With drier weather of windy fall and cold winter, added to our hours on the computer, come increased dry, burning, and itchy eyes, known as dry eye syndrome. This is the number one complaint that eye doctors hear from patients. Most of us experience it at least from time to time.
Some nutrients and formulations are especially helpful. Continue reading “What Goes Into Dry Eye Formulations?”
Macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy have something in common. Although the indirect causes may be different, a consequence of untreated AMD or untreated diabetes is similar. Untreated, both conditions may result in macular microbleeding, in which abnormal capillaries develop (angiogenesis) that leak fluid or blood into the retina. A holistic approach may reduce the risk of the development of abnormal blood vessels bleeding into the retina and destroying vision
Let’s consider dry and wet (advanced) macular degeneration. AMD is basically a form of “starvation of the retina,” particularly the age-related form, in which essential nutrients are not reaching their target. Insufficient delivery can be due to some combination of a poor diet, lack of exercise, issues with absorption, poor circulation, candida, or chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Since the function of blood is to deliver oxygen and nutrients, one might reasonably think that growing new blood vessels would improve the ‘starvation’ issue, and that would be the intention of angiogenesis, but it’s not quite that simple. Angiogenesis occurs in an effort to deliver deficient nutrients to the retina, but unfortunately, these blood vessels are poor in quality and end up leaking. They also distort the delicate structure of the macula.
This super antioxidant provides essential support for the optic nerve, brain, lens, cornea, retina/macula, the brain, and mitochondria.
What is so special about glutathione? This amino acid is considered a super antioxidant. It is one of the few nutrients that can neutralize the full spectrum of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are molecules missing an electron in the outer orbit; they ‘steal’ an electron from a healthy cell causing that cell to atrophy and die. Glutathione has an extra electron, binds with free radicals, and neutralizes them.
Glutathione is concentrated in the brain, supports the eye’s lens, retina/macula, cornea, detoxifies, and can be produced by the body — but production declines as we age and/or in the face of poor diet, environmental toxins, stress, trauma, some medications, infections, etc.
Continue reading “Glutathione – The Mother of All Antioxidants”
Looking for detailed information on a specific eye condition? Natural Eye Care is releasing a series of Mini-Books. Each short book focuses on a specific eye condition, such as Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Dry Eyes, and Eye Floaters. These self-help books explore natural ways to help protect and support healthy vision. Discover specific nutrients, diet, exercise, essential oils, Chinese medicine, and more. The cost of each book is $14.95 in paperback, or $9.95, coming soon, as an pdf file e-book. Continue reading “New! Natural Eye Care Series of Mini-Books on Eye Disease and Conditions”
The Natural Eye Care Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts. This biweekly audio show is hosted by Holistic Optometrist Dr. Marc Grossman, O.D., LAc. Listen as Dr. Grossman discusses vision problems, eye health, and other general health issues. Dr. Grossman has 40+ years of experience helping patients with eye problems ranging from mild to severe. He helps patients with eye conditions, including dry eyes, myopia, macular degeneration, glaucoma. Continue reading “Natural Eye Care Podcast with Dr. Marc Grossman on Apple Podcasts”
Many of us wear a mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but could eye protection such as a face shield also help? Science is close to proving connections between coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the eye. When may it be helpful to shield the eyes?
Other viruses are known to infect the tissues covering the whites of the eye and inside the eyelid – the conjunctiva. Most of the conjunctiva is exposed to the air, and thus vulnerable to viral attack. Some COVID-19 patients have SARS-CoV-2 infections in the eyes. The virus may have entered the body through this conjunctivitis. To attack the eye, the virus needs to attach to certain types of cells. Continue reading “Can a Face Shield Protect My Eyes from Coronavirus/COVID-19?”
Researchers have found that certain supplement combinations actually modify how genes and proteins affect the behavior of white blood cells in the retina. They are investigating the reasons why certain supplements are helpful against macular degeneration. The answer may be that compounds in the supplements regulate the white blood cells (macrophage phenotypes).[1. Rinsky B, Hagbi-Levi S, Elbaz-Hayoun S, Grunin M, Chowers I. (2017). Characterizing the Effect of Supplements on the Phenotype of Cultured Macrophages From Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Mol Vis. Dec 6;23:889-899.]
Seniors in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can become desperate to slow down the eye disease’s progression. The eye doctor typically suggests quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting exercise, and getting regular eye exams.
Continue reading “How to Slow Macular Degeneration Progression”
The Dry Eye Show recently interviewed Dr. Marc Grossman, O.D. L.Ac. Host Dr. Travis Zigler, OD, FAAO, FSLS asked Dr. Grossman about holistic approaches to dry eyes, blepharitis, and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). This 45-minute video also covers tips for keeping the eyes healthy. It even walks through an 8-week program to get your eyes feeling better than ever.
Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions among seniors. A cataract results in clouding the vision, and eventually causes blindness if not treated. The conventional approach to cataracts is to wait and see if it gets worse. When a cataract is advanced, an eye surgeon usually offers cataract surgery. Cataract surgery uses artificial lenses that correct any clouding due to a cataract. It can correct certain refraction errors at the same time. However, not everyone is a good fit for this treatment. Which nutrients help promote healthy lenses and overall eye health? What does recent research into cataract pharmacotherapy show? And, which combinations of nutrients are the most effective for lens support? Continue reading “Nutrients for Cataracts: New Research, New Package”
More of us experience computer eye fatigue than ever before. We spend more time on the computer or on our digital devices. Technically, digital eye strain is marked by eye discomfort, digital disturbance such as light flashes, double vision, difficulty in focusing, etc, or headaches and migraines. In the case of any sudden change in your vision it is important to consult your medical professional.
But the generic sort of eye strain that most of us experience is often simply characterized by eye fatigue, stiff neck, sort back, irritability, or headaches. There are a number of factors that contribute: Continue reading “3 Tips for Computer Eye Strain”