Low antioxidant levels in eye tissue are directly correlated to incidence of macular degeneration. A small study found a relationship between low intake of antioxidants and advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Macular Degeneration is an eye disease associated with aging. Many middle-aged and elderly individuals seek to prolong good vision and prevent eye disease.
The role of supplemental oxygen in diabetic macular edema was the subject of a pilot study in 2004. Diabetic macular edema or DME is a side-effect of diabetes. DME occurs when retinal blood vessels leak into the macula apparently trying to provide more oxygen to the retina. This leakage causes swelling, which, in turn, causes part of central vision to become blurred.
An antibody known as aducanumab may be helpful in removing amyloid plaque in Alzheimer’s patients.
The presence of amyloid plaque deposits in the brain are characteristic Alzheimer’s disease. The condition presents as amyloid plaque deposits, tangles in the brain neurons, poorly functioning nerve synapses and nerve cell deterioration. Alzheimer’s is linked to glaucoma, cerebrovascular disease, poor sleep and to nutrient deficiencies. A number of possibilities exist for improving the condition or slowing its development, including a number of different drugs, antioxidants, some cancer drugs, and compounds found in green tea.
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Does Alzheimer’s disease cause poor sleep, or is it the other way around? Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University are conducting a study to find out. The results might show that poor sleep leads to Alzheimer’s. If so, this study may help determine who is at highest risk of developing the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is marked by the build-up of plaque and tangles in the brain. This causes neurological damage. Early symptoms include short-term memory loss. Later, language
problems, disorientation, motivation loss, moodiness, difficulty caring for oneself and behavioral problems arise.
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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Cornea transplant surgery involves removing a damaged or diseased cornea, and replacing it with tissue from a deceased donor. All or part of the cornea may be replaced. In the United States, eye surgeons do approximately 33,000 corneal transplants (keratoplasty) per year. The surgery might be recommended if vision is seriously impaired by scarring from an injury, or eye diseases such as Fuchs’ Dystrophy, Lattice Dystrophy, or Keratoconus.
The cornea is transparent tissue at the front of the eye. Its job is to protect the eye from damage. This tissue also absorbs oxygen and nutrients. Light enters through the cornea
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Stargardt’s Disease and Retinitis Pigmentosa are genetic eye diseases that involve the metabolism of vitamin A. However vitamin A has a different impact on the course of each disease. A recent study1 examined the total intake of vitamin A in both types of patients. It found that:
Patients with early Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) improved when taking a combination of nutrients. The nutrients were acetyl-L-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.1
The double-blind trial was controlled with a soy oil placebo. The study included over 100 patients with AMD. They were assigned to take two capsules per day for 12 months of either the treatment capsule or the placebo. Nearly all of the subjects who took the supplements for one year showed significant improvement in visual acuity (Snellen Chart & ETDRS chart), foveal sensitivity and changes in the back of the eye. The fovea is the only part of the eye where 100% visual acuity is possible. Only 2% of these subjects had clinically significant worsening of their condition. But 17% of the control group who received a placebo got worse.
Astaxanthin is an extremely powerful antioxidant that is sometimes overlooked. It protects the body from free radical damage. Ten times more powerful than beta-carotene, astaxanthin is a carotenoid that can cross the blood-brain barrier1. This means it can reach the retina and macula of the eye.
Seniors need to be especially protective of their eye health. In Age-Related Macular Degeneration, the yellowish-colored macular responsible for central vision begins to break down. This makes driving, reading, cooking and recognizing faces difficult or impossible. Cataracts cause haziness and blurring as the lens becomes obscured. And glaucoma gradually steals peripheral vision due to damage to the optic nerve. A large body of research points
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The sun sustains life, but it also can harm our eyes. Unsafe sun exposure causes or may contribute to several eye conditions and diseases. It can also cause eye injuries. Earth’s ozone layer absorbs most of the ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, but chemicals have damaged it. Therefore, we must take extra precautions to prevent cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, ocular melanoma (eye cancer), and eye injuries such as pterygium (Surfer’s Eye), photokeratitis (snow blindness), and flash blindness. The sun is also a driving hazard when low on the horizon.
The body contains its own “sunscreen,” which is melanin. Dark-skinned people have more melanin and
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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.
