Eyesight is an integral part of your special senses and is “your window onto the world”. Clear eyesight cannot be taken for granted as your eyes deserve the very best care you can give, in order to keep them healthy for as long as possible. Do you have trouble reading the fine print in a newspaper or book?  If so, you are not alone. A vast number of middle aged people will display some signs of impaired vision which are age related, however not all eye conditions are considered “normal”.

An insight into eyesight

Imagine that the process of sight is similar to that of looking through a lens of a camera and then taking a picture. When you look at an image, light enters your eyes through a window called the cornea (the clear outer layer of the eye). The light creates a visual perception that passes through the lens of your eye for further fine-tuning and then on to your retina (innermost part of your eye). The film of a camera is similar to the action of the retina as it sends a message to your brain via the optic nerve to form an image; pretty amazing!

Macular degeneration and eyesight

Commonly referred to as age–related macular degeneration or AMD. AMD usually affects people over the age of 55 and is regarded as one of the leading causes of blindness. The macula is the size of this “O” and forms part of the retina and damage to this area affects your clear and central vision. Central vision allows you to see straight ahead when driving and reading. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet.

Dry AMD

Most common type

• Macula thins over time causing blurring of central vision
• Slow progression
• Affects 70-90% of sufferers

Wet AMD

Not as common as dry AMD

• Irregular blood vessel growth occurs, bleeding and leaking fluid under the macula causes scarring that affects central vision
• More rapid progression than dry AMD
• Affects 5-20% of sufferers

Natural remedies for healthy eyesight

• Bilberry contains anthocyanosides key antioxidants specific for regeneration of rhodopsin a pigment found in the retina that is responsible for vision in low light. Bilberry improves circulation to the eye increasing nutrients for eye health.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin are coloured pigments collectively known as carotenoids that are found in high concentrations in the macula (retina) of the eye. Protects and maintains eye tissue by filtering and absorbing high-energy blue light to protect the delicate photoreceptors from damage.
• Betacarotene another carotenoid converts to vitamin A and is important for rhodopsin regeneration.
• Concentrated Omega 3’s contain fatty acids, in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supporting healthy eye function.

Hot off the press; a recent clinical trial using a combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and omega 3  showed benefits for sufferers of AMD by boosting the pigment in the retina.

 6 tips for healthy eyes

• Get regular eye check ups
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid animal fat & processed foods
• Avoid beer & smoking as it increases the risk of AMD
• Eat green leafy  vegetables & fruits daily to provide antioxidants
• Increase consumption of yellow coloured vegetables as they are high in lutein and zeaxanthin*

*high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the macular and are responsible for preventing free radical damage to the retina and preventing AMD.

Mr Vitamins recommends

Herbs of Gold products for maintaining Eye Health

• Macu-Guard with Bilberry 10 000
• Omega-3 Concentrate

Learn more about Herbs of Gold products for Eye Health