The digestive tract is filled with over 100 trillion microorganisms, many of which are needed for gut health — and good health.1 The gut flora, as they are called, has a similar function to that of other organs in the body.2 The intestinal microorganisms are their own environment. This environment aids the body’s immune system and helps keep you healthy.3
The health of the eyes depends upon the health of these gut microorganisms. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and dry eye disease (DED) are impacted by inflammation in the gut.
Seventy percent of the human immune system is a result of the complex ecosystem of microorganisms.
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We have written extensively about how excess exposure to blue light can, over time, negatively affect vision. Not only does it affect our vision and ability to fall asleep, but it can also harm skin health, and neural pathways in the brain are affected in various ways.
Blue light is emitted from all handheld electronic devices, desktop and laptop computers, and televisions. It is emitted from the little LED lights above your stove, fluorescent lighting and LED bulbs. And, of course, blue light comes from sunlight.
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Ocular rosacea is an inflammation of the white of the eye caused by immune system weakness. It can also affect the cornea and usually develops only in the eyes. It appears in combination with the skin version of rosacea in 20% of facial rosacea patients.
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Our eyes are constantly exposed to the external environment with frequent excess exposure to UVA/UVB light. Natural exposure to the sun is exacerbated by blue light exposure from mobile phones, E-readers, handheld gaming electronics, TV, computer monitors, and fluorescent and LED lighting.
In addition to blue/UV light, our long hours on computers and mobile phones cause stress on our visual system. Physical and visual fatigue reduces the free flow of energy and circulation to the eyes, often accompanied by muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
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Summertime is here, and it is great to be outdoors enjoying the wonderful weather. Some daily exposure to sunlight helps build up Vitamin D in the body and is good for eye health, but excessive exposure can lead to skin damage, skin cancer, and even promote eye disease which may include macular degeneration, other retinal disorders, and cataracts. Ongoing exposure to blue light increases the risk of neovascular (wet) macular degeneration, particularly associated with low levels of antioxidants, and especially low levels of vitamin C and zeaxanthin.1 Another study suggested that extended exposure to sunlight outdoors may be associated with age-related maculopathy.2
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The standard Western diet, with many processed foods, white grains, fats, sugars, preservatives, and flavorings lacks essential nutrients to support the retina. These non-beneficial components aggravate inflammation in the body – an underlying, and sometimes a direct cause of illness, premature aging, and cellular degeneration.
Essential nutrients include a wide range of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and vitamin-like nutrients. Among them, a star component of good health and good vision, are the omega-3 fatty acids.
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Did you know that proper nutrition and exercise can help prevent diabetic retinopathy?1 Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a potentially blinding complication of diabetes that damages the eye’s retina; it is a leading cause of vision loss in the world. About 10% of Americans have diabetes. One in three people with diabetes has symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. Of these, a further one-third have vision-threatening DR, including diabetic macular edema. And yet, the condition can potentially be preventable.
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Allergy season is once again upon us, causing many people a great deal of discomfort, including eye irritation and redness. According to conservative estimates, more than one in five Americans has allergies, and the number rises every year.
And to compound the problem, researchers have noted that due to climate change, allergy season will be longer in the upper latitude of North America.
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“Mind-body connection”? It is the link between our emotional/mental and physical selves. The link becomes evident as you learn about gut-brain access and the function of the vagus nerve.
Through two-way communication with the brain via the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system, the gut and central nervous system form a gut-brain axis. They communicate with each other constantly, in both sickness and health.1 The gastrointestinal tract has its own nervous system that includes neurotransmitters, neurons, and electrical signals. Called the enteric nervous system, it is often referred to as the second brain. Researchers have concluded that mechanisms that degenerate the neurons in the brain also degenerate neurons in the enteric nervous system.2 For example, exercise stimulates gut motility. If the vagus nerve is impaired, as in animal models, the gut has limited motility and nutrient absorption is hindered.3
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Myopia on the RiseLifestyle changes resulting in reduced outdoor activities coupled with rapid urbanization have been associated with a huge increase in nearsightedness (myopia) across many parts of the world. Indoor activities include concentrated near-work and digital device use which results in myopia.1
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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.
