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
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
14
2010
Image via cdc.gov
The long-term use of topical antiglaucoma drugs can have an effect on the sensitivity of the macula (light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye). Authors of this study published in The Annals of Ophthalmology recommend periodic evaluation of the macula for all patients receiving antiglaucomatous agents. Source: http://www.springerlink.com/content/ep44p6q88p227518/
Rather than taking prescription medication to manage glaucoma, consider taking a natural approach to glaucoma treatment and prevention.
Nov
12
2010
image via womenshealth.gov
Glaucoma is caused by a number of factors, but one of the most well known is increased intraocular pressure. A new study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology describes how a condition called corneal arcus, a condition in which a ring of lipids builds up around the cornea, may be responsible for increases in eye pressure.
Corneal arcus is associated with cardiovascular disease. Researchers can not explain why corneal arcus increases eye pressure, but say “There may be changes in biomechanical properties of the cornea in eyes with corneal arcus, as such mechanisms are emerging as important clinical variables that may affect intraocular pressure measurements.”
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-11/jaaj-ccc110510.php
Learn more about how to prevent and treat glaucoma naturally at our website.
Nov
02
2010
image by sevenbates
It is possible to reduce children’s intraocular pressure (or eye pressure) by ensuring that their diet is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and fiber. Children were studied because they had fewer concurrent medical issues than adults that would potentially skew results.
The polunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are key sources of endogenous prostaglandins (fat derived compounds that are essential to the body’s proper funtion). A diet rich in PUFAs helps aid eye health and reduces eye pressure, according to this study of information derived from the Singapore Cohort Study of Risk Factors for Myopia.
Researchers found that fiber helps to reduce upswings in blood glucose levels after eating.
Elevated intraocular pressure can lead to glaucoma and other damage to the optic nerve.
Source: http://www.pconsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=75563
For more information on how the nutrients in food can support eye health, visit our website.
Learn about how to prevent and treat glaucoma naturally.
Oct
27
2010
Image via nei.nih.gov
Glaucoma patients are more likely to suffer from and die from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and accidents.
A study of over 300,000 people in Taiwan with and without glaucoma revealed that those with open-angle glaucoma were much more likely to be afflicted by comorbidities that adversely affect their quality of life. Source: http://www.osnsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=76960
Since we consider eye health to be a reflection of overall health, it makes sense that the health those with glaucoma would be compromised as well. It’s not that eye disease is causing these other conditions; it may be that both glaucoma and the other conditions are just the outward signs that a person is unwell.
For a complete listing of wellness tips to prevent and treat glaucoma and to keep your whole body healthy, look to this page.
Oct
22
2010
Painting of a retina with uveitis by Howard Bartner via history.nih.gov
As part of our Vision Wellness Protocol to prevent all eye diseases, we always recommend that you stop smoking. Here’s another reason to quit: people who smoke are more than two times as likely to develop uveitis than non-smokers.
Uveitis is an inflammation of the inner layer of the eye that can result in severe and permanent vision loss. In addition, uveitis can lead to other ocular complications including glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal damage all of which can severely damage the eyes. Early detection and treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.
Uveitis can be a result of trauma to the eye, but often it is not possible to trace its cause. But, as this study suggests, we may be able to add smoking to the list. According to study author Nisha Acharya, MD, “Cigarette smoke includes compounds that stimulate inflammation within the blood vessels, and this may contribute to immune system disruption and uveitis.”
Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301135215.htm
For more on uveitis, including how to prevent and treat it naturally, visit our website.
Oct
18
2010
Image via ninds.nih.gov
Researchers are studying the relationship between glaucoma and migraines.
At the 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) – Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) Joint Meeting in Chicago Russian researcher Yury S Astakhov, MD, PhD presented his work with people susceptible to migraines and how their day- and at night-time blood pressure levels may be related to the onset of glaucoma.
According to Dr. Astakhov, “We conclude that low diastolic blood pressure at night is a possible risk factor for glaucoma in patients with migraine.”
Migraine is a known risk factor for open-angle glaucoma, especially in the development of normal tension glaucoma in which the optic nerve becomes damaged even though there is no elevation in eye pressure.
Learn more about ocular migraines.
For information on glaucoma, have a look at these pages.
Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/204895.php
Oct
15
2010
Image courtesy of dmr.nd.gov
Intraocular pressure (IOP or “eye pressure”) gets the majority of the blame for cases of
glaucoma, but studies have shown that more and more people are developing normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and that progressive damage can occur even with IOP-lowering intervention.
Studies of the ginkgo biloba have shown that the herb can improve blood flow at a tissue level. Ginkgo biloba does not seem to affect intraocular pressure, blood pressure, or heart rate, but it has been shown to improve pre-existing visual field damage in some individuals suffering from glaucoma.
Sources: http://www.naturaleyecare.com/study.asp?s_num=212 and http://www.naturaleyecare.com/study.asp?s_num=211.
For more research on glaucoma, visit our research index page.
And, since you might not have a ginkgo tree in your back yard, here’s a good source of ginkgo biloba for eye health.
