Nov
30
2010
image via health.nih.go
One risk factor for glaucoma is central corneal thickness.
Researchers looking at ethnic populations in Singapore have identified the genes that affect collagen growth, which in turn affects central corneal thickness. Knowing how these specific genes work can help provide insight into the cause and progression of glaucoma.
Source: http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2010/11/23/hmg.ddq511.abstract
Learn more about how to prevent and treat glaucoma naturally at our website.
Nov
29
2010
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The European Commission is standing behind the claims that omega-3s help infants’ brain and vision development. The claims relate to both intake by the mother during pregnancy and lactation as well as directly by the baby.
The statements relate to specific compounds found in the fatty acids:
- ALA contributes to the brain development of children
- DHA has a structural and functional role in the retina and DHA intake contributes to the visual development of infants up to 12 months of age
- DHA has a structural and functional role in the retina and maternal DHA intake contributes to the normal development of the eye of the foetus and breastfed infants
- DHA has a structural and functional role in the brain and maternal DHA intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants
Source: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/EC-to-confirm-infant-and-child-omega-3-claims
Not all fish oil is created equal, so consider your choices and be sure to go with a quality product. The Natural Eye Care Vision Store has many products you can trust.
Nov
28
2010
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Healthy fats are essential to eye health, and are especially important to the prevention and treatment of macular degeneration.
A study published in the Journal of Lipids Research looked into the roles played by both long chain and very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs and VLC-PUFAs), both of which are naturally present in the eyes. There are not a lot of VLC-PUFAs in the eyes, and they have not received a lot of scientific attention, but this study focused on the important role they play in eye health.
Researchers concluded that a lack of either LC-PUFAs and VLC-PUFAs can lead to macular degeneration. Source: http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=10473&Section=Aging
Fish oil is the key source of these compounds.
Learn more about how to prevent macular degeneration naturally.
Nov
26
2010
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A new study shows that “perceptual training” can improve vision in older adults.
A study of people over 65 published in the Journal of Vision shows that after undergoing two days of training older adults performed as well on visual processing tests as college aged students. The participants were able to maintain this higher level of functioning for up to three months.
Researchers say that this shows “a high degree of brain plasticity among the elderly and suggest that this technique is useful for recovering from declines in vision due to normal aging.” They went on to correlate such improvement in visual abilities with improved safety and quality of life, specifically related to automobile driving. Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/209056.php
Visit this site for free eye exercises related to a number of eye conditions.
Nov
23
2010
image by Charlie Cravero
The compounds found in bilberries, blueberries, and huckleberries are key to preventing and treating Poor Night Vision, Glaucoma, Myopia , Macular Degeneration , Diabetic Retinopathy , Cataracts , and Computer Eye Syndrome.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is now certifying the amount organic acids available in in dietary supplements formulated with Vaccinium berries, including blueberries and bilberries. These new standards can help consumers buy products made of the berries that they advertise, rather than diluting them with less expensive juices. Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101110113044.htm
Nov
21
2010
image via globalhealth.gov
Narrow angle glaucoma is an ocular emergency. In such cases, there is an obstruction in the drainage of the aqueous fluid due to a narrowing of the angle between the base of the iris and the cornea. The symptoms can be a sudden, painful red eye, nausea, vomiting, headache, and visual halos.
According to a study in PubMed, narrow angle glaucaoma, also known as acute angle glaucoma, can be a rare, but potential, side effect of general anesthesia. Researcher cite possible risk factors: the drugs ephedrine and nefopam administration and the prone surgical position (lying on the belly during the procedure). Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21081770?dopt=Abstract
Learn more about glaucoma and how to prevent and treat it naturally.
Nov
20
2010
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A recent study of patients undergoing long term topical steroid treatment (eg. eyedrops) shows that the medication increases the likelihood of developing sub-conjunctival hemorrhage.
The study, published in the medical journal Eye found that those taking steroid eyedrops for uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye) ran a “substantial” risk of developing spontaneous hemorrhaging in the eyes. Source: http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/eye2010118a.html
For more on medications that can harm the eyes, please visit our website.
To learn more about how to treat uveitis naturally, click here.
Nov
19
2010
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Uveal melanoma is the most common type of eye cancer. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine describes how researchers have identified a specific oncogene (a cell that can mutate and turn a normal cell into a cancer cell) that may be related to the development of this specific cancer. This gene was present in more than 40% of the sample tumor tissue used in the study.
This, and other genetics level research, can help scientists better understand how specific cancers work so that better therapies and treatments can be devised. About 1500 American are diagnosed with cancer of the eye each year.
Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/208453.php
Learn about how to prevent eye disease with our Prevention Protocol.
Nov
18
2010
Regular exercise is key to managing and preventing eye disease. Many with
glaucoma have concerns about their intraocular pressure (eye pressure) and allowing their heads to be below their hearts, as is common in yoga’s common inversion poses. Those you might need to avoid include downward facing dog, head and shoulder stands, and any poses that require you to touch your toes while in a standing position.
Livestrong.com offers this tip for practicing a modified forward bend:
You can still enjoy the benefits of wide-legged forward bend by modifying how you practice it. Place a chair against a wall with the seat facing toward you. Hold your feet wide apart and keep them parallel. Lean slightly forward to keep your hips above your legs rather than behind your heels. Rest your forearms on the chair seat. Breathe deeply for 10 to 15 breaths, feeling an inner thigh and groin stretch and relaxing your back. Certified advanced Iyengar instructor Dean Learner emphasizes that modified forward bends should be part of your regular yoga practice. Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/308442-yoga-poses-for-glaucoma/
Nov
17
2010
image via tclw.das.ohio.gov
It’s National Diabetes Awareness Month, and did you know that your eye doctor might be the one who can help to detect whether you have diabetes?
According to an article published in Kenttucky’s Journal Enterprise, “During a dilated exam, an optometrist will look at your retina for early signs of diabetic eye disease, such as leaking blood vessels, swelling and deposits on the retina.” Dr. Randy Steele says,“Optometrists often serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only place on the body that blood vessels can be seen without having to look through the skin.”
Learn more about how to prevent and treat diabetes naturally.
For more on the eye condition that often accompanies the disease, diabetic retinopathy, click here.
