Dr. Grossman’s Blog

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Time spent in bright artificial light before bedtime has been linked to heightened blood pressure and an increased diabetes risk.

Researchers set to publish their findings in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism describe how nighttime exposure to light can disrupt melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep cycles as well as blood pressure.  The study shows that being in bright light opposed to dim light caused the body to produce less melatonin.  Participants who were exposed to bright light during typical sleep hours produced an average of 50% less melatonin.

According to a news release from the Endocrine Society: “Given that chronic light suppression of melatonin has been hypothesized to increase relative risk for some types of cancer and that melatonin receptor genes have been linked to type 2 diabetes, our findings could have important health implications for shift workers who are exposed to indoor light at night over the course of many years,” says study author Joshua Gooley.

Source: http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docID=648869

Of course, trying to read or work on the computer in low light situations can contribute to eye disease can can harm your vision. Since sleep is important to eye health and health in general and is so key to keeping those dark circles away, maybe it is time to consider becoming a morning person!

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

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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.

To prevent computer eyestrain it is important to analyze your habits – your time in front of the screen, your light source, your posture.  See more about how to set up your desk to avoid computer eyestrain at our website.

In addition to good ergonimics, you can also try eye exercises and think about your diet.

A study published in Applied Ergonomics reveals that eyestrain may be eased by taking a daily supplement containing blackcurrant fruit extract, lutein, and zeaxanthin (http://www.naturaleyecare.com/study.asp?s_num=269).  These antioxidants are powerful aids to eye health.

Prevention is always the best medicine.  That means eating right and changing any lifestyle habits that may be detrimental to your health. Learn more about how to prevent computer eye strain today.

Those who use computers heavily are at greater risk for glaucoma than the general public, particularly those who are short-sighted. Glaucoma is an insidious disease characterized by the decrease of peripherial vision eventually leading to severe vision loss.

A 2004 cross-sectional study in 9124 Japanese workers indicated that there was a possible association between heavy computer users and glaucomatous visual field abnormalities. In other words – people who computers heavily (ie. programmers, software engineers, gamers) could be jeopardizing their sight.

The study looked at typical daily computer use, as well as long-term computer use history. More than 500 participants (5.4%) had problems with peripheral vision. Of that group, one third were found to have glaucoma … perhaps more than a third, since some workers with peripheral vision problems didn’t receive all the testing to accurately diagnose glaucoma.

Still, it may not be necessary to quit your day job or to give up your favorite hobby.  Glaucoma can be prevented.  Changes in diet and lifestyle can reduce your risk of glaucoma and other eye diseases and improve your overall health.  For more details, please visit our pages on glaucoma prevention.

Astigmatism is caused by irregularities in the shape of the cornea or lens.  It can be treated through the use of corrective lenses, including contacts.

Symptoms include:

- Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
- Photophobia – sensitivity to light
- Headaches
- Excessive squinting.
- Constantly closing of the eyes
- Eye strain – occurs more often when the eye has to focus for long periods, as in reading from paper or a computer monitor

Computer eye strain is associated with this condition: computer eye strain can cause or exacerbate astigmatism or astigmatism may worsen the symptoms of computer eye strain.  For more on computer eye strain and how to prevent it, click here.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158810.php

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.

There are several natural (home) remedies available to keep eyes healthy and to deal with (and treat) minor eye problems such as redness and puffy eyes. A few examples of natural remedies are:

Making Use of Natural Creams

In natural eye care healing properties of flowers and plants are used to treat minor problems such as itchy eyes, redness of the eyes and infected (overly irritated) eyes. Different types of advanced eye care are sold by pharmacies and health food shops, mostly containing the following ingredients:

Cucumber or Cucumber Water

Containing Calcium, Vitamins A and C and Magnesium, Cucumber is known for its soothing properties and will help relax eyes and reduce redness of the eyes. Cucumber water or thin slices can also be applied to the skin around the eyes especially if this skin is looking dry.

Agrimony Leaves or Flowers

Dried leaves and flowers of this plant are added to boiled water, after which the infusion is strained and used to bathe the eyes, to reduce swelling and itchy eyes. People who spend a lot of time working behind a computer experiencing itchy or burning eyes, will also benefit from this remedy.

Marigold Flowers

A weak tea is made, cooled down and cotton wool pads are soaked in the tea, after which the pads are placed over the eyes  for ten minutes.

If one notices any changes in vision, please contact an eye doctor immediately. Other eye problems that last longer than two days should always be checked out by a doctor.

I’m pleased to announce our new very short video – demonstrating 3 eye exercises especially useful for computer users with tired eyes and/or experiencing computer eye syndrome!

You can view it at YouTube.com.