Importance of Eye Care

By Julie Staz

 

Eyes are the most wonderful creation of God and therefore are to be taken care of at all times. This is an extremely beautiful gift and should never be taken for granted. Whether or not you have any vision related problem, eye care should remain an important part of everyone's life.

Many people suffer from eye diseases which have been getting quite common in today's world. Some are viral while some may have other reasons for developing them. It is not true that eye diseases cannot be prevented. They can surely be treated but they can also be prevented. Hygiene is the most important thing to consider when it comes to eye care. The eyes should stay clean at all times and one should avoid touching them with hands because eyes can sometimes be very sensitive to the germs we have on our hands at all times. And if you are a woman, make sure your eyes are free from make up when you go to bed. It is a lot better to rinse your eyes and remove all make up such as mascara instead of just sleeping like that.

Because eye treatment can be very expensive and can cost a person a lot of money, it is important to take notice of your health so you can prevent some of the eye diseases and even slow down their progress if you have already got one. For this purpose, you should increase your intake of vitamins such as vitamin A, E and C. Zinc and Selenium can also do the job rightly. Eye diseases can also be a result of some other disease. People with other problems such as obesity, diabetes et cetera should have regular checkups for their eyes and should immediately go to see a doctor if they feel anything unusual in their eyes. Most of the eye problems are also a result of exposure to certain types of light or direct sunlight. You should always wear sunglasses when going out in the sun; just like the sun can harm your skin it can likewise harm your eyes which are way more sensitive than the skin. The exposure to light also includes frequent watching of the TV or sitting in front of the computer screens. If you are someone who cannot avoid using the computer, probably because of some work or something, then you can try other methods of eye care. Try sitting away from the computer or laptop screen and there is a certain distance which you should keep. Protective shields are also available for the computer screens which can be very useful in filtering direct light from the computer screens.

People with frequent problems such as infections should keep eye care as their priority. Eye infections can be caused by bacteria, germs on the hands or even fungal elements which cannot be seen. Viral infections are also threatening and should be treated immediately with care. Eye infections can occur in both the eyes; left and right. They also affect people from all age groups and their symptoms will vary. You will know you have an infection when your eyes feel watery, itchy and irritable. If the problem is not treated it can also affect the vision on a temporary basis and will cause redness and swelling around the eyes.

Sleep, being very important, also plays a vital role in the care for eyes. People not sleeping enough will start having puffy eyes with dark circles which can become a permanent part of their face. Moreover, tired eyes are more prone to vision difficulty and concentration problems.

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

What Is Macular Degeneration And Its Two Forms?

 

 

By Rachel Berret

 

You know that with age comes a variety of health problems. There are cases of osteoporosis, muscle spasms and the very serious heart condition. These are actually diseases that are caused by the weakening immune system and other bodily structures inside your body. They can no longer support the activities that you very do with much energy when you are younger.

One part of your body that is very well affected by aging is your eyes. True to form, the usual problems encountered by the elderly are loss of vision and poor eyesight. Macular degeneration is a disease that progresses with age and that damages the macula. This part of your eyes is in the central area of the retina, which is responsible for the clarity of your vision.

When you have macular degeneration, you experience seeing blurry pictures and distorted images of your surroundings. You cannot read clearly because the words look jumbled together. You would also find recognizing people's faces and even the features of various places as difficult due to blurred spots in your vision. Even if you would not likely go completely blind because some parts of your vision, like the periphery, are retained, having macular degeneration is still impairing because it deals with the major aspect of your eyesight.

There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet. If your condition is that of the dry form, drusen-yellow deposits that hinders the macula-develop in a slow manner. Therefore, you would only feel its manifestations when the drusen is already growing. The cells in your macula also get thinner, which leads to the death of the tissues in your eyes.

If on the other hand you have the wet form of macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retinal pigment epithelium layer. It leads to bleeding and leaking that in turn causes scarring. Then, your eyesight transcends from having blind spots to finally losing your vision. This is a condition that develops rather faster than the dry form.

So how do you prevent macular degeneration? Definitely, you need to know the risk factors involved so you can avoid them. Age and heredity are the primary risk factors. But smoking, obesity and exposure to too much sunlight can also put you at a great risk of having the disease. You also have to be on the lookout if you have a case of cardiovascular problem and hypertension.

Hi. I'm Rachel Berret, a big advocate seeing an osteopath for your health complaints. I have a great osteopath Melbourne that helps me overcome my own aches and pains such as back pain, neck pains and headaches.

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

Disease - Proof That A Natural Extract Can Stop Eye Disease

By J Michael Brown

 

A scientific study showed how it's possible to stop eye diseases. It is definitive proof that a naturally occurring substance could help stop some eye diseases.

A press release of July 31, 2007 by Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which is a biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange as SIRT, focused on how it discovered a means to facilitate anti-aging; and specifically how to stop optic neuritis.

The findings, which presented definitive proof that eye diseases may be stopped with a naturally occurring substance, appeared in an article entitled "SIRT1 Activation Confers Neuroprotection in Experimental Optic Neuritis, Shindler et al., 2007" that was published in The Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science Journal (IOVS), Volume 48, Number 8.

Optic neuritis is an eye disease, which affects the optic nerve comprised of axons emerging from the retina of the eye. The optic nerve carries visual information to the main visual nuclei, of which is primarily relayed to the outer layer of the occipital lobe of the brain; where the brain processes information into vision.

Swelling of the optic nerve can result in loss of vision more often than not because the inflammation results in destruction of the myelin sheath, which covers the optic nerve. Uninterrupted axonal damage often plays a role in neural destruction.
 Optic neuritis is commonly linked to conditions including:

• Autoimmune disorders,
• Multiple sclerosis,
• Huntington disease,
• Infections, and
• Granulomatous diseases.

The scientific study at Sirtris showed, that by developing small molecule interference, eye diseases could be stopped. Sirtris hopes that he substance used in the scientific study will be approved by the FDA to treat diseases related to aging like Type II Diabetes and Macular Degeneration.

The scientific study showed that activating the SIRT1 gene, which is an enzyme in the sirtuin family, with SRT501 (resveratrol); optic neuritis be relieved. Sirtris presented pictures related to the microscopic analysis of the optic nerves of mice, which they performed; after the mice initially were induced to have optic neuritis, then anesthetized--and finally the mice had the nerves leading to the occipital injected with the SIRT1 formula.

Sirtris offered the results of the experiment as definitive proof that resveratrol could be associated with anti-aging, and that their SIRT1 a formula was a debilitating factor when used to deter some eye diseases.

Resveratrol was the agent to which the scientists assigned credit for activation of the anti-aging gene SIRT1 in mice; and they took it one step further by inferring that humans could generally, and conveniently, become accustomed to the adaptation of resveratrol as a neuroprotective agent against optic neuritis.

Therefore, Sirtris offered the study as proof that eye diseases associated with optic neuritis in humans could be stopped too, simply by using resveratrol.

The gradually loss of neurons associated with age may bring about a various debilitating neurological disorders, one of which is optic neuritis. One of the initial signs of multiple sclerosis is optic neuritis, and it's been associated with a reduction of mitochondrial function.

Sirtuin, which is a new class of enzymes and only recently discovered, appears to influence the aging process in test mammals, and Sirtris offered the study under review as proof that it increases the number and fundamental operation of mitochondria.

According to results of the scientific study, resveratrol is an SIRT1 activator and it fundamentally deterred losing retinal ganglion cells in test animals; thereby preserving axonal function in a pre-clinical model of optic neuritis.

A single intravitreal injection of SRT501, which is the proprietary resveratrol formula developed by Sirtris, was adequate for neuroprotection. What's more; the neuroprotective effect was proof that activation of SIRT1 was the reason for the significant results because that was how sirtinol, which is a SIRT1 inhibitor, was blocked.

Peter Elliott, Ph.D. said, "This work is significant because it shows that a SIRT1 activator is neuroprotective and thus has the potential to be therapeutic for a range of neurodegenerative diseases of aging."

Christoph Westphal, M.D., Ph.D., who was the Chief Executive Officer of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. until April 2010; added, "These new data support our belief in SIRT1 as a therapeutic target for a broad range of diseases of aging including metabolic, mitochondrial, and neurological disorders."
Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company, is focused on inventing and developing proprietary small molecule drugs, which can be administered by physicians via intravitreal injection; and the research project under review in this expose' concerns their SRT501 resveratrol formula.
Whether or not Sirtris plans to make their SRT501 formula available as an over-the-counter supplement remains to be seen.

But the question, which will remain unanswered in this editorial; is, "Can over-the-counter resveratrol stop many of the diseases that are associated with aging simply by taking a capsule of it once or twice a day, without a prescription from a medical doctor?"
 Some of the diseases, which need to be considered in a future scientific study that could provide proof that such a miracle capsule would really work to stop eye diseases, include metabolic disorders such as:

• Type 2 Diabetes,
• Alzheimer's disease,
• Optic neuritis, and
• Macular degeneration.

The study wouldn't be limited to those diseases specifically, but it will look at overall general health of individuals.

People who would like to be candidates for such a study would have to understand that the nutritional supplements, one of which would include an over-the-counter formula with a substantial amount of resveratrol, would be formulated to mimic beneficial health effects that'd ultimately be equivalent to calorie restriction; without necessitating a change of eating habits.

Activation of the newly discovered class of enzymes, sirtuin, is the foundation upon which Sirtris has offered proof via several scientific studies; that resveratrol is an anti-aging agent. The company's headquarters are in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The press release, upon which this article is based; contained forward-looking statements, which were contained in it that conform to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements included, but they weren't limited to, potential therapeutic benefits of resveratrol; and they have proof that it is an SIRT1 activator.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't evaluated the statements contained within this commentary. Over-the-counter resveratrol supplements are not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure or treat any disease.

The sole purpose of over-the-counter resveratrol is to activate the SIRT1 gene, which in theory would allow people to age normally without maladies commonly associated with getting older; so, as the scientific study discussed in this editorial shows, it's how some people might stop some debilitating eye diseases.

The information provided in this expose' is for educational purposes only. The information contained herein is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians, or the advice of which any other medical professionals might provide.

The accounts contained within this document shouldn't be used as a basis to diagnose or treat any health problem and/or disease; nor should any product containing resveratrol be used as a substitution for a medication that's been prescribed by your physician.

Be sure to read all product packaging and labels carefully. If you think that you could have a medical problem, promptly consult a physician or a health care provider.

February 17, 2011 Copyright of J. Michael Brown

Please, Rally round the FAITH Army.
Thank you,
J. Michael Brown, Chairman of the Board.
The FAITH Army is certified by Texas as a Domestic Nonprofit Corporation.
Please make a donation:
ACTIONS Foundation FAITH Army
J. Michael Brown, Chairman
2607 Wolflin Ave. STE #120
Amarillo TX 79109

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

Anatomy of the Human Eye - How the Human Eye Works

By Tenay Brown

 

The human eye is commonly referred to as the human body's most complex organ. It contains many different parts and depends on all parts to work efficiently in order to have the best vision possible. Of all five senses, vision is the most valued and the quality of this vision is directly related to the way the eye's parts work with each other.

Basic Eye Anatomy
The eye consists of 11 basic parts, all of which have a vital role in the vision process. The basic anatomy of the eye includes the iris, cornea, pupil, lens, sclera, ciliary body, choroid, optic nerve, macula, retina and vitreous. Light enters through the cornea, which is the region of the sclera that is transparent. It provides the eye with the power to focus and is also the part of the eye where contact lenses are placed. The color of your eye, or the colored iris, is located behind the cornea and is visible only because the cornea is transparent.

In the center of the iris is the pupil, which is the dark and round opening in the center. It has control over how much light enters into the eye by dilating the size of the pupil in conditions of dim light and constricting in conditions of bright light. The lens also provides some focusing power within the eye and is located directly behind the pupil. The shape of the lens changes to bring objects into focus-such as when you are reading-and muscles contract that are located in the ciliary body. After a while, the muscles lose the ability to change shape and the lens becomes rigid which leads to a need for glasses.

Light images are converted into electric pulses by photosynthesis cells that make up the retina. These electric pulses then travel to the brain through the optic nerve. Fine detailing is accomplished by the macula, which is a specialized area that is located in the center of the retina. The clarity of vision is determined by a combination of factors: the length of the eye and the focusing power of both the lens and the cornea. Vision is clear if these three factors match perfectly together; when they do not, this creates vision problems.

Sclera
The sclera, also known as the white part of the eye, is the protector of more sensitive parts of the inner eye, such as the choroid and the retina. Most of the depth of the sclera is 0.03-inch thick, but it is no more than 0.01-inch thick where the straight eye muscles connect. There are six muscles in each eye that control the movements, but four are referred to as the straight eye muscles. The sclera is nourished with nutrients and oxygen through blood vessels located in the episclera, which is located on top of the sclera.

Choroid
The choroid provides the retina with a nourishment of nutrients and oxygen through a network of blood vessels. It is located within the sclera and is responsible for providing the anterior part of the optic nerve as well as the macula with the blood supply they depend on. When there is an abnormal growth of blood vessels, an eye condition called macular degeneration occurs, beginning in the choroid and going to the retina through the Bruchs Membrane. Because of a weaker structure, this causes edemas due to the bleeding or rupturing of the weakened vessels.

Retina
The retina is in the back of the eyeball and is the light-sensitive tissue that contains two types of light receptors: cones and rods. The cones generally absorb the stronger light and are color-sensitive, located in the retina's center. The rods absorb black and white in soft light and are next to the fovea. Retinal detachment, or amotio retinae, is a serious eye condition that produces symptoms such as light flashes or vision loss that can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.

Iris
The iris has control over how much light enters into the eye; the muscles of the iris sphincter with contract with strong light and will dilate with dim light. The diameter of the iris expands when focusing on an object far away and narrows when focusing on near objects-this is called the accommodation reflex. The eye color is a direct relation to the type and amount of pigments in a person's iris. Green is the least common color while brown is the most common.

Cornea
The cornea covers the anterior chamber, the pupil and the iris. It is transparent and contains two-thirds or 40 of the 60 diopters in the eye. It is supplied with nutrients and oxygen through tear fluid instead of blood vessels, which explains why it is so clear. Blood vessels can appear in the cornea though if there is an oxygen deficiency which can happen from overusing contact lenses. This can cause partial vision loss if the vessels grow too close to the center. Surgical procedures can be performed to correct eye conditions of the cornea such as astigmatism, hyperopia and myopia.

Pupil
The pupil is the hole in the center of the eye that absorbs major parts of light, which is the reason it is black. When they appear red in pictures, it is due to the reflection of the retina.

Vitreous Body
This part of the eye is located behind the lens and fills the eye with a clear and gel-like substance. The vitreous body shrinks as you gets older and can detach from the retina as the body decreases in size. Vitreous body detachment is generally not a dangerous condition, but can become dangerous if it drags along the retina.

Lens
One-third of the eye's diopters obtain their power in the lens while the remainder is in the cornea. The lens is the part of the eye that allows you to change focus depending on the distance of an object whether it is across the room or directly in front of your face. It is attached to zonula threads which are attached to the ciliary body. When focusing on a near object, the ciliary body contracts, which allows the zonula threads to loosen and the lens to increase its acuity by thickening in diameter while contracting. Cataracts is an eye condition that is age-related and results in blurry vision as the most common symptom. The treatment for cataracts is generally surgically removing and replacing the lens.

Ciliary Body
The ciliary body contains the ciliary muscle, which is responsible for controlling the vision accommodation reflex. The body is also an attachment point for the zonula threads and produces aqueous fluid.

Optic Nerve
The optic nerve is responsible for sending signals to different areas of the brain from the eye in order to create images. It consists of about one million nerve threads and the nerves from both eyes are connected behind them so that the left field of vision is sent to the right hemisphere of the brain and vice verse.

Macula
The macula consists of visual cells that are closely packed resulting in high visual acuity, or high image resolution. These cells are not as closely packed around the macula as they are inside of the actual macula, but they control how well the peripheral vision works and is good enough for it to work properly. Macular degeneration is a common eye disease that occurs among the elderly and is separated into two categories: wet and dry. Wet is more serious than dry, but is also treatable with FDA-approved drugs while dry is not treatable and is the most common.

The Human Anatomy and Physiology Study Course [http://www.humananatomystudycourse.info] is a vital resource for a quick and helpful way to study and ace your anatomy and physiology class or to brush up on anatomy and physiology as a physician. Visit this link
[http://www.humananatomystudycourse.info] to purchase this course at an affordable price.

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

Top 6 Vitamins And Herbs For Eye Health

 

By Rebecca Prescott

 

Tired and sore eyes can be a problem for computer users. Given the full day that many of us have, it's no wonder our eyes sometimes suffer. And they are the first place to show the effects of tiredness and stress.

In a perfect world, we would get all of our vitamins from food. However, modern farming practices and the depletion of nutrients in soil often results in fruit and vegetables having significantly less minerals and vitamins than they used to, when everything was 'organic'. Foods labeled and sold as organic these days tend to have more vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and less of the harmful nitrates and other residues from pesticides.

However, not everyone has ready access to organic food, or the money to buy it for the whole family.

Thus, vitamin supplements are a good option to help us get our missing nutrients.
Here is a list of the top 6 vitamins, herbs, and phytonutrients to help alleviate the problem of sore, dry eyes, and maintain good vision:

1. Bilberry - Bilberry is a herb used for both gastrointestinal and eye health. The active ingredients are called anthocyanosides, which are a type of flavanoid. Anthocyanosides are antioxidants that help improve the flow of blood through the capillaries in eyes. They help eyes adjust quickly to changes in light, and improve sharpness of vision.

Bilberry has also been shown to be effective in stopping the progression of cataracts when taken with vitamin E. It's also used to treat diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.

2. Vitamin A - Vitamin A is important for good night vision, and may play a role in preventing cataracts.

3. Grapeseed - Grapeseed is good for the peripheral circulation in our eyes. It also strengthens the capillaries.

4. Eyebright - Eyebright makes a great eye home remedy. Steep it in hot water to let the herb infuse, then remove the herb and cool the remaining liquid. You could put it in the freezer to cool it down quickly if you don't have any infused eyebright on hand in the fridge. Once its cool, use it as an eye bath, or a compress. It's great for sore eyes, and has an anti-inflammatory and soothing action.

5. Omega 3 Fatty Acids - Research from Harvard Medical school has found that taking omega 3 oils reduces the chance of getting dry eyes. Try taking 3 to 6 grams of a good quality fish oil supplement daily.

6. Lutein - Lutein is one example of a type of plant nutrient known as carotenoids. Better known examples include beta carotene and alpha carotene. Carotenoids are responsible for giving fruit and vegetables their distinctive colors, and the brightness of a fruit or vegetable is a good indicator of how much carotenoids it has in it. Those with a rich color have a higher concentration.

Lutein, beta, and alpha carotene are converted by the body into vitamin A. And lutein is found in very high concentrations in the macula of the eye. Lutein is used to help prevent macular degeneration, which is a big problem for people over 40 years of age. Macular degeneration can lead to blindness.

Lutein is thought to work as an antioxidant in this capacity.

Other solutions for dry eyes include soaking chamomile tea bags and placing them on both eyes when they are cool. Chamomile helps reduce redness and swelling around the eye. Iced milk can also be used on a compress for sore eyes. Soak cotton wool or gauze pads with very cold milk (the coolness helps narrow blood vessels), and the fat in milk is very soothing for dry skin.

For more vitamin information, click here. Rebecca presents this natural health site on herbs, supplements, and popular vitamins.

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

What is retinal detachment?

By Pen Byrd

 

A retinal detachment is an eye disorder where the thin lining of tissue at the back of the eye pulls away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen. It requires immediate treatment and can lead to blindness if not dealt with properly.

Retinal detachments are usually caused by retinal tears and can sometimes follow an injury. A sudden blow to the head might cause the vitreous jelly to separate from the retina, so stay alert if you've been in an accident. Retinal tears can also be caused when they jelly like substance at the back of the eye shrinks and pulls against the retina. If the retina's torn, fluid can get behind the tear and the retina might peel off – a bit like wallpaper.

This is very dangerous as the retina contains millions of nerve cells which help convert light into nerve cells. If the retina pulls away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen the nerve signals will start to die and this can damage the cones and rods in the retina. If the retina's not repaired promptly it can lead to a permanent loss of vision.

The symptoms of a retinal detachment include an increase of fluid in the eye, flashes of light and the sudden appearance of floaters – dark spots or thin black strands that seem to float around your eye. If you notice any of these warning signs it's important to see your optometrist urgently. Some patients describe a curtain coming across their vision, so be sure to look out for changes to your vision.
If you think you've a retinal tear, an eye care specialist will normally place drops inside your eye to dilate your pupil and will examine your retina. They will check for tears or detachments and if they see a problem they'll refer you to a retinal specialist.

Retinal specialists are able to repair a tear using a special laser and this usually takes place under a local anaesthetic. If a retinal attachment has occurred you'll need surgery to correct the problem. The longer the retina's cut off from the blood supply, the more damage will be caused, so it's essential to act quickly. Never ignore symptoms and always seek help if you experience any changes to your vision.

The retina can become thinner and brittle with age, so it's essential to see your optometrist regularly. A highly-trained optician will be able to spot the early stages of retinal detachment (if present) and will also look out for other eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Our eyes are extremely delicate and must be examined often – so book your eye test today!

Pen ByrdPenelope Byrd is a freelance copywriter based in the UK. She specialises in medical journalism, in particular eye care. If you believe to be experiencing problems with your vision, visit your local opticians as soon as possible.

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Explained!

 

Over the last number of years, the world has witnessed amazing advances in the field of medicine, especially with the advent of LASIK laser eye surgery. This revolutionary procedure has both given hope and excited those who experience problems with their eyesight.

But what exactly is LASIK eye surgery?

What happens during LASIK laser surgery is that the lasers correct refractive errors in the cornea. The laser perfectly controls the tearing of the corneal tissue, thereby reshaping the cornea and changing its focus. LASIK surgery follows a simple two step process:

1. A slight, thin flap of tissue is created on the outside layer of the eye or cornea. This flap encourages healing and provides comfort on the way to better vision.

2. The surgeon folds open the flap on the inner cornea to correct the eyesight. Once this is done, the flap is closed to its original position and sealed with stitches.

The word LASIK refers to Laser-Assisted In Sutu Keratomieusis, a process which is characterized by the reshaping of the cornea to refract light in the lens. While LASIK eye surgery is by no means perfect, it is a very viable and increasingly safe surgery.

Government regulations have led to improvements regarding the types of lasers to be used for LASIK laser surgery. If you or anyone you know are considering LASIK laser surgery I would advise you to carefully research the types of lasers used by your local doctors when performing LASIK.

New improvements coupled with the regulated costs of doctors mean that LASIK surgery has become more affordable, making it a possibility for some who could only dream of such improvement a few years back. Some surgeries are referred to as "bladeless" or "custom" LASIK, meaning they are more tailored towards the individual and are therefore more effective

Finally LASIK surgery is an exciting prospect to anyone who has suffered from vision problems in the past. However, just as when buying a car or house, you need to carefully consider all your options before embarking on LASIK.

Retrieved from "http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/lasik-laser-eye-surgery-explained-60250.html"

 

Jimmy Roos - About the Author:

For more info on Lasik laser eye
surgery and how it can help you, please visit
LASIK EYE ADVICE now.