Eye Disorders:

Alternative treatments are most often used in conjunction with allopathic treatments, to increase positive outcomes and reduce risk of side effects from allopathic drugs. Do not self treat for any of these conditions without first consulting your eye care specialist to make sure you have a correct diagnosis and understand your treatment options.

Many Alternative treatments are not listed as "pharmaceutically" FDA approved treatments and will never be. There are billions of dollars pumped into TV, Radio And Print advertising of Pharmaceutical Drugs that pay back in MORE BILLIONS to the manufacturers. Many of these drugs help short term in acute conditions, but long term can poison you! Even though a bottle of Vitamin "C" does slow down the development of cataracts (and is very unlikely to ever cause a side effect) there is no "big money" in promoting it to you, so you will not likely see it "pushed" in advertising like profitable drugs. This is the truth behind many natural treatments such as herbal and vitamin supplements.

Arterial Hardening is a Systemic (whole body) medical problem that is "seen" through the eyes. It is a common cause of loss of vision as well as a cause of Stroke and Heart Attack. There are two major different types of hardening that we will differentiate briefly. The first type (arteriolar sclerosis) is a generalized change in which the entire length of arteries appears narrowed and stiffened. The second type (atherosclerotic plaque) is a focal or localized blockage in which narrowings are visible in small segements of the arteries. In either case, blockage can lead to serious consequences both in general health and in vision loss.

Cataracts are a loss of clarity of the natural lens within the eye. In today's American population, detectable changes begin frequently in 40's age group! This is NOT natural and should not be presumed to be normal. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in America, though they can be 'corrected' via surgery. Cataracts can be prevented and may be reversible via changes in lifestyle, nutrition and supplementation.

A cataract is a clouding (opacity) of the lens of the eye, which results in impaired vision. Much of the damage is caused by free radicals, harmful oxygen molecules that are produced as a by-product of metabolism.

Best foods: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables -- especially squash, spinach, broccoli, oranges, carrots and sweet potatoes. They're rich in vitamins C and A as well as beta-carotene, all of which reduce eye damage.

Helpful: Eat five or more servings daily.

Conjuntiviits is an infection or inflammation of the exposed areas of the eye (the white part). It is very common because so many people often work or live together in closed environments. The "inflammation" type is often caused my chemicals or pollutants while the "infection" type is caused by bacterial infections or viruses. The infection often starts in one eye and spreads to the other and most forms are highly contagious. Because a Red Eye can be a sign of serious eye infections, it should not be ignored even though many types of conjunctivitis heal on their own in 7 - 10 days. Red eyes should be seen by an eye specialist and not a family doctor as the family doctor does not have the equipment to diagnose the serious forms.

Diabetic Retinopathy is just one manifestation of the diabetic state of ones body. Diabetes is a very destructive disease in that it damage circulation throughout the body. When that damage is in the eye, it often leads to blindness.

Dry Eye is one that lacks oils to keep the tears from evaporating. This condition rarely exists by itself. If it is by itself, it is often related to lid pathology. Often there are other symptoms of the body lacking appropriate oils. These other systemic signs are: arthritis, dry skin, dandruff, weak fingernails, Sjogrens Syndrome and Lupus.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause the loss of peripheral vision. Because Glaucoma has no symptoms it may go unnoticed until it is too late to treat! Even though you would expect to notice a loss of peripheral (side) vision, you usually do not! This is because it is a gradual loss of sensitivity to light at first. Later as the loss progresses, you are still unaware of it as what you are blind to, your brain ignores. Glaucoma usually is a slowly progressing disease, if untreated. There is one type that is Acute and requires immediate care. The acute form HAS symptoms. In the acute form, the vision becomes hazy like looking through smoke or steam, there are halos around lights, the white of the eye often appears red and there may be a severe headache like pain. This Acute or Closed Angle glaucoma needs to be treated Immediately. If Glaucoma is untreated it can cause total blindness.

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO) is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (Chicken Pox). These infections may affect the eyelids and surrounding skin and may cause keratoconjunctivitis (pink eye like symptoms). This ocular disease may be divided into 3 phases: acute, chronic, and relapsing.

Macular degeneration is a loss nerve cells in the yellow center of vision. With macular degeneration, peripheral vision is maintained but central vision is lost. As a result the you may lose the ability to read, recognize faces, drive a car, see TV, etc. There are two types of macular degeneration.

Check out this eye chart for: Macular Degeneration

The First is the dry type which affects 90% of those with macular degeneration (MD). In this condition small yellow flecks called drusen form in the underlying tissue. Drusen are believe to form from a collection of waste products in the tissues. Drusen appear to break down the cells of the macula causing a loss and distortion of vision. This can progress into the second type, the wet type.
The Second is a type, where new blood vessels form, in response to the tissue breakdown. These vessels are fragile and tend to leak fluids causing further and rapid losses of vision.

Uveitis is an inflammation of the iris which may include the ciliary body. In uveitis, white blood cells and excess protein that leak from the small blood vessels inside the eye, float into the fluid between the iris and the cornea.

There are more than forty named disorders of the eye. Some disorders are very serious and can lead to blindness. When any vision changes occur, it it best to see an alternative doctor, for treatment or a referal to an Ophthalmologist.

For more Information on all eye disorders, click on: This Link

These Substances Alleviate Or Prevent Glaucoma

Amino Acids
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) is useful for the prevention of Glaucoma. It inhibits the Cross-Linking (glycosylation) that has been implicated in the damage that occurs to the Optic Nerve in Glaucoma patients.
Glucosamine (1,500 mg per day) (including Glucosamine Sulfate) helps to reduce intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients (by maintaining the Collagen structure of the fluid drain).
Carotenoids
Lutein may help to prevent Glaucoma (Lutein helps to protect the Optic Nerve from damage and sub-optimal levels of Lutein in the Optic Nerve may be an early symptom of Glaucoma).
Lipids
Forskolin (applied topically as eyedrops) may be of assistance to persons afflicted with Glaucoma (it lowers intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients - this effect occurs as a result of Forskolin stimulating the Adenyl Cyclase enzyme).
Minerals
Glaucoma can occur as a result of Chromium deficiency. research
Germanium alleviates Glaucoma.
Magnesium (243 mg per day for at least one month) improves the visual field and peripheral Blood Circulation in Glaucoma patients: Magnesium helps to prevent Glaucoma (by counteracting the toxicity of Glutamic Acid, a suspected cause of Glaucoma).
Selenium is useful for the treatment of Glaucoma.
Peptides
Carnosine (N-Acetyl-Carnosine applied topically to the Eyes as a constituent of Eyedrops) is useful for the treatment of Glaucoma.
Glutathione helps to maintain optimal fluid outflow in the Eyes of Glaucoma patients.
Polyphenols
The Anthocyanosides found in Bilberry protect against the development of Glaucoma.
Rutin (60 mg per day) lowers intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients.
Recreational Drugs
Marijuana alleviates Glaucoma (by lowering Eye pressure):
Caution: use of Marijuana for this purpose is illegal in most regions of the world.
Quinones
Coenzyme Q10 helps to prevent Glaucoma (by counteracting the toxicity of Glutamic Acid, a suspected cause of Glaucoma).
Smart Drugs
CDP-Choline (1,000 mg per day) alleviates (chronic simple) Glaucoma.
Hydergine (5 - 20 mg per day) lowers intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients.
Picamilon improves Eyesight in (chronic simple) Glaucoma patients.
Vinpocetine helps to stabilize the condition of Glaucoma patients.
Sulphuric Compounds
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) - applied topically as eyedrops - reduces intraocular pressure in persons afflicted with Glaucoma.
Vitamins
Folic Acid helps to prevent Glaucoma (by counteracting the toxicity of Glutamic Acid, a suspected cause of Glaucoma).
Lipoic Acid alleviates Glaucoma.
Glaucoma patients are generally found to be deficient in Vitamin B1 (indicating that restoring Vitamin B1 levels to normal via supplementation may be beneficial for Glaucoma patients).
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin form) may help to prevent Glaucoma (by counteracting the toxicity of Glutamic Acid, a suspected cause of Glaucoma; and by preserving Myelin).
Vitamin C reduces intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients by 21 - 84% (however large doses of up to 30 - 40 grams per day may be required to attain this effect).
Vitamin E helps to prevent Glaucoma (by counteracting the toxicity of Glutamic Acid, a suspected cause of Glaucoma).
Fruit
Bilberry helps to prevent (and possibly also treat) Glaucoma (due to the Anthocyanosides content of Bilberry).
Herbs
Camu-Camu is claimed to prevent Glaucoma.
Ginkgo biloba may help to prevent and treat Glaucoma (due to the ability of Ginkgo biloba to improve Blood Circulation to the Eyes and also due to Ginkgo biloba’s Antioxidant effects).
Oils (Dietary Oils)
Cod Liver Oil lowers intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients.
Exercise
Exercise reduces intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients.
Pharmaceutical Drugs
Some types of Cholinesterase Inhibitors (e.g. Demecarium, Echothiophate, Phytostigmine) are utilized (applied topically as an intraocular solution) to alleviate Glaucoma (by reducing the intraocular pressure within the Eye).

Substances That Can Cause Glaucoma

Amino Acids
Glaucoma patients have been found to have abnormally high levels of Glutamic Acid in the Vitreous Humour - this may contribute to the development of Glaucoma.
Pharmaceutical Drugs
Prednisolone (e.g. Prednisolone Acetate applied topically in the form of Eyedrops) can cause Glaucoma with associated damage to the Optic Nerve.

These Ailments Can Cause Glaucoma

Metabolism
Glaucoma is often a side effect of Diabetes Mellitus.

Contraindications - Glaucoma Patients Should Not Consume These Substances/Herbs

Alkaloids
Glaucoma patients should not use Ephedrine.
Amino Acids
Persons afflicted with the wide-angle form of Glaucoma should not use supplemental L-Dopa.
Herbs
Glaucoma patients should not use Balm (as animal studies have indicated that Balm raises intra-ocular pressure).

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. Ben Kim 11/29/2006 - LASIK Surgery: Proceed With Caution

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. William Campbell Douglass 6/14/2002 - Slowing Macular Degeneration

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. William Campbell Douglass 10/8/2002 - Macular Degeneration And Fish

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. William Campbell Douglass 11/15/2002 - Consumption Of Fish

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. William Campbell Douglass 1/31/2003 - Vitamin C And Cataracts

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. Mercola 3/26/2000 - Fish Oil Protects Blindness

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. Mercola 6/17/2000 - DHA Protects Vision In Infants

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. Mercola 10/8/2000 - Sleep Tight with Melatonin

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. Mercola 11/26/2000 - Fatty Acid Supplementation

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. Mercola 2/17/2001 - Fish Oil Protects

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. Mercola 3/7/2001 - Remedy Macular Degeneration

Eye Disorder Information: Dr. Mercola 3/17/2001 - Wearing UV Eye Protection