Glaucoma

The links between antioxidants and vision health are strong. Antioxidants are the antidote to oxidization. Normal metabolism creates free radicals. These are atoms that lack an electron. Free radicals roam about the body, scavenging electrons and stealing electrons from healthy cells.  This results in permanent damage to these afflicted cells which ultimately can result in disease. Significant research has shown that antioxidants protect against this cellular damage and are essential for maintaining health. The eye is especially vulnerable to free radical damage. Therefore, providing the body with sufficient antioxidants
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While Americans spend billions of dollars each year on how they LOOK, little attention is given to how they SEE. Seniors are especially vulnerable to eye diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts, as well as hypertension-related eye damage such as retinal vein occlusion.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology issued guidelines on aging and the eye as a result of its 2015 Eye-Q© Survey¹ (updated with 2016 data).

Here is a summary of their recommendations.

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As we age, our chances of developing a serious vision problem increase significantly. More than half of people over the age of 70 years old have an eye condition such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration; people with diabetes often develop diabetic retinopathy. These limiting conditions decrease the quality of life. Being a retired senior means having time to enjoy life, read, travel, play golf, enjoy hobbies, and socialize with friends and family. However, participating in these activities requires clear vision.

We can learn to help preserve our vision and to become active
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Chinese Medicine can support eye health and help preserve vision. This traditional modality is helpful for people looking to reduce the risk developing eye disease and maintain healthy vision. Additionally, patients with existing eye conditions such as chronic dry eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and eye floaters can benefit from Traditional Chinese Medicine as part of their treatment plan.

Chinese medicine includes the use of acupuncture, herbs, as well as Tui Na (massage therapy), Gui Sha (skin scraping), and Qigong (physical exercises and breathing techniques). Acupuncture involves tiny, disposable needles painlessly inserted at certain points on the body.
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Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease may appear first in the eye, possibly years before the first clear symptoms of the either disease appear. This offers hope of detecting two devastating and common diseases in their earliest stages. Damage from these brain and central nervous system diseases may prove very difficult to reverse. Detecting these illnesses, which impact mostly the elderly, as early as possible could mean treatments that slow the diseases’ progress and preserve functioning. Several recent studies on the eye hold promise of reliable early detection, routine screening and therefore, early intervention.
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A large study found that people who ate enough leafy greens had a lower risk of getting primary open-angle glaucoma. A large body of research show the positive impact that good nutrition has on vision health. Eating sufficient amounts of vegetables provides the body with important nutrients.

The eye is made from nutrients. Leafy green vegetables are loaded with vitamin K, magnesium, iron, calcium, beta-carotene, carotenoids and other antioxidants, and the eye nutrients lutein
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Eye health is important for quality of life. Regular exercise has many significant benefits, including supporting healthy vision. This is especially true for seniors, who are most at risk for eye disease. While you cannot control all risk factors, sedentary behavior is a risk factor you CAN control. Avoiding tobacco and eating a healthy diet are also under your control. Genetics have an influence: a much higher percentage of African Americans have vision loss from glaucoma; non-Hispanic Whites top the charts in Age-Related Macular Degeneration vision loss¹.

Exercise reduces oxidative stress, a significant factor in the development of eye
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Lifestyle can have a significant impact on the progression of glaucoma. Patients should follow their ophthalmologist’s advice. Also, research has shown that certain behavioral changes can help preserve vision. Natural Eye Care offers these tips.

Get Moving to Fight Glaucoma

If you are sedentary and have a glaucoma diagnosis, you can expect strong benefits from becoming active. A meta analysis¹ showed that exercise reduced intraocular pressure in patients. The effect was largest on those who were sedentary
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Acupuncture has been used for millennia to treat eye disease. Today, acupuncture can help preserve vision for those with a wide range of eye conditions including macular degeneration, glaucoma, eye floaters, dry eyes, cataracts and much more. Part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture involves a practitioner inserting tiny needles into the skin. It is licensed and regulated by most states in the US. How does acupuncture work, and what are its effects on supporting eye conditions? What could you expect from acupuncture treatments? What can you do at home?

Natural Eye Care owners Michael Edson, L.Ac. and Marc Grossman, OD, L.Ac are both licensed acupuncturists specializing in the eye; Dr. Grossman is also a Doctor of Optometry. Here are the answers to these questions and more.
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The different parts of your eye have special needs. Many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids are needed for good vision. But different parts of the eye especially need specific nutrients. A healthy diet can provide most of these nutrients – so, take a look at Food for Your Eyes.
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