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OPTIMIZE YOUR HEALTH AUGUST 2007 Seeing clearly is the focus of this month’s newsletter. Protecting our vision through good health practices such as eating well, exercising on a regular basis and getting regular care from your physician and eye doctor are recommended. Read more about how to insure your eye health. MEDICAL NEWS
Dry Eye Syndrome is also referred to as Keratitis Sicca or Xerophthalmia. Many have experienced dry eyes on occasion. But for some individuals, dry eyes can be a chronic condition associated with significant discomfort and even interfering with optimal vision. Dry eye syndrome is an extremely common condition, thought to affect approximately 60 million Americans. The cause is usually unclear, but there appears to be an imbalance between tear production and tear volume drainage via the nasolacrimal ducts.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEWS
Typically we think of vision as referring to the seeing of objects or materials in our environment. You can see the words you are reading and the keyboard in front of you. There is another type of “vision” that can improve our wellness (mind and body) – it’s called imagery. Imagery has been used longer than spoken language to communicate to others and to ourselves. When using imagery to communicate with the body, it is easy to understand how effective it is.
EXERCISE NEWS
We are all aware of the multitude of health benefits physical activity offers. But did you know that exercise can even help preserve our vision? People who do not want to develop vision loss conditions such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) should consider staying active and exercise moderately on a regular basis. According to research carried out by a team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, regular exercise is very effective against age-related macular degeneration.
NUTRITIONAL NEWS
If you or someone you love has pre-diabetes or diabetes, you should know how to decrease the risks of developing eye complications. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. Diabetic retinopathy is a general term for all disorders of the retina caused by diabetes. There are two major types of retinopathy: nonproliferative and proliferative. Other eye disorders common in diabetic patients are glaucoma and cataracts. Diabetes patients should make sure to have a dilated eye exam yearly.
SUPPLEMENT CABINET Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness for people aged 50 and older in North America. It affects more than 10 million Americans. There are two types of macular degeneration: "dry" and "wet." About 90% of cases of macular degeneration are the "dry" type. In this type, the deterioration of the retina is associated with the formation of small yellow deposits, known as drusen. Central vision loss is related to retinal thinning caused by the drusen. In the "wet" type, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and macula. These new blood vessels may then bleed and leak fluid, causing the macula to bulge or lift, and distorting central vision. There are not too many treatment options for AMD, so prevention is key. Read more...
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