Aside from the recommendations given above, there are specific things you can do for certain eye conditions.
Cataracts are an opaque or hazy cloud that develops inside the lens of the eye. Nearly half of all indivduals will develop cataracts by the time they reach age 65. But it doesn't have to be this way. Cataracts are caused by free radical damage to the proteins in the lens. Smoking, exposure to UV light from snow, on beaches, or in tanning salons hastens the damage. However, the vision formula suggested in addition to ascorbyl palmitate, astaxanthin and vitamin E have been shown to reduce the incidence of cataract.
Glaucoma affects about 3 million Americans and is considered a disease of stress. In many cases, it can result from taking multiple medications. Both cataracts and glaucoma can be the result of long term use of photosensitizing drugs such as gout medications, cholesterol lowering drugs, antibiotics and diuretics. According to ophthalmologist Dr. Robert Abel, the number one condition suffered by glaucoma patients is high blood pressure. Abel's recommendations include eating a diet rich in magnesium and potassium-containg foods such as those mentioned above. He also recomends most of the supplements mentioned in this article with the addition of Triphala, a combination of three Ayurvedic fruits - Amla, Behda, Harada. He has found that it can reduce intra-ocular pressure (a characteristic of glaucoma) by 20 percent. NOW Triphala extract contains 45 percent tannins and comes in 1,000 mg tablets. Suggested dosage is 3 tablets per day in divided doses, before meals.
Retinopathy. This condition is associated with obesity and diabetes, and affects the blood vessels in the retina and the photosensitive layer that covers the eye. Normally leak proof, retinopathy allows small amounts of blood to enter eye fluids. Vitamin C accompanied by bioflavonoids including Pycnogenol or Grape Seed Extracts; standardized to 90% OPCs, helps capillary walls and prevent leakage. Dr. Lester Packer, the esteemed University of California biochemist suggest that alpha lipoic acid can address the antioxidant needs of diabetic patients. NOW offers ALA in potencies raging from 100 to 400 mg.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration is the worldwide leading cause of vision loss in people over 50. In the U.S. alone, 10 percent of those over 65 have some AMD and the number of individuals having the condition increases with age. Like the other eye conditions, AMD is preventable. The back of the eye has a small yellow spot called the macula that covers the end of the optic nerve. The macula is yellow because of the carotenoids it contains - specifically lutein and zeaxanthin. Eating lutein and zeaxanthin rich foods can protect this very sensitive area of the eye. Harvard's Dr. Johanna Seddon and her colleagues found that higher intake of fatty foods and trans fat prevalent in snack foods increased the risk of AMD. Whereas high intaked of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables reduced the risk of AMD. While such a diet is protective, it's never too late to take measures to prevent progression of the condition. Researchers at the National Eye Institue found patients with early AMD who took supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin reduced disease progression by 20 percent. Why not start before problems arise.
