Dr. Grossman’s Blog

A recent study published in the journal “Archives of Ophthalmology” showed an inverse link between vitamin C and cataracts. This Indian study was a population-based cross-sectional analytic study measuring the plasma vitamin C levels in 5638 people 60 years of age or older. These people were checked for cataracts and type of cataracts.

Low levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, retinol and vitamin C all showed to be correlated to cataracts. However, low vitamin C levels had by far the strongest association and were also consistent by type of cataract.

Ref: Ophthalmology. 2011;118(10):1958-1965

Editor’s Note: For more related information, go to Cataracts and Nutrition, Diet, Lifestyle

In addition to removing a cataract, cataract surgery can also lower eye pressure.  Eye pressure or intraocular pressure is often (but not always) associated with the development of glaucoma.

A study presented at the American Glaucoma Society meeting explains how patients who had ocular hypertension before cataracts surgery exhibited a marked decrease in eye pressure after the procedure. Their pressure readings decreased by 18%.  They were not taking any medication to lower their eye pressure.  Source: OSN Super Site

It is possible to avoid what has become the most common surgery in the US – cataract removal – through a combination of nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes.  Learn more about how to prevent cataracts naturally. Fighting free radicals by boosting you antioxidant intake is a great place to start.

You can also learn more about how to prevent glaucoma by reading up on other studies on our glaucoma research pages.

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 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.

Image by nasa.gov

A new study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology finds that those who take medications that make them more sensitive to the sun have an increased risk of developing cataracts.

And, in case you are thinking that you only have to worry about the sun if you are soaking up the rays on the equator, this study involved residents of Wisconsin who were exposed to their own local sunshine.

For a complete list of drugs that can cause light sensitivity, please visit our website.

Source: http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/128/8/959

We heard a lot about antioxidants, but what are they and why do we need them and where can we get them?

Free radicals are unstable atoms that attack other cells in their attempt to gain a missing electron that will make them more stable.  This attack harms the cells’ delicate membranes, thereby making them a target for disease. This process is called oxidation and it is responsible for aspects of the aging process including wrinkles, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron to the unstable cells. After being neutralized, those free radicals will no longer attempt to damage cells, and therefore become less harmful to the body.

Antioxidants can be found in a host of foods.

Four particularly important antioxidants:

Astaxanthin, Glutathione, CoQ10 and Super oxide dismutase.

Learn all about antioxidants at our website.