Dr. Grossman’s Blog

image via pueblo.gsa.gov

Hormone therapy has been proscribed to some men suffering from prostate cancer.  Unfortunately, this treatment has been linked to cataracts according to a study published in the Annals of Epidemiology.

Research shows that study participants on hormone therapy were 9% more likely to develop a cataract compared to those who were not treated with hormone therapy.  In men whose testicles had been removed the risk soared to 26%.  The study involved 66,000 prostate cancer victims. Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101227/hl_nm/us_prostate_cancer

Learn more about natural cataracts prevention and treatment at our website.

For more about drugs that can harm the eyes, have a look at this page.

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

image via nei.nih.gov

Cataracts are not inevitable parts of aging. They can be prevented through proper nutrition and the supplementation of certain nutrients that are vital to the proper functioning of the eyes.

One of these important compounds is glutathione which helps prevent the free radical damage that can lead to cataract formation. Studies have shown that people who have cataracts have 80% less of the glutathione in their eyes than they need.

Natural sources of glutathione include eggs, broccoli, avocados, garlic, onions and cauliflower. Learn more about certain supplements that can really help you bring up your levels and ward off cataracts.

For other ways to prevent and treat cataracts naturally, visit 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 via ars.usda.gov

A study published in the Nutrition Journal sought to find how walnuts can increase the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy adults.  Study authors did not find any measurable increases, but they believe that further study is warranted.

They did find that levels of important compounds, the fatty acid linoleic acid and pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6), did increase over the course of the 19 week study.

Source: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/9/1/21

Antioxidants are a key to eye health. They combat free radials that cause such eye diseases, particularly macular degneration and cataracts.

Image courtesy of Vision2020.org

Today, Thursday, October 14 is World Sight Day.  Included on the World Health Organization’s official calendar, one of the main goals of this yearly occasion is to raise public awareness of blindness & vision impairment as major international public health issues.

Across the developing world, blindness is a huge issue.  Ninety percent of the world’s vision impaired people live in low income countries.  But so many eye problems – 80% according to World Sight Day organizers -  are preventable.  Vision2020 is dedicated to helping people across the globe.  Visit their site for details: http://www.vision2020.org/main.cfm

My work is dedicated to helping you prevent eye conditions that could lead to serious visual impairment such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or cataracts.

Take some time on this World Sight Day to educate yourself on how diet, exercise, supplementation, and an evaluation of your lifestyle habits could help you preserve the precious gift of sight.  Visit our page on preventing eye disease.

Request free eye exercises and tips tailored to your eye condition.

Image Courtesy of NE DHHS

A study of babies born with cataracts found that infantile cataracts in one or both eyes are associated with very low birth weights (babies born at less than 3.3 pounds).

Infantile cataracts also seems to be an inherited condition – nearly fifty percent of babies born with the condition had a first degree relative who was also born with cataracts.

Since early detection is key to providing the most effective treatment, determining potential risk factors for infantile cataracts increases the likelihood of diagnosing the problem quickly.

Researchers mentioned the following factors that might also play a part in the development of cataracts at birth, but deemed them all to be “statistically insignificant”: maternal urinary tract infections,  aspirin use, alcohol consumption, and smoking.

Source: http://www.osnsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=68191

For more on cataracts, visit our website.

Image by Marcus BH

Researchers are examining dry eye syndrome‘s relationship to meibomian gland dysfunction and other eye conditions.

According to The Cornea & Contact Lens Society of New Zealand, “meibomian glands are the oil-producing glands located in both the upper and lower eyelids… This oil helps to stop the water in the tears from evaporating, thus helping to prevent dry eyes.”  Dry eye symptoms can result when this stabilizing oil does not reach the tear film.

Spanish scientists publishing in Cornea found that nearly 50% of subjects with dry eye also had meibomian gland dysfunction.

In this study, it was also concluded that “Pterygium, trauma, cataract surgery, pseudoexfoliation, and glaucoma are associated with signs of dry eye.”

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20847672

For self-help tips on how to resolve dry eye symptoms, visit our website.

Image by ngould

There’s another piece of evidence that suggests moderate drinking – one or two alcoholic beverages each day – can be beneficial for the eyes.

A study of over 3,600 Australians found that when the figures were adjusted to account for other factors (including age, smoking, and diabetes), people who had one or two drinks each day were 50% less likely to have cataract surgery.  The moderate drinkers were less likely to require surgery for cataracts than counterparts who drank more as well as those who did not drink at all.

Source: http://www.osnsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=70524

Studies suggest that the resveratrol in one glass of red wine per day can help prevent macular degeneration.