Eye Health
An American survey asking which disability people feared most revealed that the thought of going blind was the most distressing.
Imagine not being able to see a rainbow, the sunset, a child’s face. It is no surprise this is one of the most feared disabilities.
Sadly, there are numerous health conditions that can lead to reduced eyesight, especially age-related ailments such as diabetes.
Eye problems can be a symptom of something more serious. If you experience eye problems, always check with your GP and/or optician before any treatment and monitor your progress carefully. There are a number of vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies that can offer considerable benefits in eye health. This leaflet highlights some of them. Please contact us for further advice.
Age-related macular degeneration
The macula retinae, also called the macula lutea, is an oval disc on the retina in the back of the eye. Degeneration of the macula retinae is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. Recommended Supplements:
Antioxidants
Carotenoids
Ginkgo biloba
Bilberry
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens sufficient to reduce vision. Most cataracts develop slowly as a result of the aging process, and lead to a gradual reduction in vision. Recommended Supplements:
Antioxidants
Pycnogenol
Bilberry
Carotenoids
Conjunctivitis and blepharitis
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the clear membrane that lines the eye. It is caused most commonly by infection from viruses or bacteria, or by an allergic reaction
though other causes exist, such as overexposure to sun, wind, smog, chlorine, or contact lens solution. Pinkeye is the common name for conjunctivitis. Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid; most commonly, it is caused by a bacterial infection. Recommended Suplements:
Dry eye
Dry eye refers to a syndrome resulting from many conditions that produce abnormalities of tear film flow and/or stability, rather than denoting a specific disease. Recommended Supplements:
Poor eyesight (long and short sightedness) Recommeneded Supplements:
Chromium
Antioxidants
Bilberry
Eyebright
Ginkgo biloba
Retinopathy
Damage of the retina. Recommended Supplements:
Pycnogenol
Bilberry
Ginkgo biloba
Antioxidants
The key eye-sight supplements
Antioxidants
Free radical damage is the major contributing factor in the development of degenerative eye disorders. An antioxidant formula containing vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium would help in neutralising the harmful effects of free radicals.
Research indicates that adding vitamin C supplements to what you eat helps control or even prevent glaucoma by decreasing pressure in the eyes (Annals of Ophthalmology). Also, the Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group found a link between insufficient vitamin C intake and macular degeneration (Journal of the American Medical Association). In addition, cataract risk has been reported to be 45 percent lower among women who use vitamin C supplements for 10 years or more (British Medical Journal).
Researchers at Louisiana State University revealed the clinical relevance of zinc when they gave 151 subjects with macular degeneration either zinc pills or a placebo. Those who took zinc had significantly less visual loss after one to two years of treatment than the group on the dummy pill.
Bilberry
(Vaccinium myrtillus)
By improving the circulation to the eye, strengthening the eye tissue and increasing oxygen and energy levels in the eye tissue, Bilberry offers major benefits in the prevention and treatment of many eye disorders.
Bilberry has a long-standing reputation as an herb for the eyes. Legend has it that in World War II, British Royal Air Force pilots who spread bilberry jam on their bread saw better during night missions. Science confirms that bilberries contain a high amount of anthocyanidins and may ward off cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Ginkgo Biloba
With its antioxidant properties and its ability to improve circulation and protect capillaries, ginkgo has demonstrated its benefit in retinal protection and treatment in experimental trials.
Carotenoids
(Lutein, zeaxanthin)
The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, found in brightly coloured vegetables, help protect the visual centre (the macule) of the eye from free radical damage and can reduce our risk for developing macular degeneration.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that individuals who consumed the highest amount of lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich vegetables had a 43 percent reduced risk of developing macular degeneration compared with those who ate the lowest amount.
Lutein in the lens acts as nature's own sunglasses. Lutein and a related carotene zeaxanthin, produced by the body from lutein, absorb blue light, the most dangerous type of light for the eyes. The cornea (a clear shield spanning the outer eyes) and lens filter out much ultraviolet light; yet, visible blue light still reaches the retina.
Lutein in the macula helps protect your eyes from photochemical damage from ultraviolet, high-energy visible light.
Numerous studies have now confirmed these initial findings, and doctors are recommending a regular intake of antioxidant nutrients including these important carotenoids.
To ensure you're getting adequate lutein and other carotenes, eat at least five servings of brightly coloured vegetables each day (dark green, red and orange). If you choose to supplement your diet with these nutrients, select a product containing a mixture of different carotenes to maintain a balance in your body.
Researchers from Boston's Harvard Medical School studied the eating habits of 50,000 nurses for eight years. Subjects who ate more carotene-rich foods were less likely to develop cataracts.
Chromium
According to a study in the Journal of the International Academy of Preventive Medicine, chromium deficiency is strongly tied to the development and progression of nearsightedness. Chromium is needed for the proper function of the ciliary muscles, the muscles that help the eyes focus. If there isn't enough chromium in our bloodstream, say the researchers, then sustained eye focusing can't be maintained.
Because refined carbohydrates, such as white flour, white rice and sugar are very low in chromium, eating a diet composed primarily of these foods can cause a chromium deficiency over time. Along with chromium, it's important to eat foods rich in folic acid and vitamin C as both of these nutrients work with chromium to promote proper function of the ciliary muscles.
Eyebright
(Euphrasia officinalis)
Eyebright was used by ancient Greeks to treat eye infections. The name euphrasia is derived from the Greek euphrosyne, which means "gladness." It's believed the name was given to the plant because eyebright induced happiness by facilitating sight.
Eyebright contains tannins, iridoid glycosides, the flavonoids quercetin and rutin, vitamin C, essential fatty acids, the glycoside aucuboside, caffeic and ferulic acids, sterols, choline, some basic compounds, and a volatile oil. There are few studies showing the efficacy of Eyebright, but many traditional herbalists are passionate about its use in eye health.
Hemp Seed oil
Therapy with essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic and gamma linolenic acid reduce eye inflammation and improve dry eye symptoms.
Oregon Grape
This herb is a natural immune stimulant, antibiotic and anti-infective. The active ingredient in Oregon Grape is berberine, which is effective against a broad range of bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Berberine has shown efficacy against Chlamydia, E. coli, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, and Candida Albicans and many more. Berberine’s action against some of these pathogens is actually stronger than that of commonly used antibiotics.
Pycnogenol & Grape Seed Extract
Anthocyanidins are the flavonoids that give produce their summer shades of red, blue and purple. Like carotenes, anthocyanidins are antioxidants instrumental in deactivating eye-harming free radical molecules. However, anthocyanidins have the added benefit of reinforcing blood vessels, thus improving blood flow and the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the eyes, thereby bolstering overall eye strength. Anthocyanidins are found in high levels
in pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) and Grape seed extract.
Taurine
Taurine is thought to have high antioxidant properties and so is able to protect cell membranes from oxidative damage and also counteract the effects of human ageing. Taurine is an inhibitor of hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical. It has been shown to prevent lipid peroxidation in cataractous lenses. The eye lens contains a significant concentration of taurine, a sulfonated amino acid, and its precursor hypotaurine. It is thought that taurine and hypotaurine may have the function of protecting the lens proteins against glycation and subsequent denaturation, in addition to their other functions. Taurine is also found in human tears and is especially rich in eye tissue particularly the cornea. Many multi purpose contact lens solutions now contain taurine.
Diet and lifestyle
High carbohydrate foods deplete the body of the important eye-nutrient, Chromium. Cut back on sugar and other high carbohydrate foods. Eat more vegetables and low carbohydrate foods.
If you are a smoker —stop. Smoking depletes levels of carotenoids and vitamin C in the body and specifically in the eye.
NOTE: This leaflet is not intended to replace the guidance of a health practitioner. Consult your doctor if you are already taking medication.