As the New Year approaches, resolve to improve your vision health. Dr. Marc Grossman and Michael Edson, co-authors of Natural Eye Care 2nd Edition, developed this checklist of New Year resolutions for vision health. Pick one or more resolution. Regardless of your age, you can reduce your risk of developing eye disease. Eye disease such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma are prevalent in seniors. A few simple steps can help preserve the precious gift of sight. Continue reading “New Year’s Resolutions for Vision Health”
Category: Exercise
Save Your Vision at All Stages in Life
How can you save your vision regardless of your age? Eye disease is prevalent in seniors; however, people of all ages can take steps to protect their eyes. Here is Natural Eye Care’s guide to preserving the precious gift of sight.
At All Ages
Wear Sunglasses: The earth’s atmosphere has thinned, exposing our eyes to more ultraviolet light whenever we are outdoors. Wear 100% UVA/UVB protecting sunglasses when you are outside in the Continue reading “Save Your Vision at All Stages in Life”
Aerobic Exercise Changes the Brain
A recent study found that aerobic exercise had a larger positive effect on the brain than stretching alone.[1. Radiological Society of America Press Release, November 30, 2016. “Aerobic Exercise Preserves Brain Volume and Improves Cognitive Function.” Suzanne Craft, Ph.D., Youngkyoo Jung, Ph.D., and Christopher T. Whitlow, M.D., Ph.D.] The volume of the brain increased, according to MRIs. Also, the aerobic exercise group had a significant improvement on executive brain functioning tests. The researchers are hoping to find ways to head off or reduce the impact of Alzheimer’s Disease in seniors.
The study subjects all had mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a risk Continue reading “Aerobic Exercise Changes the Brain”
Keep Your Eyes Young and Healthy: Avoid Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma
As we age, our chances of developing a serious vision problem increase significantly. More than half of people over the age of 70 years old have an eye condition such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration; people with diabetes often develop diabetic retinopathy. These limiting conditions decrease the quality of life. Being a retired senior means having time to enjoy life, read, travel, play golf, enjoy hobbies, and socialize with friends and family. However, participating in these activities requires clear vision.
We can learn to help preserve our vision and to become active Continue reading “Keep Your Eyes Young and Healthy: Avoid Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma”
Two Eye Exercises for Computer Eye Strain
Americans are spending at least 5 hours per day close-up looking at computers, tablets and smartphones.[1. https://bgr.com/2014/05/29/smartphone-computer-usage-study-chart/] However, our eyes were not designed for extended hours of close-up work. In the same way that we need regular physical exercises, we also need eye exercises. We evolved as hunter-gathers, and our eyes are made to scan the landscape. Modern technology has resulted in wide-spread computer eye strain. Symptoms include short-term dry eyes, worsening farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism, eye focusing disorders and poor eye coordination. Continue reading “Two Eye Exercises for Computer Eye Strain”
The Effects of Exercise on Vision Health: Glaucoma, Cataracts, AMD and Others
Eye health is important for quality of life. Regular exercise has many significant benefits, including supporting healthy vision. This is especially true for seniors, who are most at risk for eye disease. While you cannot control all risk factors, sedentary behavior is a risk factor you CAN control. Avoiding tobacco and eating a healthy diet are also under your control. Genetics have an influence: a much higher percentage of African Americans have vision loss from glaucoma; non-Hispanic Whites top the charts in Age-Related Macular Degeneration vision loss[1. https://www.aao.org/eye-disease-statistics ].
Exercise reduces oxidative stress, a significant factor in the development of eye Continue reading “The Effects of Exercise on Vision Health: Glaucoma, Cataracts, AMD and Others”
Glaucoma Tips Based on Current Research Studies
Lifestyle can have a significant impact on the progression of glaucoma. Patients should follow their ophthalmologist’s advice. Also, research has shown that certain behavioral changes can help preserve vision. Natural Eye Care offers these tips.
Get Moving to Fight Glaucoma
If you are sedentary and have a glaucoma diagnosis, you can expect strong benefits from becoming active. A meta analysis[1. Clin J Sport Med. 2014 Sep;24(5):364-72. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000073. Reductions in intraocular pressure after acute aerobic exercise: a meta-analysis. By Roddy G et. al.] showed that exercise reduced intraocular pressure in patients. The effect was largest on those who were sedentary Continue reading “Glaucoma Tips Based on Current Research Studies”
Diabetic Macular Edema and Supplemental Oxygen
The role of supplemental oxygen in diabetic macular edema was the subject of a pilot study in 2004. Diabetic macular edema or DME is a side-effect of diabetes. DME occurs when retinal blood vessels leak into the macula apparently trying to provide more oxygen to the retina. This leakage causes swelling, which, in turn, causes part of central vision to become blurred.
Oxygen Therapy
The study gave 5 DME patients supplemental oxygen using a standard oxygen supplying device called a nasal cannula (see photo). The patients were tested before, during and after three months of oxygen therapy. The results showed a significant reduction in excess foveal thickness and Continue reading “Diabetic Macular Edema and Supplemental Oxygen”
Eye Disease in Seniors & Age 40+ Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration
Middle-aged people and seniors are far more likely to develop Macular Degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy than those in their youth. It is true that some eye diseases strike the young. These tend to be genetically-based diseases, and they are rare. The incidence of eye diseases in the United States goes up dramatically with age: Continue reading “Eye Disease in Seniors & Age 40+ Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration”
Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Complete Overview from Natural Eye Care
Retinal Vein Occlusion is the blockage of veins that drain blood from the retina in the eye. The eye circulatory system depends on releasing blood back to the heart after it has nourished the retina. When the vein is blocked, hemorrhaging occurs, damaging the retina. It is typically caused by atherosclerosis, a common condition especially in older people that damages the arteries. “Occlusion” means the blockage or closing of a blood vessel.
Symptoms and How Retinal Vein Occlusion Is Diagnosed
A sudden change in vision may indicate retinal vein occlusion.
- A blurred or missing area of vision is the most common, indicating a branch vein occlusion
- Less commonly, there is a severe loss of central vision, associated with a central vein becoming blocked.
Any sudden vision changes should be reported Continue reading “Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Complete Overview from Natural Eye Care”