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Better Health Update #43 - Monte Kline, Clinical Nutritionist

Eye Problems

Virtually everyone has experienced eye problems at some time-itchy eyes, burning, dryness, light sensitive eyes, and the like. However, many people also experience more serious eye diseases like cataracts. glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

Jesus taught that the eyes are the "lamp of the body" (Matt. 5:22). Not only do the eyes reflect what's going on in someone spiritually, but also what's going on inside someone physically. Various nutrient deficiencies can affect the eyes, as well as allergic sensitivities and toxicities - just as is the case with any other health problem. However, eye diseases, just as other degenerative conditions, require comprehensive help. They're not just a matter of popping a magic vitamin pill and instantaneously solving the problems. Input and care from an eye doctor is important, but there are often natural remedies that you can use to help as well.

CATARACTS

When the lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, we refer to it as a cataract, from the Latin word for "waterfall" (the condition being like looking through a waterfall or frosted window). Obviously this causes inability to clearly see both near and distant objects.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the U. S., with over 400,000 Americans developing the condition each year. Over one million cataract surgeries are performed annually at a cost of $3.5 billion. While 18% of those age 65 to 74 have cataracts, over 45% over those age 75 to 85 have them. This has caused most to assume that cataracts are just part of advanced age. But, if that's true, what about the 55% that don't get cataracts? In a word the answer is oxidation. The question is whether oxidation is a primary cause of cataracts or a secondary cause.

The transparent structure of the lens is due to organ-specific proteins called crystallins. Under optimal circumstances these proteins should remain clear until around 120 years of age, as was said of Moses at that age:

"Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated." (Deut. 34:7)

CATARACT CAUSES

1. Artificial light - Though sunlight has typically been considered a prime cause of cataracts, it appears artificial light damages the lens and retina - particularly infrared light from incandescent lighting.

2. Refined sugar intake - Excess glucose in the lens causes cataracts. Refined sugar consumption produces alcohol by-products in metabolism which also may collect in the lens and cause deterioration.

3. Milk intake - Pasteurized milk does not contain the necessary enzymes to metabolize the lactose and galactose sugars from milk. This may likewise result in increased sugar in the lens.

4. Corticosteroid usage - Prolonged usage of cortisone or prednisone often causes cataracts.

5. Nutrient deficiencies - Deficiencies of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, as well as the minerals zinc and selenium all have potential connections with cataract development

For example, one study showed women consuming higher amounts of carotenes and vitamin A had a 39% lower risk of cataracts. Another study showed vitamin E and beta-carotene levels lower in patients requiring cataract surgery. Vitamin C complex is concentrated in the lens at a rate 30 times higher than the blood. When cataracts sufferers have their lenses removed and analyzed, they are significantly lowering in vitamin C content.

6. Junk food diet - People who don't have cataracts generally consume a lot more fresh fruits and vegetables, where they get carotenes, vitamin C, B vitamins, minerals and enzymes (if eaten raw). Those eating few fruits and vegetables had four to eight times the risk of cataracts in one study.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects about 25% of those over 65, being the leading cause of blindness for this age group. Perhaps 10% of those over 65 have AMD - 3.4 million people. Macular degeneration involves deterioration of the central area of the retina (the macula) resulting in blurry vision.

Dry macular degeneration is the most common, though a less serious form, accounting for about 85% of all cases. Loss of central vision may occur over several years and one or both eyes may be affected. This deterioration of the macula may be from general atrophy, or, occasionally by deposits of drusen, a yellow substances that accumulates under the retina. Common symptoms of dry macular degeneration include blurriness when reading, difficulty seeing distant objects, shape distortion, or a dark spot in the center of an object.

Wet macular degeneration results from abnormal blood vessel growth behind the retina which may bleed causing the retina to separate from the eye. A rapid loss of vision ensues.

While both forms of macular degeneration significantly lower visual acuity, neither form causes complete vision loss. Conventional medicine offers no treatment for dry macular degeneration, though laser surgery may help wet macular degeneration, if caught early enough.

NUTRIENTS FOR MACULAR DEGENERATION

For the eye to function properly a number of nutrients are required - particularly antioxidants. Vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and lutein, plus minerals including zinc, selenium and copper are all found in the macula. Antioxidants do more than just nourish the eye though - they protect against free radicals. Free radicals are basically "oxygen sponges" that have the effect of lowering cellular oxygen and promoting cell degeneration.

An interesting theory postulates that the melanin pigment, which is present in the skin and contributes to eye color, may act as an antioxidant. Therefore people with green or blue eyes and light skin are more susceptible to macular degeneration than people with dark eyes or skin.
People with macular degeneration often have low antioxidant levels in their blood. In one study low levels of lycopene, an antioxidant in tomatoes, correlated with incidence of macular degeneration. Carotenoids including lutein and zeaxanthin (in dark green vegetables like spinach and kale), appear to help prevent macular degeneration. A depression in the center of the macular (foveal part of retina) has a yellow pigment primarily composed of these two antioxidants.

Another important nutrient is zinc, which is highly concentrated in the retina and tissues around the macula. Zinc is involved in many chemical reactions in the retina and also helps protect cells from free radical damage. Some studies suggest that zinc may protect against the early stages of dry macular degeneration, though it doesn't help the wet form.

GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases with common features such as increased eye pressure, damage to the optic nerve and visual field loss. The most common form is chronic open-angel glaucoma, in which fluid pressure increases within the eye damaging the optic nerve, narrowing the field of vision, and ultimately causing blindness.
That's the conventional view, at least. Other studies note that one-third to one-half of glaucoma patients actually have normal interocular pressure. Some of these researchers suggest that the increased interocular pressure may be more the effect rather than the cause of glaucoma. Researchers Sonnsjo and Krakau in 1993 suggest that the primary cause of glaucoma may be obstruction of blood flow and nutrition to the neuronal tissues of the optic nerve. If this thesis is correct, it would explain the admitted ineffectiveness of conventional drugs for glaucoma, since those medications are solely oriented toward reducing interocular pressure.
It is estimated that three million Americans have glaucoma, half of them unaware of it. Approximately 80,000 people are totally blind from glaucoma, and another 1,200,000 are blind in one eye, making it the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Symptoms include:

1. Loss of side vision
2. Difficulty focusing on close work
3. Seeing colored rings or halos around lights
4. Headaches and eye pain
5. Need to frequently change prescription on glasses
6. Difficulty adjusting eyes to darkness

A simple office test called tonometry may detect glaucoma by measuring intraocular pressure. The conventional medicine approach revolves around either drugs that limit fluid production, drugs to increase fluid outflow from the eye, or surgery to create a new outflow channel.

NUTRIENTS FOR GLAUCOMA

Since the optic nerve passes through a bed of connective tissue called elastin, nourishment of that tissue is essential. The vitamin C complex (including rutin and other bioflavonoids), vitamin E, manganese, and amino acids are important. Because there is a stress connection frequently with glaucoma, adrenal gland support may be appropriate. B vitamins may also have a significant relationship, with B-6 appearing to be involved in eye pressure.

It's been observed that the interocular pressure of some glaucoma sufferers dropped with vitamin A supplementation. Fish oils, including omega-3 fatty acids likewise appear to help the eye pressure. Since zinc is involved in vitamin A metabolism, it is also important. Calcium and vitamin D contribute to the correct dehydration of sclera (fibrous tissue covering the white of the eye). Excess fluid here may lead to increased interocular pressure.

Intake of trans fatty acids, such as hydrogenated vegetable oils as in margarine, were shown in a large case-controlled study to be associated with glaucoma. Caffeine increases eye pressure, and alcohol, tobacco, coffee, regular tea, and chocolate all may decrease eye circulation.

EYE REMEDIES

In going through these three eye problems, it becomes fairly apparent that nutritional deficiencies and other effects of the Modern American Diet (M.A.D. for short), are fundamental causes. The same overall healthy diet that is good for health in general is good for the eyes. Elimination of refined sugar, refined, hydrogenated oils, refined grains, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol and the like should prevent a lot of eye problems.
While there are many possible nutritional supplements, the most important word is antioxidants. That includes vitamins A, C, E, bioflavonoids, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, alpha lipoic acid, glutathione, grape seed extract, pycnogenol, di-methylglycine (DMG) and more. A good antioxidant supplement will cover many of these.

In herbal medicine, bilberry and eyebright are the most often used remedies. Bilberry (European blueberry) improves night vision and eyestrain and may also help retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy, collagen breakdowns, glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. It aids the ability of the eyes to focus, helps the eyes to adapt to darkness, strengthens the small capillaries that bring blood to the eyes, improves sharpness of images, and has anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity due to tannin content.

Eyebright is helpful for eyestrain, pink eye, cataracts, conjunctivitis, glaucoma and other eye problems. As is always the case, individual electrodermal testing is recommended to determine which eye remedies are right for you.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this publication is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose illness nor prescribe treatment. Rather, this material is designed to be used in cooperation with your nutritionally-oriented health professional to deal with your personal health problems. Should you use this information on your own, you are prescribing for yourself, which is your constitutional right, but neither the author nor publisher assume responsibility.