Looking at the eyes from a holistic, integrated perspective gives us the best opportunity to maintain our whole body, eye, and brain health. Whole body means the relationship between the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. This perspective has been the good health foundation for thousands of years in Chinese and ayurvedic medicine, as well as more recent holistic practices such as homeopathy and functional medicine. Continue reading “Homeopathy and the Eyes”
Untreated dry eye syndrome can cause permanent eye damage,[2. Verjee MA, Brissette AR, Starr CE. (2020). Dry Eye Disease: Early Recognition with Guidance on Management and Treatment for Primary Care Family Physicians. Ophthalmol Ther. Dec;9(4):877-88.] particularly to the cornea.
Relief for Dry Eyes
Dry eye syndrome affects up to 49 million Americans. It is an epidemic partially the result of excessive computer and cell phone use. Studies have shown that people who use computers, smart phones and tablets are at greater risk for dry eye syndrome,[1. Al-Mohtaseb Z, Schachter S, Shen Lee B, et al. (2021). The Relationship Between Dry Eye Disease and Digital Screen Use. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15:3811-20.] at least partially due to the fact that they blink less during computer usage, reducing the protective tear film over the surface of the cornea.
Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eyes are a condition of the entire body, not just the eyes. Women approaching or in menopause commonly suffer from dry eyes due to hormonal changes, which also contribute to internal drying.[2. Miljanovic, B., Trivedi, K.A., Dana, M.R., Gilbard, J.P., Buring, J.E., et al. (2005). Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women. Am J Clin Nutr. Oct;82(4):887-93] The tiny tear ducts and delicate tear film require many body systems to be working correctly. Therefore, those who suffer from dry eye should consider making changes to their diet and introducing nutritional supplements. One of the most important aspects for people who suffer from dry eyes is the prohibition against sugar and artificial sweeteners. Sugar increases the risk for dry eyes. This condition has many potential causes and risk factors:
Our natural tear film is composed of:
So, when any layer of the tears is not being produced at needed levels, dry eye symptoms occur.
Nutrients that help reduce dry eye symptoms.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient present naturally in tear film of healthy eyes. Vitamin A plays an important role in production of the mucin layer, the most innermost lubricating layer of tear film that is crucial for a healthy tear film. Vitamin A deficiency leads to loss of mucin layer and goblet cell atrophy.[4. Bron AJ, Mengher LS. (1989). The ocular surface in keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Eye. 3(4):428-437.]
Oral supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFAs) may help by reducing inflammation and by altering the composition of meibomian lipids.[5. Miljanović B, Trivedi KA, Dana MR, Gilbard JP, Buring LE, et al. (2005). The relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women. Am J Clin Nut. 82(4):887–893.] Of particular interest is research showing that many of the signs and symptoms of chronic dry eye improved relatively quickly, as early as 6 weeks.
Vitamin D (vitamin D3 recommended). Not only is dry eye syndrome associated with low levels of vitamin D, but the evaporative type of dry eye syndrome is linked to changes in cornea structure (which may be linked to vitamin D deficiency).[6. Hetty R. Sethu S, Deshmukh R, Despande K, Ghosh A, et al. (2016). Corneal dendritic cell density is associated with sub-basal nerve plexus features, ocular surface disease index, and serum vitamin D in evaporative dry eye disease. BioMed Res Int, 2016:4369750.] [7. Denurcum G, Karaman ES, Ozsutcu M, Eliacik M, Olmuscelik O, et al. (2016). Dry eye assessment in patients with vitamin D deficiency. Eye Contact Lens, Sep 22.]
Evening primrose or black current oil. Black currant oil increases prostaglandin PGE1. PGE1 is a fatty compound with hormone-like effects that stimulates aqueous tear secretion and reduces the production of another prostaglandin, PGE2, which causes inflammation that contributes to dry eyes.[8. Baudouin C. (1986). Dry eye: An unexpected inflammatory disease. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol, 76: 205-206.]
Green tea extract. Patients with malfunctioning meibomian glands improved significantly compared to a control group when supplementing with this extract.
Maqui berry. Pilot studies and clinical trials[9. Yamashita SI, Suzuki N, Yamamoto K, et al. (2019). Effects of MaquiBright on improving eye dryness and fatigue in humans: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Tradit Complement Med. 2019 Jul;9(3):172-8.] [10. Hitoe S, Tanaka J, Shimoda H. (2014). MaquiBright standardized maqui berry extract significantly increases tear fluid production and ameliorates dry eye-related symptoms in a clinical pilot trial. Panminerva Med. Sep;56(3 Suppl 1):1-6.] show that an oral extract of maqui berry provides 72%-89% improvement in dry eye symptoms such as increased tear production and reduced dryness, discomfort, and eye fatigue.
Kidney yin tonic. The Kidney meridian helps with water metabolism throughout the body, supports overall energy, and helps with overall dryness (dry eyes, dry skin, dry scalp, etc.) The Rehmannia tonic is particularly recommended for women entering or going through menopause.
Liver tonic. In Chinese medicine the Liver “opens to the eyes” and supports overall eye health. It also helps with natural tear production. Revision formula is an excellent liver tonic.
Dietary Recommendations
Limit or avoid sugar and completely avoid artificial sweeteners. It is thought that excess sugar in one’s diet results in too much glucose making its way to the eyes, making it difficult for the eyes to utilize all the glucose. This may result in more dry eye symptoms and can cause diabetes. Know what you are putting into your body.
Avoid toxic fats in commercial red meats, dairy products, fried foods, and hydrogenated oils (such as margarine and shortening). These fats interfere with the proper metabolism of essential fatty acids in the body and, indirectly, cause dry eye syndrome.
Gut issues may contribute to dry eye. Try taking a high-quality probiotic to replenish the healthy flora in your gut, particularly if you have been on long-term antibiotics. Once your symptoms are under control, try switching from probiotics in pill form to real food ferments such as sauerkraut, pickles, miso, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, etc. Not only do they provide a greater variety of beneficial bacteria than can be found in a pill, but they contain many vitamins and minerals.
If inflammation is a contributing factor in your dry eye, then it is imperative to look at the possibility that your gut (leaky gut) may be the source of the inflammation, as well as imbalances in gut flora.
Juicing is an excellent way to deliver nutrients to your body. Our juicing recipe includes: · Parsley, beets, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, persimmons, lemon, green-leafy vegetables, (preferably all organic
Recommended Products:
Dry Eye Package 1 – includes Women’s Tear Stimulation Homeopathic Dry Eye Drops, Dr. Grossman’s Dry Eye & Tear Film Formula 60 softgels with omega 3, 6, and 9 and our Revision Formula – based on a classic Liver tonic used in Chinese medicine.
Dry Eye Package 2 and Dry Eye Package 3 include additional components.
Any of the products in the packages can be ordered individually as well.
Tear Stimulation Forte Homeopathic Eyedrops – for men and women
Lipo Vision Drops 15ml (.5 oz) – contains a combination of castor, sesame, and coconut oils. Best used before bedtime for chronic night time dry eyes.
Did you know that how well your gut works is directly related to your healthy vision and your healthy brain?
Healthy gut microbiota function is linked to normal central nervous system (CNS) function. The microbiota is defined as all microorganisms in a particular location, such as the GI tract, and their respective genetic material. The microbiome is initially developed transmission through the placenta, amniotic fluid, and meconium. The human gut microbiota comprises more than 100 trillion microorganisms associated with multiple functions, from nutrient metabolism to protection against pathogens. Continue reading “Gut Microbiota, Vision, and Mental Health”
When threatened, the tissues of your body respond with inflammation in order to maintain stability and permit healing. Bio-chemicals in your white blood cells increase the blood flow to the area of injury or infection causing redness, warmth, and swelling. That’s why you have a fever when sick, why your finger swells if you don’t remove a splinter promptly, or why your eyes get red and itchy when the air isn’t clean.
This is a normal process … but, and it’s a big but, when inflammation is chronic, existing all of the time, the natural inflammatory response starts to damage healthy cells, tissues, and organs. The consequences are wide-reaching, including DNA damage, and cell death. Chronic inflammation is implicated in the development of many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, dementia, cognitive decline, obesity, as well as eye diseases and conditions. Continue reading “Why Does Inflammation Cause Disease?”
Does Sunlight Danger Outweigh the Benefits?
Many studies demonstrate that exposure to sunlight provides protection to diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and a variety of cancers, and avoiding sunlight may influence their progression.[1. Razzaque MS. (2018). Sunlight exposure: Do health benefits outweigh harm? J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. Jan;175:44-48.] It has been thought that these protections are due only to vitamin D, whose creation requires sunlight, but researchers are now reporting that circadian clock influencing, immune response modification, and nitric oxide, melatonin, and serotonin formation are involved as well.[2. Van der Rhee HJ, de Vries E, Coebergh JW. (2016). Regular sun exposure benefits health. Med Hypotheses. Dec;97:34-37.] In fact, researchers are finding that the risk of skin cancer increases with irregular patterns of sun exposure, while regular patterns convey relatively lower risk. This is the difference between getting sunburned versus a brisk daily walk in the sunlight.
But too much sunlight is harmful to both eyes and skin. We know that getting sunburned increases skin cancer risk. Our vision is also directly negatively impacted by the sun and ultraviolet radiation (UVR), as well as blue light from computer screens. Continue reading “The Sun and Your Eyes: Enemy or Friend?”
Poor night vision or night blindness can be a life-limiting symptom. Night blindness can be caused by either an inherited or acquired reason. Poor night vision disorders (night blindness, impaired dark adaptation, etc.) include the experience of reduced vision in dimly lit environments, including at night. They include partial or complete impairment in ability of the eyes to adapt from brightness to darkness. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying problem, usually located in the retina. It is common for patients who are myopic (nearsighted) to have some difficulties with night vision, but this is due to optical issues rather than to a retinal condition. Symptoms include difficulty driving at night, tripping over objects when walking in the dark, and slow response when light conditions change (such as entering a dark movie theater). Photoreceptor cells in the retina allow you to see in dim lighting. When they malfunction, vision in dark conditions becomes difficult.
The photoreceptors called “rod cells” are mainly responsible for night vision. Rods can detect single photons and transmit that data to rod bipolar cells. This makes dim light information more usable to the brain. Continue reading “Poor Night Vision: What Can You Do?”
Natural Treatments for the Eyelid
For mild cases of chalazion, styes, pterygium, and blepharitis, the following are ways to naturally treat these conditions. If these issues are persistent or affecting your vision, be sure to get seen by your eye doctor.
Note that our EyeEase Formula 2 fl oz is back in stock.
Stye
A stye is a red, painful lump near the edge of your eyelid that may look like a boil or a pimple with a white dot in the center. They are the result of a bacterial infection, often a staph infection. They’re very common and most people have one at some time. Continue reading “Your Eyelids: Styes, Blepharitis, and more.”
The most common form of glaucoma is “open-angle” glaucoma, where the eye pressure or IOP remains higher than normal (typically 8-20 mm Hg). Eye doctors also look at changes in peripheral field typically measured with a visual fields test and any changes in the optic nerve such as optic nerve thinning or increased cupping. Ocular hypertension is diagnosed when IOP is higher than normal but there as no signs of glaucoma. In addition glaucoma can occur without high IOP, “normal or low tension glaucoma.”
The most common treatment for lowering eye pressure is the use of prescription eyedrops which either reduce the amount of aqueous fluid produced or increase the drainage. Often these eyedrops are effective in lowering eye pressure but do have unpleasant side effects for some people.
In some cases, medication can be avoided completely with natural approaches though it is essential that the patient get checked on a regular basis to make sure that the IOP is at recommended levels, and work closely with the eye doctor. Continue reading “Glaucoma, IOP, and Herbal Extracts”
Food for the BrainEating a healthy diet is one of the critical factors in helping both maintain good brain, eye and overall health. Also, the way we eat affects our digestion and how well we are able to breakdown and absorb the essential nutrients in the food we take in. Here are some basic recommendations.
Eat without distractions. Eat slowly without watching TV or being distracted by other activities. Continue reading “Diet and Eye, Brain and Overall Health”
Melatonin is a hormone primarily released by the pineal gland at night, and has long been associated with control of the sleep–wake cycle. It is typically taken at night before bedtime as a supplement. In addition to melatonin’s application as a sleep aid, this supplement can also be used for lowering eye pressure — such as in cases of open angle glaucoma or glaucoma suspects. Research shows melatonin may also protect the eye’s macula by supporting the functioning of the mitochondria, the tiny “batteries” in each cell. Alzheimer’s disease appears to be linked to poor quality sleep and melatonin production; therefore, melatonin may prove to be a useful supplement and research is underway. Keep reading for details plus information about supplements available on this website.
Insomnia
Melatonin is best known for helping us get to sleep. It is secreted by the pineal gland, acting as the body’s biochemical signal of biological darkness. In other words, our bodies biochemistry signals that you are ready for sleep. Blue light suppresses production of melatonin [1. Gooley JJ, Chamberlain K, Smith KA, Khalsa SB, Rajaratnam SM, et al. (2011). Exposure to Room Light before Bedtime Suppresses Melatonin Onset and Shortens Melatonin Duration in Humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Mar;96(3):E463-72.] to a surprisingly profound degree.[2. Vartanian GV, Li BY, Chervenak AP, Walch OJ, Pack W, et al. (2015). Melatonin Suppression by Light in Humans Is More Sensitive Than Previously Reported. J Biol Rhythms. Aug;30(4):351-4.]
If you are exposed to blue light right before bedtime (e.g. checking your email one more time), it throws off the internal rhythm that allows you to get adequate sleep. Nearly 75% of children now use some sort of electronic device in their bedroom. The use of these devices markedly impacts sleep quality, which in turn, contributes to social adjustment problems, behavioral problems in school and at home, and surprisingly, weight gain.
Similarly, it has been found that sleeping in a room that is not dark, also disrupts sleep, or makes it less effective in reducing fatigue and alleviating the accumulated stress of the day. Most studies found that exposure to light in the room, during sleep, reduces melatonin production by 50%.
While most research on the effects of smartphones on sleep and circadian rhythms have involved children and teens, adults are also adversely impacted. One Flemish study included more than 800 adults, 50% of whom owned smartphones, and 60% of whom used their smartphone during the night. Nighttime phone use and texting at night markedly increased how long it took to fall asleep and markedly decreased the quality, duration, and efficiency of sleep. In younger adults, nighttime electronic-device use was tied to more fatigue and later rising time. In older adults, it was associated with shorter sleep duration and earlier rise time.[3. Exelmans L, Van den Bulck J. (2016). Bedtime mobile phone use and sleep in adults. Soc Sci Med. Jan;148:93-101.]
Recommended dosage is 1mg–3mg before bedtime.
Supports the Immune System
Melatonin plays a dual role in supporting the immune system, at least partially because it helps promote glutathione levels in the body, an essential master antioxidant. It communicates with the immune system and influences white blood cells to fight infections and inflammation. Lowered levels of the super antioxidant glutathione[4. Glutathione is actually the antioxidant found in greatest quantity in the brain and found to be deficient in the brains of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients.] are present in “clinical conditions like autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders, diabetes, and microbial infections”[5. NaveenKumar SK, Hemshekhar M, Jagadish S, Manikanta K, Vishalakshi GJ, et al. (2020). Melatonin restores neutrophil functions and prevents apoptosis amid dysfunctional glutathione redox system. J Pineal Res. Oct;69(3):e12676.] which are characterized by white blood cells. In other words, melatonin protects white blood cells from free radicals by supporting normal glutathione levels.
Lowers Eye Pressure
Intraocular pressure (IOP) is usually lowest at night, which is also when natural levels of melatonin are near their high in the circadian cycle. IOP is highest in the morning when melatonin is low. There seems to be a correlation between IOP and melatonin; supplementing with melatonin may lower IOP. [6. Samples, J.R., Krause, G., Lewy, A.J. (1988). Effect of melatonin on intraocular pressure. Curr Eye Res. Jul;7(7):649-53.] [7. Alkozi HA, Navarro G, Franco R, Pintor J. (2020). Melatonin and the control of intraocular pressure. Prog Rentin Eye Res. Mar;75:100798.]
Protects the Macula
Melatonin also protects the macula, the center part of the retina which is responsible for your central vision needed for close-up work such as reading. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the loss of central vision and is caused by deterioration of the macula. A combination of melatonin (3mg), zinc (8.7mg), and selenium (50 mcg), taken before bedtime, helps stabilize AMD with some remarkable improvement in the fundus of the eye after taking the combination for 6 months. [8. Stefanova NA, ZHdankina AA, Fursova AZ, Kolosova NG. (2013). Potential of melatonin for prevention of age-related macular degeneration: experimental study (in Russian). Adv Gerontol. 2013;26(1):122-9.] [9. Yi C, Pan X, Yan H, Guo M, Pierpaoli W. (2005). Effects of melatonin in age-related macular degeneration. Ann N Y Acad Sci. Dec;1057:384-92.]
Supports Mitochondrial Functioning
A 2020 review proposed that melatonin protects the macula by supporting mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are the “energy-producers” of cells, and are essential for cellular health. As we age DNA repair functions, antioxidant activity, and lack of mitochondrial renewal lead to significant increase in free radicals. These changes cause inflammation and premature cell death in the retinal pigmented cells that protect the retina and macula.[10. Mehrzadi S, Kemati K, Reiter RJ, Hosseinzadeh A. (2020). Mitochondrial dysfunction in age-related macular degeneration: melatonin as a potential treatment. Expert Opin Ther Targets. Apr;24(4):359-378.]
Helps Night Vision
Photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells “mRGC”) release melanopsin which affects pupil dilation and adaption and suppresses melatonin[10. Bonmati-Carrion MA, Arguelles-Prieto R, Martinez-Madrid MJ, Reiter R, Hardeland R, et al. (2014). Protecting the melatonin rhythm through circadian healthy light exposure. In J Mol Sci. Dec 17;15(12):23448-500.] between dark and bright light (such as recovery after glare of an oncoming car headlights).
Melanopsin’s presence in retinal nerve cells is linked to reduced levels of melatonin and the relationship may be involved in poor night vision. At night, melatonin is secreted by rod and cone photoreceptors, functioning as a dark adaptive signal and it, in turn, modulates these photoreceptors.[11. Pack, W., Hill, D.D., Wong, K.Y., (2015). Melatonin modulates M4-type ganglion-cell photoreceptors. Neuroscience, Sep 10;303:178-88.]
Aids Alzheimer’s Disease Issues
Melatonin may be a useful agent in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Classic markers of AD include the build-up of beta amyloid plaque, as well as excessive tau protein resulting in neurofibrillary fiber build-up.[12. This is discussed in detail, along with other underlying factors and causes including natural treatment strategies, in my book Natural Brain Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Other Related Diseases Naturally.]
The production of melatonin runs parallel to AD progression. Quality of sleep is dependent upon melatonin, and it appears to be a safe and effective treatment for AD patients with sleep dysfunction.[13. Wang YY, Zheng W, Ng CH, Ungvari GS, Wei W, et al. (2017). Meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of melatonin in Alzheimer’s disease. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. Jan;32(1):50-57.] Melatonin stimulates non amyloidogenic processing and inhibits beta amyloid precursor protein processing which culminates in amyloid aggregates – a neuroprotective function in AD pathology.[14. Shukla M, Govitrapong P, Boontem P, Reiter RJ, Satayavivad J. (2017). Mechanisms of Melatonin in Alleviating Alzheimer’s Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2017;15(7):1010-1031.] It decreases AD-like tau hyperphosphorylation, protects the cholinergic system and is anti-inflammatory. It may be a useful agent in preventing and treating AD.[15. Lin L, Huang QX, Yang SS, Chu J, Wang JZ, et al. (2013). Melatonin in Alzheimer’s disease. Int J Mol Sci. Jul 12;14(7):14575-93.] Weak melatonin signaling (melatonin receptor type 1A gene) appears to contribute to the cascade of AD pathology.[16. Sulkaya S, Muggalla P, Sulkava R, Ollila HM, Peuralinna T, et al. (2018). Melatonin receptor type 1A gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease in old age. Sleep. Jul;41(7):zsy103.]
Recommended Products
NEW – Dr. Grossman’s REM Sleep Support (sublingual) Formula – great sublingual night-time formula with melatonin, and a range of other nutrients to promote a good night’s sleep.
ACG Glutathione EXTRA STRENGTH Spray 2oz. – 6-12 sprays by mouth 2 times per day.
Melatonin (50) MZS 60 x 3mg Tabs, Dr. Pierpaoli – 50 3mg tabs with zinc and selenium