The Eyes Have It!

by D.M. Murdock

There are few organs more appreciated than the eyes. It has been said that the eyes are the "window to the soul," and it may be truthfully stated that eyesight provides a wondrous perspective of life. We would all like to have terrific and clear vision to see and enjoy the world. Unfortunately, human eyes tend to be very weak, and eye problems are rife.

The human eye does not reach "maturity" in the sense of "perfect vision" until after the age of 5. Frequently, children under that age are diagnosed with "poor vision" and prescribed corrective lenses, whereas their vision may in fact be normal for their age. Because wearing corrective lenses or glasses may contribute to the atrophy of vision, it is important that we generally wait until children are at least five years old before putting eyeglasses on them. After that point, if glasses are necessary they may bring relief to a troublingly blurry world.

As we age, our eyesight usually begins to diminish again. The age of 40 is a milestone that tends to bring about decreased visual acuity. At this point, some of us who have escaped earlier eye exams unscathed may be forced to wear glasses, at least for small tasks or driving. Macular degenerative disease also begins to rear its ugly head at a certain point, a disease that may eventually lead to blindness. Gerontologist Dr. Aubrey de Grey states that macular degeneration is caused by an accumulation of "junk" in the back of the retina. While the "sight impaired" can live full and rich lives, few things strike such fear into our hearts as total blindness. That is how much vision is appreciated.

There are many things that you can do to improve and salvage your eyesight. The easiest procedure is to avoid injury, whether from the outside in the form of a blow, toxins or grit, or from the inside through the ingestion of unhealthful substances.

Eat right for good sight

Many nutrients contribute to healthy eyesight, including vitamin A, its precursor beta carotene and other carotenoids such as lutein, as well as bilberry and other herbs. Vitamin A deficiency is known to cause blindness and night blindness. In the absence of adequate vitamin A, the retinal pigment "visual purple" is destroyed by fluorescent lighting present in many offices, leading to potential vision impairment. Lutein is a nutrient found in egg yolks and dark green leafy vegetables that protects the eyes from ultraviolet light and may be beneficial in the treatment of macular degeneration. Zeaxanthin is another carotenoid present in brightly colored fruits and vegetables that helps protect vision and guard against age-related macrular degeneration. Carotenoid-rich foods include:

• kale
• spinach
• collard greens
• turnip greens
• lettuce
• broccoli
• corn
• peas
• brussels sprouts

As concerns eye health, Julian Whitaker, MD, recommends the following:

Eat foods that boost vision. Start by emphasizing foods that contain carotenoids, which are highly nutritious chemical compounds found in many fruits and vegetables. Your best choices are spinach and other green leafy vegetables, tomatoes and other brightly colored fruits, grapes (seeds and all), red and yellow onions, and the beverage green tea.1

The deficiency of the mineral zinc and vitamin A have also been shown to cause night blindness. Moderate supplementation of these nutrients, as well as improvement in diet, may have a beneficial affect. Vitamin A should be used cautiously, however, as it accumulates in the liver and can be toxic in high doses. Even moderate doses, such as are found in colostrum and cod liver oil, can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, including cold-like symptons such as mucus and sneezing. A good diet can also be very helpful for cataracts.

Eye exercises

Dr. Whitaker also recommends various eye exercises and supplements. There have been many programs over the years that have emphasized eye exercises, some of which have claimed great success. Some people have found exercises tedious and difficult, while others attest that they are very useful.

Bloodshot eyes

Some little known sources of bloodshot eyes include the following medicines and herbs:

• aspirin
• cayenne
• coumadin/warfarin
• garlic
• ginger
• ginkgo
• ginseng
• St. John's wort2

For dry eyes or dry-eye syndrome, the fatty acid omega-3, found in fish such as halibut, salmon, sardines and tuna, as well as in fish oils and flaxseed oil, may be beneficial. Walnuts are another good source.

Sight surgery

Surgery to improve vision, such as Lasik, is very popular today. Laser treatments have been utilized with impressive success. However, some studies suggest that such treatments can be damaging in certain cases. It is always wise to proceed with caution when it comes to surgery of any sort. Nevertheless, in the case of severe eye problems that may be treatable through surgery, including "wet" macular degeneration, an improved quality of life can be attained, which, in providing a more positive outlook, may increase overall health and longevity.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may occur as a result of arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, which has the effect of preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching the retina. While macular degeneration affects the vision in the center of the eye, it does not destroy peripheral vision and thus does not cause complete blindness. Symptoms of macular degeneration include:

• difficulty reading, sewing or other close work
• waviness of straight edges

Women are more prone to getting AMD. Other factors include family history, obesity, poor diet, sunlight damage and smoking. Certain herbs such as gingko biloba may be helpful in treating AMD.

For age-related eyesight degeneration, it is better to apply sensible preventive measures than to attempt to fix the problem later through more drastic measures. In other words, listen to your mother and eat your carrots!

Sources:

Puotinen, CJ, "Age-related Macular Degeneration," tasteforlife, January 2006