Increased Eye Pressure Noted in Musicians

Glaucoma can be associated with increased pressure in the eyes (though not always – one can have glaucoma without elevated intraocular pressure and vice versa).

A team of Scottish and German scientists have found that people who play brass and woodwind instruments can experience elevated eye pressure, a condition that these scientists do link to glaucoma.

Previous studies have found that high-resistance instruments such as the oboe were linked to increased eye pressure, but this is the first to note that lower-resistance instruments like the clarinet can also be linked to the potentially dangerous spike in pressure.  The study included 52 professional musicians playing in real life conditions.  The highest increases in pressure were noted in brass musicians when they played loud, high notes.

Source: https://www.gcu.ac.uk/sls/newsevents/news/bydate/2011/1/name,20760,en.html

 

Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy Linked to Oxidative Stress

 

Fuchs dystrophy is a slowly progressing disease that occurs when endothelial cells gradually deteriorate without any apparent reason.  Eventually, it causes the cornea to swell and makes vision distorted.

A study published in The American Journal of Pathology indicates that oxidative stress plays a part in the onset of Fuchs corneal dystrophy.  People affected with the disease showed much higher levels of oxidative DNA damage in their eyes that the control group that did not have the disease.  Source: Elsvierhealth.com

Antioxidants are well known to play a vital role in eye health.  Extensive studies have shown that taking antioxidants in the form of food and nutritional supplements can help prevent and even reverse such eye conditions as macular degeneration, and cataracts.

Learn more about how to treat Fuch’s dystrophy naturally.

Eggs Provide Nutrients and Ward Off Eye Disease

A new study further supports the benefits of eating eggs.

Michigan State University researchers sought to determine how eggs might be part of a healthy diet and also determine the impact egg consumption may have on cholesterol.  Egg eaters showed higher levels of such vital nutrients as vitamins B12, A, E, and C.  The study does remind us to enjoy eggs in moderation – four eggs per week is optimal.  Eating more than four eggs per week can lead to increased cholesterol.

Source: maculardegenerationassociation.org

Eating eggs can also help prevent a number of eye conditions including macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Vitamin C

In many parts of the world, especially in Europe and Asia, the value of vitamin C is well known.  It is considered to be an important part of routine glaucoma treatment. It lowers pressure in the eye by lessening fluid production within the eyeball and improving the circulation of aqueous humor, as toxins are removed, from the eye.  Vitamin C also improves the metabolism of collagen which is possibly an underlying cause of glaucoma.

Learn more about how the nutrients in eggs and other foods can increase your eye health and overall health.

Eye Exams For Children

Children need eye exams too, and, according to a new paper published in Pediatrics it is important that they get checked before they start school.  The US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend that kids visit an eye doctor at least once between ages 3 and 5.  There is some debate as to whether exams for children between 1 and 3 are beneficial and likely to uncover problems.

The main concern is amblyopia, often called “lazy eye.”  It affects 2-4% of preschool children and is optimally treated, often with eye patching, between ages 3 and 5.  Tests also rule out strabismus and refractive errors.

There has been some professional debate regarding the efficacy of testing young children’s eyes, but there seems to be some consensus that newer testing technology does make these early exams a good idea.

Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/736518?src=rss

Acupuncture Relieves Depression, Allergies, Eye Disease

Acupuncture
image by Kyle Hunter

Depression often emerges in post-menopausal women, but a new study out of Norway shows that many women find relief through regular acupuncture sessions.

Previous research found a connection between the occurrence of hot flashes and the emergence of depression, so this study focused on 72 women suffering from sever hot flashes.  At the start of the study 30% reported depression symptoms.  At the end of 12 weeks the rate of participants with depression had fallen to 14%.  Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21242821

Acupuncture is also known to help relieve allergies.

The topic of eye health and how Chinese Medicine (including acupuncture) can help improve eye health is so rich, we wrote the book on it.

Heart Health Depends on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: New Study

There’s even more science to back up the claim that eating fruits and vegetables will help you fight heart disease.

The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition has published a paper on heart health.  Researchers indicate that those who eat at least 8 servings of fruits and vegetables each day are 22% less likely to die of heart disease.  A “serving” is equal to a small banana, a medium apple, or a small carrot.

One theory is that the antioxidant micronutrients in fruits and veggies reduce the oxidative damage that causes hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. At the same time, it is important not just to take antioxidant supplements but to eat the whole food as other compounds in fruits and vegetables also may protect the heart.

Source: TheHeart.org

Learn more about the nutrients available in whole food sources.

Also learn about other ways, besides diet, that you can keep your heart health and avoid atherosclerosis.

Intraocular Lenses for Cataracts: Yellow and Orange Filter UV Radiation Best

If you’re considering cataract surgery and are looking to block your eyes’ exposure to UV radiation your best bets are yellow or orange filters.  A study published in Ophthalmology, which specifically focused on intraocular lenses (most commonly used to replace the eyes’ lenses after cataract surgery), found that yellow and orange filters were best when exposed to both sunlight and artificial light.

The researchers concluded that, on the whole, most IOLs did a decent job of blocking both UVC and UVB light.

Source: Ophthalmology Times Europe

Though sometimes cataracts can be so far advanced that surgery is necessary, there is a lot you can to prevent and treat many cataracts.  Learn more at our website.

Do 3-D Video Games Harm Children’s Eyes?

child with handheld game
image via cdc.gov

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has published a statement regarding the use of handheld 3-D games by children under age 6.

Nintendo recently started warning parents that young children could compromise their vision if they look at the 3-D games for long periods.  The AAO does not seem to think that warning is completely warranted:

At this time there are no conclusive studies on the short- and/or long-term effects of 3-D digital products on eye and visual development, health, or function in children, nor are there persuasive, conclusive theories on how 3-D digital products could cause damage in children with healthy eyes. The development of normal 3-D vision in children is stimulated as they use their eyes in day-to-day social and natural environments, and this development is largely complete by age three years.  Source:  AAO

Editor’s Note: Rather than worry about whether your young kids’ video games should contain 3-D graphics, why not get them to play outside instead?  A 2009 study comparing Australian children to children from Singapore showed that the Australian kids, who spent a lot more time outdoors were dramatically less likely to suffer from myopia or nearsightedness.

Cranberries in Pure Form Can Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

The latest findings of people unsuccessfully trying to prevent recurring urinary tract infections by drinking cranberry juice cocktail are no big surprise.  The study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, showed that college-aged women who drank 8 ounces of 27% cranberry juice beverages were no less likely to suffer from recurring UTIs than there peers who drank a placebo drink.  Source: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

In order to get the true benefits of cranberry, which other research has shown prevents E. coli, the bacteria that causes most urinary tract infections, from attaching to the walls of the bladder, it is important to drink the juice in a purer form than that found in most grocery stores.  To guarantee the potency of the cranberries you take to prevent UTIs, try a high quality, pure supplement. Remember, cranberry extract is not a substitute for the use of antibiotics when fighting acute infections.

Learn more about how to prevent urinary tract infections naturally.

Tai Chi Helps Seniors’ Balance and Reduces Falls

At Natural Eye Care, we recommend stress reduction techniques as a way to promote eye health.  At the top of our list is the practice of tai chi.  Not only does tai chi help to calm the mind and the body, it has also been shown to prevent falls in older adults.

A study in the journal Alternative Therapies offers a review of several studies that describe the efficacy of a regular tai chi practice for older adults looking to improve balance and, as  result, reduce the risk of injury from falls.  Researchers concluded that tai chi does reduce fall risks but that more research is necessary to determine what kind of tai chi is most effective.  Source: Alternative Therapies

Learn more about how to prevent and treat eye disease at our website.