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LED light bulbs are becoming very popular, but what is their effect on the eyes? Light Emitting Diode lighting uses up to 95% less energy than their incandescent counterparts. Before replacing your home or workplace’s indoor lights with LEDs, consider two downsides:

• LEDs do not give off near-infrared radiation, which is necessary for health
• They emit large amounts of blue light, which disrupts sleeping patterns and over time can contribute to eye disease.

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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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For dry eyes, not all fish oils supplements are the same. A recent study found that re-esterified triglyceride omega-3 fatty acids were superior for tackling dry eye symptoms. The triglyceride form is similar but more economical than the re-esterified triglyceride form.

Omega 3 fatty acids occur naturally in fish. These antioxidants have been shown to have significant across-the-board health benefits. Our bodies are not capable of
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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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Macular edema is a swelling of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. When fluid builds up in the macula, it becomes swollen and thicker. This distorts vision. There are several causes, including diabetic retinopathy, post-eye surgery complications, macular degeneration, injury, systemic inflammatory diseases that can affect the eye, and/or vein blockages. If an eye disease causes damage to blood vessels in the retina, it can cause macular edema. Left untreated, this problem can cause serious vision loss and even blindness.

An eye doctor will direct your care should macular
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Stem cells are the area of greatest potential in current medicine. They can turn into any tissue in the body and can therefore conceivably be used for treatment of countless diseases. Previous research and trials currently taking place use embryonic stem cells, however, their use is ethically controversial and carries the risk of rejection by a patient’s tissues. Of great interest is the developing technology in stem cells for macular degeneration.
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A breakthrough operation has regenerated the lenses of 12 children using stem cells. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens that typically occurs in the elderly. It is the leading cause of blindness (left untreated).

Standard treatment of cataracts is inserting an artificial intraocular lens. However, this requires waiting until the cataracts “ripen”, or cataract surgery is often recommended
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Examining the eyes of animals has revealed a test for very early Parkinson’s Disease. This research may translate into an eye test for humans. If so, it offers hope to the 1 in 500 people worldwide who will develop Parkinson’s by allowing treatment to slow the condition in its earliest stages.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Symptoms include muscle tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. It is not fatal by itself, but it reduces the quality of life. There is currently no definitive test, and doctors cannot diagnose this neurological
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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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