Showing posts with label Eyesight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eyesight. Show all posts

Monday, 31 March 2014

Causes of Blurred Vision - What Are the Main Causes of Blurred Vision?

     
Life can be more difficult if you are experiencing blurry vision. It would be more frustrating to know that it can be a sign of many illnesses or serious health problems. Quality of vision depends not only on a transparency and clarity of crystalline lens, but conductivity and normal functioning of an optic nerve and structure of retina. The major causes of blurred vision actually are the weakening or eye muscles. It is very important to keep eye muscles in perfect condition because movement of eyeballs, adjustment of the curvature of the lens and many functions of the eyes depend on them.

Some of the common causes of blurred vision is cataract. The sign of this problem is the noticeable blurring and worsening of eyesight such as night vision, fading of colors. People with cataracts have difficulty in driving at night because the glaring headlights of the passing vehicles can dazzle the eyesight.

Another eye problem that can deteriorate vision is macular degeneration. People will suffer from macular degeneration if the neurons which are located at the back of the eyes cannot detect the light. Because the neurons are defected, the blurring image cannot be corrected by eye glasses or contact lenses. Many researchers and eye care practitioners suggest that certain nutrients which have high level of antioxidants such as zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamins A, C and E will halt or slow the development of macular degeneration.

Eyesight disorder may also be caused by nearsightedness, or myopia as it is medically termed. Nearsightedness is a condition in which close objects are seen clearly, but far away objects that are seen blurred because the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved. As a result, light focuses in front of the retina so you see a blurred image. Myopia is a common disorder and it has been reported that more than 25 % of American adults suffer from this eye disorder.

One of the causes of blurred vision is farsightedness or hyperopia. In the opposite of myopia, farsightedness occurs if vision is better for distant objects than for near objects because the eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature, so the light which enter the eye is not focused correctly.

When you are experiencing dry eyes sometimes images can appear fuzzy. Your eye needs constant flow of tears to provide constant moisture and lubrication to maintain vision and comfort. When there is an imbalance in this tear system you may experience dry eyes. Dry eyes may be due to low humidity, low blink rate or windy conditions. Complications are uncommon but go to see a doctor if vision becomes affected (more than slight temporary blurring).
 
The main causes of blurred vision may due to the result of misuse or overuse of the eye muscles. Therefore, it is important to find out the cause of the muscle irregularity rather than going to an ophthalmologist. It is widely known that the glasses or contact lenses do not provide you a solution instead making your condition worse. There are simple vision habits for you to learn and practice everyday that will help you to improve your eye ability to see clear and relax. To stay away from blurry vision just click: Better Vision, you will be guided to a new direction to correct your vision without surgery and improve vision through simple do-it-at-home eye exercises, eye relaxing techniques and many other vision trainings to achieve better eyesight and the overall health of your eyes.
 
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Moller

Saturday, 29 March 2014

Fast and Lasting Relief For Your Itchy Eyes

Expert Author Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
It's that time of year again when patients come to me with runny noses and watery eyes begging for some relief from their allergies. They complain that trying to function with itchy or twitching eyes is not only a nuisance but gets in the way of enjoying life. Being an allergy sufferer myself, I have to say I can relate. That's why I have personally researched a few natural remedies that really work.
The Underlying Cause of Your Itchy Eyes
The number one cause of itchy eyes is hypersensitivity to dust or pollen. This is an allergic reaction to something the body is trying to fight off similar to a virus or bacteria.
This causes you experience symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, itching, and irritated eyes. About half the population of Americans have some degree of allergies, and according to studies, seventy-five percent of all common allergic reactions affect the eyes.
Soothe Itchy Eyes Naturally
When it comes to allergies, the best advice is to avoid the culprit that is affecting you. But in the case of itchy eyes, it's impossible to shield yourself from any possible source or irritation that might be in the air.
When you are indoors I always recommend a good air filter that removes much of the dust particles. This of course is a way of controlling the air you breathe when you are inside, but let's take a closer look at what you can do when you are out in the elements.
There are two natural supplements that I recommend.
oThe first is Perilla frutescens extract. Perilla frutescens is a plant in the mint family that grows commonly all over Asia and is used for both food and medicine.
In a study published Experimental Biology and Medicine researchers found that people with allergies who take a daily dose of Perilla frutescens extract enjoy reduced symptoms including less itchiness in their eyes.
oThe second is Butterbur extract. Butterbur extract proved as effective as leading prescriptions in reducing and preventing allergy symptoms including itchy eyes.
My Eyes Aren't Itchy-They're Twitching
Patients not only report itchy eyes, but describe a condition known as twitching eyes. Eye twitching is caused by small muscle spasms below or above the eye and is usually triggered by stress or fatigue. In most cases, the spasm will last a little while and then go away on its own. Although it is not a serious condition, twitching eyes can be very annoying and tiring.
To prevent mild eye spasms from occurring or to stop the twitching I advise my patients to get a good night's sleep and some relaxation. I always ask them to take a moment to think about the sources of stress in their life and find ways to relieve it. By reducing stress or finding an outlet for tension usually prevents future eye twitching episodes.
If your eye twitching persists longer than two days or if it causes your facial muscles to spasm as well, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to rule nerve issues and to explore other treatment options.
Your eyes play an important role in the quality of life. You are not alone if itchy or twitching eyes are your problem. Don't continue to suffer in silence, talk to your doctor about some of the natural remedies mentioned here. Finding the best method to relieve your symptoms will allow you to make the most of the outdoor environment as well as your indoor space.
Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Institute For Healthy Aging

Saturday, 15 March 2014

3 Steps for Preventing Macular Degeneration

     
Expert Author Patrick T Langley
    
Sometimes we don't think about how valuable our eyesight is until something threatens the loss of our vision. Macular degeneration is one real threat to our vision as we age. In fact, macular degeneration is the leading cause of fine vision loss in Americans over the age of 60, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the macula, a part of the eye's retina that provides central vision. Central vision refers to the sharp, focused kind of vision that allows you to see objects clearly. It's necessary for many daily-living tasks, including driving and reading.

Since the damage caused by macular degeneration cannot be undone, it pays to take steps to prevent macular degeneration. Here are three research-proven steps that can help prevent the onset of AMD:

1) Eat Well: We all know that our diet plays a big part in the condition of our overall health, and the health of our eyes is no exception. According to amdalliance.org, research has shown that eating a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens, can reduce the risk of AMD. Dark leafy greens include kale, collards, and spinach.

The types of fats you take in are also important in preventing macular degeneration. A study done by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary found that "bad" fats, such as the ones found in processed snack foods, increased the risk of macular degeneration.

Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly albacore tuna and salmon, reduced the risk of AMD. Thus, try to avoid foods like potato chips, French fries, and prepackaged cakes, pies, and cookies. Try instead to eat two or more servings of fish high in Omega-3s a week.

2) Don't Smoke: Many studies, including a 1996 study published in JAMA, showed that men who smoked twenty or more cigarettes a day had an increased risk of developing AMD compared to non-smokers. If you're a smoker, saving your eye-sight is another reason to quit. Even if you don't think you can quit altogether, reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke daily to less than twenty may help reduce your risk of AMD, though quitting altogether is preferable.

3) Schedule Routine Eye Exams: Since the damage of AMD cannot be reversed, it's important for the condition to be caught early so that treatment can begin. All adults over the age of forty should have an eye exam at least every two years. Adults over the age of sixty should have a yearly eye exam. These exams should be comprehensive, dilated eye exams performed by an ophthalmologist. A skilled ophthalmologist will be able to catch AMD in its earliest stages.

It may be hard to pass up that bag of chips or another cigarette, especially when your eyesight doesn't seem currently threatened. But if you work to keep yourself healthy now, your eyes will stay healthy later.

If you're over the age of forty and haven't had an eye exam lately, look for a board-certified ophthalmologist in your area and schedule an appointment today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_T_Langley

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Expert Author Joel Travers King
 
Whether we are at the beach swimming or playing volleyball, at the park enjoying a delicious picnic, or taking the kids to summer camp, except for the heat and the humidity, we can all agree that the summer is a fun and enjoyable occasion for the whole family. However, in the midst of all the fun and games, it's essential to protect our eyes from the harmful U.V rays of the sun. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than cure and wearing sunglasses can protect our eyes from a series of eye problems and conditions.

Eye exercises are natural techniques used to protect and strengthen the eyes. An additional benefit of eye exercises is the fact that they reduce the eye's sensitivity to light. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun and as such, they are a good compliment to your eye exercise program.

A study by the New England Eye Institute revealed some surprising facts about the attitude of Americans to wearing sunglasses. The study stated that while 80% of Americans are aware of the harmful effects of U.V rays on the skin, only 5% are aware of its damaging effects on the eyes.

In a 2012 survey, the American Vision Council listed the reasons people don't wear sunglasses.

About 50% of the respondents said that they forget their sunglasses. Another 20% said that they didn't think that the U.V rays posed a serious risk to their eye health. 14% admitted that they have a tendency to break or lose their glasses often.

Here are some helpful tips to eliminate this problem:
Always have a few extra pairs handy. Have one specific place where you keep them regularly. This way you'll never forget where you put them.

Wearing sunglasses is important because repeated, excess, lonterm exposure to the U.V rays of the sun can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and cancer of the eye, eye lid or tender skin around the eyes. Last but not the least of eye problems is a painful condition called Photokeratitis. This is defined as a painful sunburn of the eye that causes the symptom of temporary vision loss for a period of 2 days and Pterygiums which is described as a growth of tissue around the edge of the cornea that can only be corrected by surgical removal. Sunglasses should be worn regardless of weather conditions as the potential dangers of U.V rays are ever present in sunny weather and also cloudy weather.

In terms of choosing the right pair, it's important to ensure that they block 100% of U.V rays of the sun. An ideal pair of sunglasses that provide maximum protection from the sun would be a pair of sunglasses with the ANSI label on it. ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute. It is a common misconception that the darker the shade of the sunglasses, the greater the protection. In fact, wearing a darker shade defeats the purpose of your sunglasses because they cause the pupils to dilate, causing more U.V rays to enter the eyes. It is not the shade of darkness that matters but it is the coating on the lenses that makes them safe. Store bought sunglasses are more reliable than those purchased from a street vendor.

Sunglasses are a good compliment to your eye exercise program. It's like having insurance for the eyes, safeguarding them from the dangers of the harmful U. V rays of the sun. Follow these tips and have a fun and happy summer season that is free from worries and stress.

I am a natural vision improvement success story. Having done extensive research in the field of natural vision improvement, I enjoy helping others protect and improve their vision. Take the next step to sharper, clearer, eyesight today! Visit http://betternaturalvision.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joel_Travers_King