Facts:
Certain nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, vinpocetine,
l-lysine, a number of vitamins & enzymes, and fish oil may help
with light sensitivity and help preserve vision as well.
See Self Help Tips
Overview:
Light Sensitivity (Photophobia) is a condition where your eyes are overly sensitive to light, possibly causing pain, tearing and discomfort. When light enters the eyes, it causes a chemical reaction in the back of the eyes. This reaction, effecting the rods and cones, allows us to adapt to differences between light and dark. The light sensitivity is the result of the rods and cones not recovering efficiently.
Symptoms:
- Excessive sensitivity to light
Causes:
Frequently, individuals with light colored eyes and skin are more sensitive to light. Other causes of sensitivity may be due to the following:
- Deficiency of beta carotene and lutein.
- Thyroid condition
- Diabetes
Drugs that can cause light sensitivity (see "Drugs That Harm the Eyes" for a more complete list of harmful drugs:)
- Certain antibiotics
- Anti-malarial drugs
- Antihistamines
- Blood pressure medications
- Digoxin - is used for heart failure or heart irregularity
- Photosensitizing drugs
Conventional Treatment:
Sunglasses. Note that it is important to first try to find out if there is an underlying cause for the light sensitivity such as a thryoid problem or diabetes. A thorough eye exam is recommended to evaluate the health of the eye.
Complementary Treatment:Shopping Tips
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Vision Tone Formula is based on the classic Chinese formula Six-Ingredient Pill Helpful: Clear Focus -
Clear Focus is a liquid based sublingual formula containing Bilberry, Lutein, Ginkgo Biloba and Zeaxanthin. Helpful: Dr. Grossman's Combo (Both Formulas) -
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180 gram organic formula loaded with fruits, vegetables and herbs. Recommended Vitamins, Supplements, Herbs & Other Nutritional Products
Diet & Nutrition
- The Vision Diet - recommended in Natural Eye Care: An Encyclopedia on CD, authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac. and Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac. This CD covers 29 major eye conditions including Photophobia with specific nutrient, diet, exercise and juicing instructions by eye condition, plus much more.
- Consume dark green vegetables such as spinach and collards, which are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients vital for healthy eyes.
- Limit drinking (a glass of red wine daily is fine)
- Avoid hydrogenated oils, excessive intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar
- Supplement your diet with an excellent eye multivitamin such as Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula and an organic green drink daily such as
Nanogreens
Lifestyle & General Health
- Avoid smoking
- Increase your driving vision- clean your headlights
- Slow down. That way, you give yourself more time to react to any unexpected hazards.
- Always wear sunglasses outside, especially on bright days. (Blue and green eyed people are particularly sensitive to potential sun-induced damage, so the use of eye protection is paramount). Amber and grey lenses are the most effective protection against UVA/UVA and blue light.
- Get prescription glasses for driving at night if needed (see your eye doctor to determine if they would be helpful).
- When driving at night, look to the right. Look at the roadway's edge to the right to help you avoid the glare of oncoming headlights.
- Leave the driving till tomorrow. Drive only during the day. Even good lighting conditions at night, such as found in a big city, can be troublesome to someone with night blindness.
Studies:
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