Dr. Grossman’s Blog

Image via www.nlm.nih.gov

Are you amongst the growing number of Americans who is skipping regular visits to the eye doctor due to the cost of care?

A survey by the Center for Disease Control of over 11,5000 adults over 40 shows that nearly 40% skipped opportunities for regular eye care due to lack of money or insurance coverage.  After age 65, only 23.3% blame lack of insurance for missing their annual eye exams.

Researchers were particularly concerned by the nearly 44% of senior citizens who said they had no need to visit an eye doctor.  “The large proportion of persons aged 65 and over reporting no need as their main reason for not seeking care is of concern because this population has the highest prevalence of visual impairment,” the CDC report says. “A possible reason for this is that older adults might regard impairment as a normal part of aging.”  It appears that other studies have indicated many are unaware of their eye health needs because primary care physicians pay little attention to visual health.

The researchers note that previous studies have indicated that many people often aren’t aware they have eye health needs because of the lack of attention given to the subject by primary care providers.

SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 20, 2011 via http://www.medicinenet.com

March is the American Dietetic Association’s National Nutrition Month.

This year, the theme is “Eat Right with Color.”  That seems particularly fitting since seeing color is one of the things we value most about our eyes.  The colors of the foods we eat – we are specifically talking about fruits and vegetables here – are often indicative of the nutrients they will deliver.

Check out the ADA’s guide for what colors indicate what great health benefits.

What’s an optometrist’s favorite color?  Blue.

Bilberry (a cousin of the blueberry) is the ultimate eye food, mainly because it contains carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants.  Getting your does of blue foods will help anyone concerned about Poor Night Vision, Glaucoma, Myopia , Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy , Cataracts , or  Computer Eye Syndrome.

Learn about how to prevent and treat diabetes naturally at our website.

Also, get the facts about the related condition, diabetic retinopathy.

image by Optom95

Children need eye exams too, and, according to a new paper published in Pediatrics it is important that they get checked before they start school.  The US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend that kids visit an eye doctor at least once between ages 3 and 5.  There is some debate as to whether exams for children between 1 and 3 are beneficial and likely to uncover problems.

The main concern is amblyopia, often called “lazy eye.”  It affects 2-4% of preschool children and is optimally treated, often with eye patching, between ages 3 and 5.  Tests also rule out strabismus and refractive errors.

There has been some professional debate regarding the efficacy of testing young children’s eyes, but there seems to be some consensus that newer testing technology does make these early exams a good idea.

Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/736518?src=rss

image via bls.gov

There is new research that suggests that long periods of sitting can be linked to heart problems and poor health, even in people who exercise regularly.  The research, published in the European Heart Journal, found that those who spend a lot of time in a chair were more likely to carry weight around their waists, have lower levels of “good cholesterol,” and experience more inflammation.

The researchers did find, however, that getting up frequently – even for very short periods of just a minute at a time – was enough to slim waistlines and lower C-reactive protein levels, which are markers of inflammation.

According to this story’s source, WebMD, “The study suggests even small changes could help, like standing up to take phone calls, walking to see a colleague rather than phoning or emailing, and centralizing trash cans and printers so you have to walk to them.”  Source: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20110112/sitting-down-too-long-bad-health?src=RSS_PUBLIC

The added benefit of taking frequent breaks from your chair?  You give your eyes a rest as well.  Computer eye strain is effecting more and people – causing discomfort, cutting down on productivity, and potentially leading to eye disease.

Learn more about preventing and treating computer eye strain at our website.

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.

Image courtesy of oregon.gov

Here’s another study to strengthen the case against smoking.

Contact lens wearers and non-contact lens wearers were exposed to 2+ hours of simulated cigarette smoke.  The Japanese researchers measured a number of reactions including tear evaporation rates and tear film break-up time.

While the contact wearers and non-contact wearers were affected different by the smoke, the study’s authors concluded that “Even brief passive exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with adverse effects on the ocular surface as evidenced by an increase in tear instability and damage to the ocular surface epithelia [tissue]” in both groups.

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20351603

“Avoid cigarette smoke” is one of the points on our eye disease prevention protocol.

Image by Bombardier

Everyone knows that a lack of sleep can cause dark circles under your eyes, but did you know that genetics, the medications that you take, and hormones can also be cause those unsightly smudges to appear?

Any medications that you are taking that causes blood vessels to dilate, can cause circles under the eyes to darken. Because the skin under the eyes is very delicate, any increase blood flow shows right through.
The skin can also become more pale during pregnancy and menstruation, which again allows the underlying veins in the skin beneath the eyes to become more visible.

So, what can be done about it?

It’s true – one of the best natural remedies for dark circles is getting eight hours of sleep per night.

In addition to getting enough rest, you should also be sure you’re eating right.  Eat a whole-foods, plant-based diet; drink plenty of water (eight 8-ounce glasses daily); and avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks. Changing your food intake will bring you a a long way as you try to prevent bags, circles, and wrinkles around your eyes. Also, consider taking supplements specifically formulated to support eye health.

For home remedies that really work using what you have in your kitchen including tea bags, turmeric, potatoes, and lemons, visit our website.

photo courtesy of GirlsHealth.gov

In our practice, we are very aware of the ways that the eyes are the windows not only of the soul, but of the body as well.  The health of your eyes reflects the health of your whole being.

Others in the medical community agree with us.  At the 25th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress Tien Yin Wong, MD gave a lecture titled: “An Eye Examination Can Save Your Life!”   He discussed the way that changes in the blood vessels of the retina can indicate potential problems in the  cardiovascular and metabolic systems.

An eye doctor who is considering your overall health can potentially see signs of stroke, heart disease, or diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease during your exam.

Visit our website for more information on how eye health is about whole body health. Other hair health articles.