When you think about improving your eyesight, natural therapies are not usually the first thing that springs to mind. Most people make an appointment with their optician and either opt for glasses or contact lenses.
We know that the eyes have a lot of undue stress, causing muscles to strain and stress, whilst other muscles become weak, which in turn has an effect on the eyeball. This misshaped eyeball effect is what causes refractive errors i.e. poor eyesight. Therefore, if the muscles can become weak, then they too can be strengthened and protected by exercise. These vision improvement exercises are used to correct many types of vision problems, including lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes (strabismus), near or far sightedness, and ageing vision.
It is estimated that there are over two hundred different eye exercises available to treat a variety of vision problems. A lot of these eye exercises are simple and easy to fit into your daily routine. Natural eye exercises may not be the total solution, but they can help you prevent further vision deterioration.
Glasses have been around for centuries to help improve and provide clearer vision. More modern methods of vision correction such as contact lenses and eye surgery are more advanced, but actually treat the symptoms rather than the cause, just as glasses do. Even pinhole glasses have been used to focus light rays on the retina.
It is believed that glasses promote further deterioration of the eyes, and prevent natural healing. Glasses put additional strain on the eyes. Natural vision coaches recommend their clients stop wearing, or at least get a reduced prescription, when using natural vision correction methods. Natural vision coaches teach that if the eyes are relaxed and reconditioned, vision will improve. Eye exercises are used to train coordination and flexibility for muscles in and around the eye. They strengthen the muscles and nerves in the brain and vision system to help correct vision.
Relaxed central vision is a key to natural eyesight improvement according to the natural vision coaches, or Bates Method practitioners. However there is some debate whether natural vision correction is valid. For example it is not recognized by the American Optometric Association.
People that practice natural vision correction usually are not licensed professionals however; some licensed professionals may practice natural correction on the side.
The benefits of natural vision correction are that it is a non-invasive, natural, and holistic method that can be used alongside other vision aids such as glasses and contact lenses. There is no risk involved whilst trying natural vision correction methods. The downside is that it can take time to notice any benefits.
When one mentions “vision correction” there’s a tendency to think there’s something wrong with the eyes. However, the eyes are not the ones actually doing the “seeing”? They are merely apertures through which light rays pass through.
These light rays stimulate the eye and turn the light into brain signals which are sent to the visual cortex (the part of your brain that processes these signals). The brain then decodes those signals and generates the images that you see.
In trying to correct their vision, most people try to fix the eyes themselves. After all, we’ve often been told that because the window is wrong, light rays landed on the wrong part of the eye. Right?
But the truth is, your brain is the one that causes the window to be wrong in the first place. Why? Because it adapts to the environment you’re in. If you’re spending most of your time doing close range work, and you’re always under a lot of stress, then your brain will adapt and send signals to your eyes to make it myopic.
The key to natural vision correction, therefore, is not in correcting the eyes. It’s in correcting the brain. For starters, here’s what you can do:
As much as possible, get rid of stress. People who are stressed have higher incidence of eye problems.
Try to focus on one task at a time. Studies have shown that multi-tasking decreases productivity and places unnecessary strain on your eyes.
Dr Marc Grossman from www.naturaleyecare.com, who has been working in the natural eye healing field for over 30 years, kindly demonstrates easy to do eye exercises.
The following is a list of symptoms which are commonly confused with eye allergy.
Dry eye
This condition results from reduced tear production and is frequently confused with allergy. The main symptoms are usually burning, grittiness, or the sensation of “something in the eye.” Dry eye usually occurs in people over 65 years of age and can certainly be worsened by oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Atarax), Claritin, or Zyrtec, sedatives, and beta-blocker medications.
Tear-duct obstruction
This is caused by a blockage in the tear passage that extends from the eyes to the nasal cavity. This condition is also typically seen in the elderly. The main complaint is watery eyes that do not itch. Allergy testing will be negative in this case.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis due to infection can be caused by either bacteria or viruses. In bacterial infections, the eyes are often “bright red” and the eyelids stick together, especially in the morning. A discolored mucous discharge is often seen, so-called “dirty eyes.” Viral conjunctivitis causes slight redness of the eyes and a glassy appearance from tearing. Adenovirus is a major cause of viral conjunctivitis. The herpes virus, such as that which causes chickenpox or shingles, can also affect the eye. Adenovirus infection is very contagious and may be spread by either direct contact, such as hand contact, or in contaminated swimming pools. You should seek medical attention if you suspect any of the above.
Most people with eye allergies treat themselves and do so quite effectively with OTC products. If these remedies are not working or if there is eye pain, extreme redness, or heavy discharge, you should seek medical advice. Some conditions, for example, are serious with potential sight-threatening complications if required treatment is delayed.
Moistening the eyes with artificial tears helps to dilute accumulated allergens and also prevents the allergens from sticking to the conjunctiva. Tear substitutes may also improve the defense function of the natural tear film.
Avoid the triggers
Avoidance is once again the cornerstone of allergy treatment. It is particularly important to avoid both airborne and contact allergens. Remember, rubbing your eyes is a physical trigger and therefore must be avoided.
Topical antihistamines & decongestants
Antihistamine eyedrops work by blocking histamine receptors in the conjunctiva. The histamine, therefore, is unable to attach to the conjunctiva and exert its effects. They are effective in relieving itching but have little impact on swelling or redness. They have two advantages over antihistamine tablets; there is a quicker onset of action and less drying of the eye. The new generation of topical antihistamines includes emedastine difumarate (Emadine) and levocabastine (Livostin). The side effects of these medications include mild stinging and burning of the eyes upon use, headaches, and sleepiness. But treatment with antihistamines at the point of irritation is still preferable than treating systemically with oral antihistamines if possible.
Decongestants take the redness away as advertised. However, they do not help relieve itching. They act by shrinking the blood vessels on the conjunctiva. (They are not really effective against allergic eyes.) The decongestants, oxymetazdine (Visine LR) and tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride (Visine Original) are available OTC. They do have a potential for abuse and should not be used by people with narrow-angle glaucoma, an eye disease characterized by elevated pressure within the eye.
The prolonged use of decongestant nasal sprays can produce a rebound phenomenon in which the medication begins to cause more congestion than it relieves. This phenomenon rarely occurs in the eyes with the repeated use of decongestant drops.
The mucous membranes of the eye are different from those of the nose. The eyes can become irritated and less responsive to the drops, but unlike the nose, the eyes tend not to develop “rebound” redness.
Combination antihistamine-decongestant preparations can provide quick relief that lasts a few hours. They lessen the itch, redness, and swelling and are very useful for milder symptoms. Common combinations include pheniramine with naphcyoline hydrochloride (Naphcon-A or Opcon-A) and antazoline with naphazoline (Vasocon-A). Side effects are minimal, but the drops may become less effective if used for prolonged periods. They do have a potential for abuse and should not be used by people with narrow-angle glaucoma.
Topical mast-cell stabilizers
Mast-cell stabilizers prevent the release of chemical mediators of inflammation from the mast cells. These are effective for all eye allergies. The first of this class of drug was cromolyn sodium (Crolom or Opticrom), which is available OTC. This topical medicine has been effective for treating mild cases of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and probably mild allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and has no significant side effects. It does have a slow onset of action. The newer agent, lodoxamide (Alomide), is 2,500 times more potent than Crolom and has a faster onset of action. This prescription medicine may be used in children older than 2 years of age and has minimal side effects. One disadvantage is the need to use the drops four times a day, and long-term use is necessary to prevent symptoms.
The most effective mast-cell stabilizer, which also has antihistamine properties, is Patanol. Available by prescription, it is 250 times more effective than Alomide in relieving itching and redness. This drug provides rapid relief of itching and burning eyes. It can also prevent symptoms when used before an exposure or before the pollen season. The drops are very comfortable in the eye and can by used in children as young as 3 years old. The longer duration of action allows dosing of twice a day.
Another new product, ketotifen (Zaditor), also has dual mast-cell-stabilizing and antihistamine effects. It dramatically reduces itching and redness and gives more rapid relief within minutes.
Topical antiinflammatory drugs
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are particularly useful in treating itchy eyes. They reduce redness and swelling to a lesser degree. Ketorolac (Acular) is a topical NSAID, which may cause temporary stinging and burning in 40% of users.
Steroid antiinflammatory eyedrops are very effective in treating eye allergies, but they are reserved for severe symptoms that are unresponsive to other treatments. They must be used with caution in people with bleeding tendencies because they can increase the bleeding risk. Since there are significant risks with long-term treatment, their use should be supervised by an ophthalmologist.
Caution must be taken, however, because of the potential side effects of the long-term use of steroids, even in eye drop form. Side effects of steroids include elevated pressure in the eyes and cataracts. The elevated pressure in the eyes can become glaucoma and lead to damage of the optic (eye) nerve and loss of vision. Cataracts are a clouding or opacification of the clear natural lens within the eye, which can interfere with vision. The purpose of the lens is to focus the light or images that enter the eye. Remember, however, that the side effects of steroids usually occur with long-term use and that steroid eyedrops may be very effective when used over the short term. Loteprednol etabonate (Alrex) is a new short-acting steroid with fewer side effects that shows great promise in the treatment of allergic eye disease.
Comparted to some allergic reactions, most allergic eye conditions are more irritating than dangerous. However, some can result in permanent damage to the eye, for example allergic or vernal keratoconjunctivitis could result in scarring of the cornea and visual problems. Most allergic reactions are dry and itchy eyes.
Some of the ways to treat eye allergies are topical antihistamine/decongestant preparations, which are are effective and safe for mildly itchy, red eyes. Patanol, a topical mast-cell stabilizer, is a safe, highly effective, long-acting treatment. Topical steroids should be used with caution and under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
There are things you can do to prevent allergy syptoms. Dry eyes may aggravate eye allergy symptoms. Tear substitutes, such as artificial tears, are an effective lubricant and a great treatment. Cold compresses may help, particularly with sudden allergic reactions and swollen eyes. Keep eyedrops refrigerated since this makes application more soothing.
As with any medical issues, if in doubt, seek medical advice sooner rather than later.
