Everyone is sensitive to light to some degree, but light sensitivity, or photophobia is an abnormal intolerance for light. Discomfort can be experienced from light sources such as sunlight and fluorescent or other artificial lights. It may cause the person with light sensitivity to squint or to have to close their eyes. It can cause pain and/or tears. In some cases, this may be accompanied by a headache.
The brighter the light, the greater the discomfort. Generally people
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Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder of the rheumatoid type. Rheumatoid type diseases are characterized by inflammation and pain, dry eyes and a dry mouth. There are two types. In Primary Sjogren’s syndrome, the disorder occurs without the presence of an accompanying autoimmune disorder. In Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome, it occurs in conjunction with another autoimmune disorder.
In autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system mistakes some of its own cells as foreign invaders and attacks
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From before birth to the end of your life, smoking has a radical, nasty effect on your life: not only your health, but your social and mental life as well. It impacts every aspect of your life – your vision, your health, your happiness – from the time in the womb until your old age.
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A pilot study published in Phytotherapy Research compared curcumin – derived from natural turmeric – with the drug diclofenac for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Natural curcumin actually reduced RA symptoms even better than the RA drug diclofenac: a 44% reduction in symptoms on the Disease Activity Score and the American College of Rheumatology criteria for reduction of swelling and tenderness of joins. Patients receiving diclofenac had a 42% reduction.
This is good news because curcumin has no known side-effects. Using anti-inflammatory medications over the long term sometimes has side effects that can result in stomach ulcers and damage to the kidneys. The extremely popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication Vioxx (Rofecoxib – $2.5 billion in sales in 2003) was removed from the market in 2004 due to increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.
An auto immune disorder, Sjogren’s syndrome has two main symptoms: dry eyes and dry mouth. The glands responsible for secreting fluid are infiltrated by immune system cells (usually B and T lymphocytes). These glands become inflamed, leading to decreased production of water for tears and eye moisturize. The salivary glands in the mouth are also dry.
See information about MSM drops for dry eye support.
Sjogren’s syndrome comes in two forms. Primary Sjogren’s syndrome is a disease in its own right. Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome is associated with diseases of the connective tissues such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, etc. Sjogren’s syndrome results in dry mouth, eyes and other areas of the body.
Do your eyes spend more than 4 hours a day looking at the screen of an electronic device? If so, you are at risk for computer vision syndrome. Computer vision syndrome symptoms include eye strain, fatigue, dry eyes and headaches from staring at a screen too long.
Does the idea of flying out to spend the holidays with family and friends make your eyes mist up?
Good! You’re going to need the moisture!
One of the biggest challenges with air travel is to prevent dry eyes. Why?
You are probably used to a relative humidity above 40%. If you have a hygrometer or humidity sensor in your house, you are in the habit of monitoring your home’s relative humidity.
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As we know well at Natural Eye Care, taking care of dry eye syndrome is about more than just using eye drops. In fact, it may never be about using eye drops.
An article over at PCON Supersite discusses some oral treatments for dry eyes. We recommend that our patients evaluate their diet and lifestyle choices and make some necessary changes as well as take the right dietary supplements.
Not only our eyes, but the entire body need essential fatty acids in the form of omega-6s and omega-3s. Omega-6s help fight inflammation that can be an underlying cause of dry eyes and omega-3s make it possible for the body to use the fats in omega-6s.
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Natural Eye Care, Inc.
3 Paradies Lane
New Paltz, New York 12561
Phone: 845.475.4158
NaturalEyeCare™ started in 1999 to help the public and professionals learn about complementary care in eye disease treatment.
The information and recommendations we offer are based on over 30 years of peer review research and personal clinical experience which guides us in providing a valuable resource to our readers, customers and patients regarding maintaining healthy vision naturally.
We believe that vision health is intimately connected to overall mental, physical and spiritual health. Therefore we encourage people to look at their overall lifestyle and diet as part of keeping healthy vision and reducing the risk of eye disease onset. This includes diet, regular exercise, and management of daily stress. If one has health issues such as high blood pressure, a thyroid imbalance, any autoimmune disease and/or are on medication(s), these possible contributions to eye disease should considered when working with your health care professional.
Please do not hesitate to call us at 845.475.4158 with any questions and concerns.
