DISORDERS

Disorder: EYE PROBLEMS

Description: What we think of as the simple act of seeing is actually a complex, multistep process that goes on continuously and at breathtaking speed. Light enters the eye through the pupil, which changes size depending on the amount of light entering it. As light enters the eye, it is focused by the lens, which adjusts its shape by means of the action of the muscles and ligaments of the ciliary body. The lens projects light onto the retina where special pigment absorbs the light and forms a corresponding image. Finally, this image is transmitted by means of the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets the image. Anything that interferes with any link in this chain of events can result in impaired vision. Conditions that can impair vision range from relatively minor problems such as myopia (near sightedness) to more serious illnesses like glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye), and cataracts.

Symptoms: Common eye problems include eyes that are tired, bloodshot, burning, dry, infected, irritated, itchy, sensitive to light, ulcerated, or watery, to name just a few.

Incidence: Everyone experiences eye trouble at one time or another. Eye disturbances are often a sign of a disease elsewhere in the body.

Causes: A great many factors can contribute to visual problems including nutritional deficiency, alcohol, drugs, physical strain, dental problems, environmental pollution, harmful lighting, and emotional stress. Many cases of eye disturbances and vision loss are signs of disease elsewhere in the body. Watery eyes are a symptom of the common cold; protruding or bulging eyes may be a symptom of thyroid problems; red, swollen and/or watery eyes may be an indication allergies; a drastic difference in the sizes of the pupils can indicate a tumor somewhere in the body; periodic blurring of vision may be a sign of high blood pressure or diabetes.

Treatments: Like all other parts of the body, the eyes need proper nourishment. In addition to making sure that the eyes are not strained by too much intense close work or inadequate lighting, proper eye care includes a healthy diet containing sufficient vitamins and minerals. Your diet should contain proper amounts of the B vitamins, vitamins A, C and E; and the minerals selenium and zinc. A well balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially yellow foods such as carrots, cantaloupes and yams, can help keep your eyes healthy.

Specific eye problems that can be helped by supplementing the diet with vitamins and other nutrients are as follows:

Skin loses some of its elasticity with age, and muscles within the eyelids lose tone, causing bags under the eyes. In addition, fat can gather in the eyelid and fluids can accumulate and cause swelling. Puffiness around the eyes can also be caused by allergies or too much salt. Smoking can also aggravate the problem.

Recommendations:

Bitot’s spots are distinct elevated white patches on the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers most of the visible part of the eye. They may signify a severe deficiency of vitamin A.

Recommendations:

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the outer edges of the eyelids that causes redness, itching, burning, and often a sensation of having something in one’s eye. Other possible symptoms include swelling of the eyelids, loss of eyelashes, tearing, and sensitivity to light. Secretions may form crusts that glue the eyes together during sleep.

This condition may be caused by an infection of the eyelash follicles or glands at the outer edges of the eyelids. Eyestrain, poor hygiene, poor living and sleeping habits, poor nutrition, and systemic disease with resulting immunodepression commonly contribute to the problem. Blepharitis may also be associated with seborrhea of the face or scalp.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Bloodshot eyes occur when the small blood vessels on the surface of the eye become inflamed and congested with blood. They are a common consequence of eyestrain, fatigue and improper diet, especially consuming alcohol. Bloodshot eyes can also result from deficiencies in the B vitamins and the amino acids histidine, lysine or phenylalanine. Once the body receives the nutrients it needs, the congestion in the blood vessels should disappear.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Vision may become blurred for any number of reasons including eyestrain, fatigue, excessive tearing, or a disturbance in the fluid balance in the body.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Defined as a partial or complete clouding of the clear lens of the eye, cataracts is the leading cause of impaired vision and blindness in the United States. Cataracts occur most frequently in older adults. In addition to the aging process, risk factors include extensive exposure to radiation or infrared light, certain medications such as steroids, various injuries, and diseases. The free radicals in our food, water, and environment are probably a major factor in the increasing number of cataracts in our population.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Colorblindness is the inability to see colors as most people see them. There are different types and varying degrees of severity in this condition. Most colorblind people confuse certain colors; for example, they may not be able to distinguish green from brown. There are also certain diseases, such as pernicious anemia and sickle cell disease, that can cause changes in color vision. In most cases, colorblindness is present from birth, although the dimming of vision caused by cataracts can diminish a person’s ability to distinguish colors later in life.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an irritating inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eye and eyelid. Symptoms include discharge from the eye (often containing pus), pain, swelling, and redness, as well as itching and discomfort with bright lights. Eyelids may stick together upon awakening. Causes of conjunctivitis include bacterial infection, injury to the eye, exposure to irritating substances such as fumes, smoke, contact lens solution, chlorine from swimming pools, makeup, or any other foreign substance that enters the eye. If caused by a viral infection, conjunctivitis is high contagious.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Dry eyes occur when the tear ducts do not produce enough fluid (tears) to keep the eyes moist, resulting in burning and irritation. Dry eyes are more common in women, especially after menopause. Contact lens wearers are especially prone to developing dry eye problems. A lack of vitamin A can cause this problem. It can also be caused by certain drugs, such as the antidepressant imipramine (Tofranil), beta-blockers (used for treatment of high blood pressure and heart problems), and marijuana.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Eyestrain is commonly a result of overuse of the eyes for activities requiring close focus, such as reading or computer work. People in certain occupations, such as jewelers, are particularly prone to eyestrain. Eyestrain causes an aching sensation around and behind the eyes that can expand into a generalized headache. Focusing the eyes may be fatiguing or painful.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Bits of cellular debris floating within the eye are commonly referred to as floaters. They appear as small specks that move slowly before the eyes, especially in certain lights and against certain backgrounds. Elderly and nearsighted people are most likely to complain of floaters. Most floaters eventually become less noticeable and are considered benign.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease marked by an increase in the pressure that the fluids within the eyeball exert on other parts of the eye. It is frequently asymptomatic in the early stages and often goes undetected. It is a leading cause of blindness among older adults. Although the aging process is a factor, other causes include serious eye injuries, eye surgery, certain medications, including steroids, and eye tumors. For additional information on this disorder, see Glaucoma in this section.

Macular degeneration is a condition in which the macula, the central area of the retina, deteriorates, resulting in the loss of sharp vision . It is the leading cause of severe loss of vision in both the United States and Europe for those over fifty-five years or older. In addition to aging, risk factors include atherosclerosis and hypertension. Macular degeneration may also be linked to nutritional deficiencies. Heredity may also play a role.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Night blindness is often a symptom of retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that causes deterioration of the rods (cells which distinguish light and dark) in the retina and progressive loss of sight.

Recommendations:

The following supplements are recommended:

Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disease that affects approximately 1 out of every 3700 people. In this disorder, metabolic flaws slowly but progressively destroy retinal cells. The first symptom is usually loss of night vision, beginning in adolescence or young adulthood, followed by loss of peripheral vision and ultimately, blindness, which sets in anywhere between the ages of thirty and eighty.

Recommendations:

Retinopathy is a serious visual disorder characterized by hemorrhages of the retinal blood vessels. It is usually associated with either hypertension or diabetes, and is a major cause of blindness among diabetics. Unfortunately, there are few warnings signs; the condition usually causes no symptoms until it is relatively advanced.

Recommendations:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Herbs:

Recommendations:

Several prescription and/or over-the-counter drugs can cause damage to the eyes, including the following:

Considerations:

1. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating eye diseases, perform eye surgery, give eye tests, and prescribe corrective lenses.
2. Optometrists are not medical doctors, but are licensed by the states to give eye tests and treat nonsurgical eye problems. They can prescribe corrective lenses, and in some states they can prescribe medication as well.
3. Opticians fill prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses. Only twenty-six states require opticians to be licensed.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide

Compiled by Burton Goldberg