Top 6 Vitamins And Herbs For Eye Health

Tired and sore eyes can be a problem for computer users. Given the full day that many of us have, it's no wonder our eyes sometimes suffer. And they are the first place to show the effects of tiredness and stress.

In a perfect world, we would get all of our vitamins from food. However, modern farming practices and the depletion of nutrients in soil often results in fruit and vegetables having significantly less minerals and vitamins than they used to, when everything was 'organic'. Foods labeled and sold as organic these days tend to have more vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and less of the harmful nitrates and other residues from pesticides.
However, not everyone has ready access to organic food, or the money to buy it for the whole family. Thus, vitamin supplements are a good option to help us get our missing nutrients.

Here is a list of the top 6 vitamins, herbs, and phytonutrients to help alleviate the problem of sore, dry eyes, and maintain good vision:
1. Bilberry - Bilberry is a herb used for both gastrointestinal and eye health. The active ingredients are called anthocyanosides, which are a type of flavanoid. Anthocyanosides are antioxidants that help improve the flow of blood through the capillaries in eyes. They help eyes adjust quickly to changes in light, and improve sharpness of vision.
Bilberry has also been shown to be effective in stopping the progression of cataracts when taken with vitamin E. It's also used to treat diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.

2. Vitamin A - Vitamin A is important for good night vision, and may play a role in preventing cataracts.

3. Grapeseed - Grapeseed is good for the peripheral circulation in our eyes. It also strengthens the capillaries.

4. Eyebright - Eyebright makes a great eye home remedy. Steep it in hot water to let the herb infuse, then remove the herb and cool the remaining liquid. You could put it in the freezer to cool it down quickly if you don't have any infused eyebright on hand in the fridge. Once its cool, use it as an eye bath, or a compress. It's great for sore eyes, and has an anti-inflammatory and soothing action.

5. Omega 3 Fatty Acids - Research from Harvard Medical school has found that taking omega 3 oils reduces the chance of getting dry eyes. Try taking 3 to 6 grams of a good quality fish oil supplement daily.

6. Lutein - Lutein is one example of a type of plant nutrient known as carotenoids. Better known examples include beta carotene and alpha carotene. Carotenoids are responsible for giving fruit and vegetables their distinctive colors, and the brightness of a fruit or vegetable is a good indicator of how much carotenoids it has in it. Those with a rich color have a higher concentration.

Lutein, beta, and alpha carotene are converted by the body into vitamin A. And lutein is found in very high concentrations in the macula of the eye. Lutein is used to help prevent macular degeneration, which is a big problem for people over 40 years of age. Macular degeneration can lead to blindness. Lutein is thought to work as an antioxidant in this capacity.
Other solutions for dry eyes include soaking chamomile tea bags and placing them on both eyes when they are cool. Chamomile helps reduce redness and swelling around the eye. Iced milk can also be used on a compress for sore eyes. Soak cotton wool or gauze pads with very cold milk (the coolness helps narrow blood vessels), and the fat in milk is very soothing for dry skin.

Eye Health And Extended Wear Contact Lenses

An ever growing number of people who wear contact lenses are turning to using extended wear contact lenses. There are many benefits to be realized through the use of extended wear contact lenses. Perhaps the greatest benefit to be realized from the use extended wear contact lenses is found in the fact that they are very, very convenient. In reality, if a person so desired, he or she could “plop” a pair of extended wear contact lenses into his or her eyes and basically forget about them for thirty days.

In reality, a person who elects to use extended wear contact lenses needs to be a bit more at attentive to his or her eyes. In point of fact, merely “plopping” lenses into one’s eyes and then forgetting about them for several weeks really is not the best of all possible practices.
Many eye doctors actually recommend removing even extended wear lenses from a person’s eyes on a daily basis for cleaning. Even with extended wear lenses, dirt and debris accumulate on the lenses in a very short period of time. Despite the fact that extended wear lenses are designed to remain in place for longer periods of time, this does not mean that dirt and debris accumulation will not occur at least on some level.

A good number of extended wear contact lens users actually report greater eye comfort when they do remove their lenses for cleaning on a daily basis. (Some consumers report that that are able to use a specific pair of extended wear contact lenses for an … extended … period of time through a routine that include daily cleaning of the lenses.
Some eye doctors are a bit more drastic in their recommendations regarding extended wear lenses. These docs contend that even extended wear lenses should not be work when a person intends to sleep for more than several hours. In other words, these eye doctors literally are suggesting and recommending that extended wear lenses should removed each and every night -- which, of course, rather defeats the purpose of using extended wear lenses in the first instance.

In the final analysis, when it comes to more traditional or extended wear lenses, it is important to consult with a qualified eye doctor to determine what type of lens will best suit your particular needs. No matter what type of contact lens you elect to utilize, you will need to make sure that you have regular eye examinations and that you maintain your lenses properly through cleaning on a regular basis.

Eye Health – Taking Care Of Your Eyes

Eye Health is not something that you should ever take for granted. Your eyes are extremely important and proper eye health care is something you should always practice. Did you know that by making small changes to your lifestyle that you could improve the health of your eyes and minimize your risk of developing conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration?
In order to help you take care of the health of your eye we have come up with 10 great ways to keep your eye healthy.

Top 10 Guide To Eye Health Care
1. Diet: Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of developing vision problems. Did you know that there are eye friendly nutrients that can be found in many of your everyday fruit and vegetables? These foods can help to protect you from age related macular degeneration and they include peaches, blueberries, avocado, spinach, red peppers, kale, and leeks.? Omega 3 fatty acids are also good for the eyes and these can be found in cold water fish such as sardines, tuna, and mackerel.

2. Regular Exercise: Oxygen is a vital component for healthy eyes. It has been scientifically proven that aerobic exercise increases oxygen supplies to the optic nerve and helps to lower pressure in the eye which can be a cause of glaucoma. Aerobic exercises can also help to prevent diabetes from progressing which can lead to diabetic retinopathy. It is recommended that you do at least 30 minutes exercise 5 days a week. Cycling and swimming are excellent for reducing intraocular pressure.

3. Sleep: Sleep is great for keeping your eyes feeling bright and refreshed. Fatigue and lack of sleep can lead to irritated eyes, puffy eyes, sore eyes, and even red and bloodshot eyes. If you suffer from any of these there is a quick fix that you can try. Cold compresses are great and after 10 minutes your eyes will feel bright and alive again.

4. Give Up Smoking: Smoking increases your risk of eye disease not to mention other bodily diseases such as cancer so if you smoke try to quit now.

5. Protect Your Eyes: Whether its swimming, or DIY, always ensure that you use adequate eye protection. Did you know that there is a DIY related eye accident every 25 minutes?

6. Reduce Your alcohol Intake: Too much alcohol not only has an effect on your liver but it also reduces the levels of glutathione in your body and this antioxidant helps to protect you against common eye diseases.

7. Sun Protection: Too much exposure to the sun can cause damage to your eyes. This sunburn like condition is known as photokeratitis and is extremely painful. If you are going out in the sun make sure you wear protective sunglasses.

8. Watch Your Weight: Weight may seem irrelevant to eye care but it has been proven that damage to blood vessels in the eyes causes by excess body weight has also been linked to glaucoma and diabetes.

9. Drink Water: Drink plenty of water at least 8 glasses per day. Water is essential for normal bodily function and it helps to keep your eyes healthy too. If your body becomes dehydrated your eye will become dry and sore.

10. Check Your Eye Checked: Regular eye check ups are a must. You should have your eyes tested every two years and this will help to detect any vision problems.

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Optics Place Site. Please see Medical Disclaimer

Can Vitamin Supplementation Prevent Vision Loss?

Macular degeneration affects central vision, and some sufferers can no longer read books, write out checks, find phone numbers in a directory, watch television, or see the facial expressions of their loved ones. Simple tasks become impossible and frustration is common. Patients may feel alone because no one they know can relate to macular degeneration’s devastating effects. Not even a new prescription for glasses can restore the individual’s poor eyesight. Many age-related macular degeneration patients fear that they will go to sleep and wake up to nothing but complete darkness.

What Is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a debilitating eye disease affecting the elderly. Within the eye is the macula, an area that allows people to see fine details and colors. Macular degeneration prevents the macula from properly functioning and the vision becomes blurred. The most distinguishing aspect of this eye disease is that round spots cover the sufferer’s field of vision so that it is difficult to see things that are straight ahead. Fine details are impossible to see, but the person’s peripheral vision is unchanged.

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry age-related macular degeneration is the result of fatty tissues called drusen building up beneath the retina. Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessels forming in the eye. Up to 90 percent of people diagnosed with macular degeneration have the dry form.

Ways to Prevent Macular Degeneration
Doctors say that there is no way to undo the harm that this eye disease has caused to the macula, but there are a few things that may lower your risks. These include quitting smoking, losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and taking a vitamin supplement for macular degeneration. Also, if you have a history of macular degeneration in your family, you are at a higher risk for developing the disease. You will need to see an eye specialist frequently for preventative care.

Take Your Vitamins
Doctors agree that nothing will reverse the damage caused by age-related macular degeneration, but studies have revealed interesting data in regards to this eye disease. Yellow and green vegetables help prevent age-related macular degeneration. Vegetables like squash, corn, broccoli, and spinach contain a variety of nutrients and antioxidants including lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids. These vitamins and minerals may actually prevent macular degeneration in some people.

Doctors suggest that people choose a vitamin supplement for macular degeneration like VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula that contains lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. In fact, some retina specialists believe that this combination of vitamins and minerals are of benefit to people who are already suffering from macular degeneration in one eye. VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula may actually slow the drusen forming in the macula and prevent the eye disease from forming in the other eye.

Keep Those Eye Doctor Appointments
One important aspect of senior eye health is to see your eye doctor often. You may already have age-related macular degeneration, but not be exhibiting symptoms. A retina specialist can determine if you have any eye diseases during an exam when your eyes are fully dilated.

Expect to have a dilated eye exam every few years or more often if you already have an eye disease. You may also need more frequent eye exams if you are overweight, are a smoker, or have a history of age-related macular degeneration in your family. All of these factors contribute to a higher incidence of this eye disease.

Self-help For Vision Loss

Vision problems are on the rise, especially among older adults. According to the American Foundation for the Blind, an estimated 70 to 75 percent of all new cases of visual impairment occur in people over 65.

Celia B. is just one example of how to deal with vision problems. She wakes to the sound of her alarm clock. The clock, with its black face and stark white contrasting numbers and hands, sits on a table next to her bed. Her stand magnifier is nearby on a recent copy of Reader's Digest's large-print magazine.

Celia heads for the bathroom. Since she's redecorated it with color-contrasted towels, bath mat and shower curtain, and added the magnifying makeup mirror, her day gets off to a good start. Ready to hear the television news, Celia presses the adapted remote control (so much easier to use with its light-colored, raised buttons against the black case). Watching television is also much more pleasurable since she purchased the acrylic TV screen enlarger, which virtually doubles the size of the picture.

After a while, Celia prepares to organize her day and writes her usual list of things to do. Using a writing frame and felt-tip pen, she records the items she needs from the local supermarket. Her friend also needs to visit the same store, so this will be an opportunity to practice walking with a "sighted guide." The lessons given by the orientation and mobility specialist from the local agency for the blind have given her much more confidence when moving about both inside and outside her home.

Time for breakfast, and the whistling kettle reminds her to turn off the burner; the liquid level indicator placed in her mug "beeps" when the liquid gets close to the rim, and the easily adjustable knife slicer means she can enjoy her favorite (uncut) bread from the local Italian food store.

Using a check-writing guide, she writes a few checks and envelopes, and with the help of her large-print telephone dial, calls a local restaurant to make a luncheon reservation for two. She then calls her hairstylist to make an appointment and enters the time in her large-print diary.
These adaptations are samples of possible solutions to accomplishing everyday activities-safely and effectively. No two people use precisely the same approach, but there are solutions for everyone.

The self-help site was designed for adults who are blind or have low vision, their families and those who work with them. It was developed with support provided from Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation.
Simple adaptations can help people with vision loss find ways to accomplish everyday activities.

Regular Eye Tests May Prevent Age-Related Blindness

People over 50 should have regular eye examinations at least one a year to detect the early signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in that age group.

This is highly recommended for patients considered at risk for AMD such as smokers, those with high blood pressure or coronary heart disease, light skin or eye color, and people with a diet low in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Doctors say early treatment is effective and can stop further vision loss. This is carried out by means of photodynamic (PDT) or laser therapy.
AMD affects 30 million people worldwide and causes loss of central vision. Of the two types, the less common wet form of AMD causes severe and dramatic vision loss in two to three years. This is due to the presence of abnormal blood vessels that damage the macula – the light-sensitive part of the eye.

“The rapid progression of AMD makes detection at an early stage likely to reduce the high risk of severe vision loss. Patients should also carry out self-monitoring, which, in conjunction with regular eye tests, will help detect the disease as early as possible,” said Dr. Michael Sickenberg of Hospital Ophtalmique Universitaire Jules Gonin in Switzerland.

One simple test is the Amsler Grid. This is a pattern of straight lines in the form of a square with a dot on the center. The patient covers one eye at a time and focuses on the center dot. If the person sees wavy or fuzzy lines, he or she may be suffering from AMD. Visual distortions due to wet AMD may cause straight lines to appear bent. The size and color of objects may also appear differently with each eye.

Those with the wet form of AMD can greatly benefit from a drug that is injected into the patient’s bloodstream and is activated by a non-heat producing laser light. This starts a chemical process that destroys abnormal blood vessels and stops the progression of vision loss.
If old age causes the skin surrounding your eyes to look puffy, baggy, and ugly, get help with Eyevive. This powerful cream helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, and other signs of aging.

Vision Loss: Keep An Eye On It!

Probably the eyes are the most noticeable part of the face in any human being. The eyes are said to be the “windows to our soul.” It is obvious how valuable our eyes are in everyday life. Our eyes are invaluable assets that must be used every single day at home and at work. They start to work from the moment we wake up --- to the time we close them to go to sleep.

The stresses of our jobs and even duties at home can also put a strain on our visual system. The use of glasses and contact lenses and the natural wear and tear that comes with the aging process can leave our eyes red and tired. It is true that our eyes are among the most neglected organs in our body.
True enough, our eyes are the most used “appliance” in our working body, and as such, they also suffer the most. Headaches related to eye fatigue are also common among people who work long hours reading or working in front of the computer. Excessive watching of television is also a leading cause of eye strain and other vision-related problems. Those who overwork their eyes often suffer from visual migraines.

Since the eyes are such integral part of our existence, proper care is needed to protect them. Having an annual eye exam is specifically recommended to prevent any eye diseases. In addition, many eye diseases start in childhood, so it is important for children to receive proper eye care treatment from the time they are still infants.

According to research, there is a continuous case of vision loss in the world today, but half of all blindness can be protected. The goal of an annual exam is to minimize the adverse effects on the eye and the vision to prevent it from getting worse. But there are certain signs that can detect if you are suffering from vision loss, check out below if you have any of these:

• frequent eyeglass prescription changes
• difficulty in recognizing people
• holding books or reading materials too close to the eyes
• bumping into objects
• finds lightning either too bright or too dim
• acts disoriented or confused

If you, or one of your loved ones are experiencing any of these, consult an eye doctor immediately. Many forms of vision loss are preventable if tracked down early. Keeping yourself in good health and taking necessary precautions to care for your eyes will go a long way. A regular eye examination will help you detect possible eye diseases and prevent blindness.
Many eye diseases, if detected early, can be successfully treated. You can lessen the risk of eye disease and vision loss if you follow the following tips:

• Eat healthy food
• Do some eye exercise regularly and stay active
• Control your cholesterol levels, blood pressure or other health problem
• Quit smoking

So, protect your eyes and those of your loved ones. Overall health care involves undergoing annual eye examinations. The eyes you have will be yours forever. Treat them right and they will never be out of sight.

Women At Higher Risk For Vision Loss

More women than men are at risk for vision loss. In fact, of the 3.4 million Americans age 40 and older who are visually impaired, 75 percent are women.

Of the four leading causes of blindness in older Americans - age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy - the rate of women's cases outnumbers the men in all four categories. And because women on average tend to outlive men, they are even more affected by age-related eye diseases.

There are no cures for these diseases, but vision loss can be delayed significantly if detected and treated early. Prevent Blindness America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving sight, encourages women to get their eyes checked regularly by an eye care professional at least once every other year, especially those who are 55 or older. Women with diabetes may need to go more often. All women should visit their eye doctor, even if they have no problems seeing.

Bent Lines May Signal Age-Related Blindness

People who see the world differently with their eyes aren’t necessarily being romantic or cynical. They may be suffering from a serious disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.

Indeed, for 30 million people worldwide who have AMD, the world is a different place. Straight lines such as doorframes or posts appear bent while the size and color of objects may appear differently with each eye.

All this is caused by damage to the macula – the light-sensitive part of the eye that gives people their central vision. No one knows why this happens but risk factors for AMD include smoking, hypertension, coronary heart disease, race, sun exposure, and a diet low in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

There are two types of AMD. The dry form affects 90 percent of people but vision deteriorates slowly or not at all. In the less common wet form that affects only 10 percent of people, there is severe vision loss in two to three years. This is caused by abnormal blood vessels that form in the back of the eye and block vision.

“As the disease progresses, patients may begin to experience difficulties in performing normal daily tasks such as reading, telling time, or distinguishing colors and facial expressions. Furthermore, impaired vision may decrease mobility and increase the risk of injury due to falls – patients with AMD have a 70 percent increased risk of falling at least twice in 12 months,” according to Dr. Michael Sickenberg of Hospital Ophtalmique Universitaire Jules Gonin in Switzerland.

“Vision impairment as a result of AMD can also significantly reduce the patient’s ability to cope with basic aspects of everyday life and can lead to anxiety, depression, anger, reduced drive, tiredness, and confusion,” he added.
Consult an ophthalmologist or eye specialist if you suspect you have AMD. The wet form can be treated by drugs that stop further vision loss.

If you look tired, haggard, and old, chances are you have dark circles or eye bags under or around your eyes that can greatly affect your appearance. In most cases, these conditions are caused by the aging process. To revitalize your eyes, use Eyevive, a product that safely reverses the effects of aging around the eyes.

Seeings While Affected With Blindness

Being blind, is just simply the condition of not having visual perception. Like everything medical, and even today non-medical there is a more 'advanced' definition of blindness. This definition in North America is defined as having 20/200 or less in an individual's best eye after eye correction, such as contact lenses, or glasses. 20/200 means that you would stand 20 ft away from an object and see the same thing as someone with normal eyesight would see from 200ft.

Distance is one of the major factors in determining blindness, with the second being the visual field. A normal person has a visual field of 180 degrees, with someone who is blind having merely 20 degrees. Alot of times we assume that when someone is legally blind that they cannot see anything at all. This assumption holds true in ten percent of cases, with the rest having some vision. Even just some light perception accounts for vision.

One of the leading causes of blindness is Diseases. The most common causes of blindness around the world as determined by WHO (World Health Organization) are:

• cataracts (47.8%)
• glaucoma (12.3%)
• age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (8.7%)
• corneal opacity (5.1%)
• diabetic retinopathy (4.8%)
• trachoma (3.6%)

Developing countries are greatly more prone to developing visual impairment as it is one of the consequences of treatable or preventable conditions, that they simply just cannot afford.