Dr. Grossman’s Blog

In my practice and at NaturalEyeCare.com we know that the eyes are the windows to the soul and windows that reveal the state of your overall health.

A new story over at Yahoo Health lists 14 different conditions that can be recognized by looking into your eyes.

The list includes Computer Vision Syndrome, also known as Computer Eyestrain. Red, burning eyes as well as blurred vision, dizziness, and trouble concentrating are all signs of eyestrain from excessive computer use.  Visit our pages on computer eyestrain for tips on how to prevent and treat it.

Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelids, also made this list because they say it can be linked to acne rosacea.  Inflammed eyelids can also be a sign of allergies and sensitivities to foods or the environment.  It can even be a reaction to certain prescription or over the counter drugs – see more on drugs that harm the eyes.

Dry eyes are the most common complaint brought to eye doctors.  They can be indicative of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes (especially when the blood sugar is up), asthma, thyroid disease (lower lid does not move when blinking), lupus, and possibly glaucoma.  Dry Eye Syndrome itself can be treated with several natural remedies.

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.

The Vision Council recently published Eye Safety At-a-Glance: Protecting Your Vision at Work.

Almost 2000 Americans suffer eye injuries in the course of each work day.  This study focuses on the importance of using safety eye wear and having emergency eyewash stations available.  Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/210816.php

One thing that the study does not mention is the importance of protecting your eyes not from projectiles or chemicals but from computer eye strain.

So many of us spend our days starting at computer screens and this activity can lead to eye fatigue, headaches, and even glaucoma.

Learn about how to prevent and treat computer eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, at our website.

Lutein May Help Visual Contrast Sensitivity for Computer Users

Lutein is known to be an essential nutrient in helping prevent the onset of macular degeneration. Researchers now believe that lutein may also help protect against the detrimental effects of long-term computer display light exposure.

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition indicates that improvements in the eye’s sensitivity to contrast on a computer screen were observed following 12 weeks of supplementation with lutein.

Scientists at the Peking University in China studied 37 healthy individuals aged 22 to 30 who had long-term computer display light exposure. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group was given placebos, one group was given 6 milligrams of lutein daily, and one group was given 12 milligrams of lutein daily.

Levels of serum lutein and visual performance indices such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and glare sensitivity were measured at the beginning of the study and again at 12 weeks.

After 12 weeks researchers found an increase in blood levels of lutein in both lutein groups. The study authors noted: “Visual function in healthy subjects who received the lutein supplement improved, especially in contrast sensitivity, suggesting that a higher intake of lutein may have beneficial effects on the visual performance.”

Lutein can be found in green leafy vegetables and egg yolks. Learn about food sources for nutrients important to good eye health, including lutein.

Read other studies about the benefits of lutein for good eye health

SOURCE: “A 12-week lutein supplementation improves visual function in Chinese people with long-term computer display light exposure”, Ma, et al, British Journal of Nutrition, Published online by Cambridge University Press 19 Feb 2009 doi:10.1017/S0007114508163000.