Myths:
Blindness is a common result of diabetes.
Facts:
Only 6 percent of diabetics lose their vision. Blindness is largely preventable if patient and the medical team work together diligently. This includes proper use of medications, daily blood sugar testing, correct lifestyle habits, diet and supplementation.
Certain nutrients such as Gymnema Sylvestra, Vanadyl Sulfate,
Lutein, Zeaxanthin, a number of vitamins & enzymes, and fish
oil may help Diabetic Retinopathy and preserve vision.
See self help & prevention.
Overview:
Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding complication of diabetes that damages the eye's retina. It affects half of all Americans diagnosed with diabetes.
At first, you may notice no change in your vision. But don't let diabetic retinopathy fool you. It could get worse over the years and threaten your good vision. With timely treatment, 90 percent of those with advanced diabetic retinopathy can be saved from going blind.
Symptoms:
- Blurred vision
- Excessive urination
- Excessive thirst and hunger
- Fatigue, itching, and skin infections
Causes:
- Type I Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes) develops when the body produces too little insulin. This condition generally starts in childhood.
- Type II Diabetes (Adult-Onset Diabetes) develop over many years, and is caused by the body either not producing enough insulin or not being able to utilize the insulin produced effectively.
Conventional Treatment:
There are two treatments for diabetic retinopathy:
- Laser Surgery is used to treat macula edema and proliferative retinopathy (advanced diabetic retinopathy). One type of laser treatment is "focal laser treatment", which seals the leaking vessels. Generally, laser surgery is used to stabilize vision, not necessarily to improve it.
The second type of laser surgery is "scatter laser treatment", used for proliferative retinopathy. This treatment shrinks the abnormal blood vessels. Often this can result in side vision loss.
- Vitrectomy is an eye operation performed if you have a lot of blood in the vitreous (back of the eye). It involves removing the cloudy vitreous and replacing it with a salt solution. Early vitrectomy is especially effective in people with insulin-dependent diabetes, who may be at a greater risk of blindness from a hemorrhage into the eye.
Complementary Treatment:Shopping Tips
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On a tight budget?
Here's our single most important recommendation:
Doctor's Choice:
Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula -
Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle
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Essential: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula -
Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle Essential: Grapeseed Extract -
Each bottle contains 120 - 100 mg capsules. Grape Seed Extract is a powerful free radical scavenger. Essential: Carlsons Super Omega-3 250 - 1000 mg gelcaps -
Omega-3 250 gelcaps 1,000mg per gelcap - Natural Lemon Flavor Essential: Alpha R-Lipoic Acid 60 - 50mg vcaps -
Alpha R-Lipoic Acid 60 - 50mg vcapsules (bioactive ALA) Essential: Retinal Support - 2oz -
based on classic Kidney and Spleen Chinese medicine formulas to help support the retina by building blood, improving circulation, eliminating dampness, and strengthening overall energy. Essential: GlycoEase Sublingual Formula -
helps improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar and supports the pancreas. Very Important: Bilberry Extract (liquid form) 2 oz bottle -
2 oz Bilberry Leaf & Berry - improves circulation in the blood vessels of the eye. Important: Microcurrent Stimulation 100ile Purchase Option -
helps stimulate energy production (ATP) in the retina, improve circulation and reduce waste build-up. Helpful: Dr. Grossman's Combo (Both Formulas) -
Best Deal - get both of Dr. Grossman's whole food formulas for just $57.90, a savings of $18.55 from retail prices monthly on Automatic delivery. Can be modified or cancelled at any time. Helpful: Serrazimes(R) 33 mg 90 vcaps -
Serrazimes(R) 33 mg 90 vcaps Helpful: Fruits N Greens 180 gm -
180 gram organic formula loaded with fruits, vegetables and herbs. Helpful: MacuHealth with LMZ -
90 capsules (3 month supply) with10mg of meso-zeanthin per capsule. Meso-zeanthin is an essential antioxidant found in the macula (center of the retina). Recommended Vitamins, Supplements, Herbs & Other Nutritional ProductsSince we consider most eye conditions to be a reflection of the health of the whole body, lifestyle choices and diet can play a major factor in getting and maintaining good vision. Below are some recommendations:
Diet & Nutrition
- Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin such as Dr. Grossman's Whole Food Multivitamin and/or a good green drink such as Nanogreens.
- The Vision Diet - recommended in Natural Eye Care: An Encyclopedia on CD. This CD covers 29 major eye conditions including diabetic retinopathy with specific nutrient, diet, exercise and juicing instructions by eye condition, plus much more.
- Daily juicing of vegetables and fruits (preferably organic). Our diabetes recipe is some combination of the following: ginger, garlic, asparagus, leeks, spinach, jerusalem artichokes, parsley, pumpkin, beets, celery, cabbage, carrots, chlorophyll, raspberries (not too much fruit). See more information on juicing.
- Drink 6-8 glasses of purified water daily.
- Eat cold water fish (including mackerel, salmon, sardines) two to three times a week.
- Increase fiber in your diet, and eat meals slowly.
- Reduce or eliminate refined sugars, drinking caffeine and sodas
- Avoid aspartame (labeled diet foods)
- Avoid man-made fats (corn oil and safflower oil, trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils including canola oil).
- Eliminate deep fat fried foods
- Avoid monosodium glutanate (MSG) used as a flavor enhancer which is a potential retinal toxin (Inv Oph 1996; 37: 1618-24), and fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22).
- Take digestive aids (natural form) if needed to improve digestion.
Lifestyle Changes
- Limit your alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine at night. Alcohol interferes with liver functions, reducing protective glutathione levels (Alcohol 1993;10;469-75).
- Eliminate smoking. Smoking among other things produces cyanide, a retinal toxin.
- Avoid cortisone which elevates blood sugar.
- Limit the amount of medications (both prescription and non-prescription as much as possible. Make sure to work closely with your doctor.
- Exercise daily - do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Walking and swimming are two excellent forms of exercise.
- Manage your stress - very important in maintaining physical health. Try meditation, yoga, tai chi, walks in nature, or prayer on a daily basis.
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