Natural Eye Care Blog: News & Research on Vision

Quit Smoking to Help Your Heart & Prevent Macular Degeneration

The American Journal of Cardiology has just published a study describing how cigarette smokers with coronary heart disease an greatly benefit from kicking the smoking habit.

The importance of smoking cessation is well documented, but this study goes as far as to say that people who currently smoke are 57% more likely to suffer a major cardiovascular event than those who have quit smoking. Source: https://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Lifestyle/smoking_cessation_reduces_heart_disease_risk_1226100122.html

Studies have also proven that smoking cessation can reduce one’s risk of developing macular degeneration.

Learn more macular degeneration research at our website.

Antioxidant Oregano Oil Fights Bacteria and Even Cancer

Oil of oregano contains compounds that can kill bacteria and even fight cancer causing agents.

Carvacrol found in oregano oil has been found to reduce the formation of cancer causing compounds that form when the temperature of beef is raised in the cooking process. It turns out that oregano oil has antioxidant properties can stop the creatine in the beef from reacting with other molecules to potentially cause cancer in those who eat it.

Researchers are also studying oregano oil’s anti-microbial properties to see how it can help fight e-coli outbreaks. Source: https://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=10562&Section=Nutrition

We believe in the power of oregano oil and sell it in our store.

Home Remedies Catch Medical Community Attention AND Cures for Dark Circles

The best remedy doesn’t always come from the pharmacy. In fact, it usually DOESN’T come from the pharmacy.

A new book called the Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies supports the belief that the best way to heal many illnesses is to look in your refrigerator, cabinets, or garden. Source: https://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=10568&Section=Nutrition

One common eye complaint that responds well to at-home treatments is dark circles under the eyes. Here are a few ideas:

Tea Bag Treatment: Try applying a cold compress of rosemary tea to increase circulation, which helps reduce swelling around the eyes. Make tea by bringing a half-cup of fresh rosemary and a quart of water to a boil. Steep for 20 minutes, then strain and chill. Soak a washcloth in the tea, ring out extra liquid anal place over eyes for 15 to 20 minutes, once a day, as needed.
Freeze some parsley in ice cubes. Use the parsley cubes instead of eye creams to diminish dark circles and puffiness. Parsley is packed with chlorophyll which helps fade darkness, while the ice cubes reduce the swelling.
Apply a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice for dark circles under the eyes.

For more hints on getting rid of dark circles and puffy eyes, visit our website.

People Skip Eye Exams Despite Having Known Eye Diseases

Skipping Due to Cost of Care

Are you among the growing number of Americans who are skipping regular visits to the eye doctor due to the cost of care?

A survey by the Center for Disease Control of over 11,5000 adults over 40 shows that nearly 40% skipped opportunities for regular eye care due to lack of money or insurance coverage. After age 65, only 23.3% blame lack of insurance for missing their annual eye exams.

Researchers were especially worried by seniors: nearly 44% said they didn’t need to visit an eye doctor – these people have the highest incidence of vision problem. The researchers noted that many seniors feel that poor vision is normal and there’s nothing to be done about it. Previous studies have demonstrated that primary care providers don’t consider vision important enough to pay attention.

SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 20, 2011 via http://www.medicinenet.com

Skipping Even With Known Problems

An article in the New York Times highlights how many Americans are not making it to their annual eye exams – even those who know they are at risk of developing or have already developed an eye disease. A study by Lighthouse International shows that 86% of people with known eye conditions do not make it to the eye doctor each year.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com

Blueberries Can Improve Memory and Prevent Eye Disease

A new study of lab rats recently published in the journal Nutrition shows that blueberries can increase memory.

One month of a blueberry rich diet made older rats perform as well as young rats on memory tests and the benefits lasted even after they stopped eating the blueberry diet.

Researchers credit the power of antioxidants with this increase brain performance.
Source: nutraingredients

We also know that antioxidants in blueberries and their cousins the bilberry can help improve and maintain eye health. Antioxidants can help prevent and treat macular degeneration and cataracts.

Ginseng Supports Eye Health and May Boost Brain Function

In the formulas that I have created to support my patients’ and clients’ eye health I have included the herb ginseng because I know it helps improve heart and immune function. It strengthens the immune system and is an excellent herb for overall health. After all, the health of the eyes is inextricably connected to the health of the entire body.

Brain Function & Ginseng

In a study that appeared in The Cochrane Library revealed that some people may experience increased brain function when taking ginseng. According to lead researcher JinSong Geng, M.D, “Ginseng appears to have some beneficial effects on cognition, behavior and quality of life.” At the same time, the authors do not believe they have enough evidence to recommend people start taking the herb in therapeutic doses in hopes of improving brain health. Source:https://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22336

We do know that it supports the health of the retina, however. Learn more about Diabetic Retinopathy, often a side effect of diabetes.

Diabetic Retinopathy & Brain Function

Interestingly, research announced at Diabetes UK’s Annual Professional Conference links Diabetic retinopathy with poorer memory and diminished brain power in people with Type 2 diabetes. It has yet to be determined whether the advance of cerebral microvascular disease, as indexed by retinopathy, leads to cognitive decline or whether poorer mental acuity makes it more difficult to manage diabetes symptoms and leads to a worsening of the disease. According to Jie Ding from the University of Edinburgh, “It is also possible that a third unidentified factor is causing both diabetic retinopathy and the cognitive changes.” Source: medicalnewstoday.com/

Prevent Macular Degeneration With Diet, Exercise, and Smoking Cessation

It’s great when medical studies support what we have been telling our patients and clients for years.

A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology describes how a good diet, regular exercise, and the avoidance of smoking can reduce one’s risk of developing early age-related macular degeneration. The study revealed that there was little difference in whether one smoked for a long time or only briefly; any history of smoking puts you in the higher risk category. The findings are based on a study of 1313 participants ranging in age from 55 to 74 years. Source: Medscape

Learn more about how prevention is the best medicine when you want to ward off eye disease and other conditions.

For more about how you can prevent and treat macular degeneration, please visit our website.

Prevent Cataracts and Auto Accidents With Good Sunglasses

Do you trade in your prescription lenses for a pair of drug store sunglasses on days when the glare is bothering you? A new study by eyeglass lens maker Essilor of America finds that 20% of people will drive without any corrective eyewear on sunny days because they do not have prescription sunglasses. The source for this story, www.medicalnewstoday.com, goes on to describe the importance of polarized lenses, especially when driving in high-glare situations.

Protecting your eyes from the sun is a key part of our eye disease prevention protocol. Cataracts can be caused by exposure to sunlight, so always remember your sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection whenever outside in the sun.

Protect Your Eyes At Work: Computer Eye Strain

The Vision Council recently published Eye Safety At-a-Glance: Protecting Your Vision at Work.

Almost 2000 Americans suffer eye injuries in the course of each work day. This study focuses on the importance of using safety eye wear and having emergency eyewash stations available. Source: Medical News Today

One thing that the study does not mention is the importance of protecting your eyes not from projectiles or chemicals but from computer eye strain.

So many of us spend our days starting at computer screens and this activity can lead to eye fatigue, headaches, and even glaucoma.

Learn about how to prevent and treat computer eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, at our website.

Green Tea Could Help Combat Diseases of the Eye

Researchers in China say studies in rats indicate substances in green tea may protect against eye diseases such as glaucoma. Scientists led by Chi Pui Pang of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Eye Hospital confirmed green tea substances — known for antioxidant and disease-fighting properties — were absorbed in the lens, retina and other eye tissue.

The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, suggested until now it was not known if green tea substances actually passed from the gastrointestinal tract into eye tissue. The researchers analyzed the eye tissue of laboratory rats that drank green tea and found several “catechins” in green tea that contain antioxidants — including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin — were absorbed by the eye in significant amounts. The researchers said green tea catechins reduced harmful oxidative stress in the eye for up to 20 hours.

“Our results indicate that green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative stress,” the study researchers said in a statement. Reported in April, 2010 ACS’ bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Editor’s Note: Catechins such as those found in green tea are among a number of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin, thought to help protect the delicate tissues of the eye from glaucoma and other eye ailments.

Learn more about how to prevent and treat glaucoma naturally.