Natural Vision Improvement V1.1

 
[15.0] DIET & LIGHT


[15.1] What nutrients are essential?

Vitamin A is the most important vitamin in vision, and lack can also
be a cause of generaly poor sight and poor night vision. Symptoms
of lack of Vitamin A include poor rapid dark-adaptation, pink or
inflamed eyelids and dryness of the cornea. RDA is 4000-5000 IU or
800-1000 RE. High sources are fish-liver oil, calf liver. Fat
soluble and therefore stored up in the body, you should be
carefull not to overdose on Vitamin A. Beta Caroteine is
an alternative (precursor) which does not accumulate in the body. The
mineral Zinc is a strong co-factor with Vitamin A.

An effective dose (under supervision of a doctor) for night
blindness is 15000 IU per day Beta Caroteine for one month with 20 mg
zinc per day.


B group Vitamins, should be taken as a complex.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is the most important of the B group
vitamins. Symptoms of lack of B1 include burning or bloodshot eyes,
unclear or double vision, conjunctivitis, eye fatigue,
sensitivity ot light and dark spots in visual field. RDA is 1.0-
1.5mg.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Symptoms of lack of B2 are burning or
bloodhsot eyes, conjunctivitis, eye fatigue, sensitivity to
light, puli dilation, twilight blindness and dark spots in the
visula field. RDA is 1.2-1.7 mg.

Vitamin B6 may be involved in regulating eye pressure and may help
prevetn glaucoma. RDA is 1.6-2.0mg.

Vitamin B12. Symptoms of lack of B12 may include a general
dimming of vision. RDA is 2mcg.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Super vitamin. The sclera of the eyedepends on Vitamin C, and cataracts may begin when Vitamin C
becomes deficient. Glaucoma may also be treated by Vitamin C, 2gm
daily for six days. RDA is 60mg. There is no know toxic dose.
Vitamin C should be taken with bioflavinoids.


Vitamin D and Calcium. Another important combination. There is
evidence linking childhood deficiency to myopia. Vitamin D is
needed for the asimilation of calcium, and the prevention of
waterlogged sclera. if the fibrous tunic around the eye has
excess water, the interoccular pressure may build up leading to
elongation and myopia. Vitamin D and calcium has been shown to
dehydrate the water from the scelar and reduce
elongation. optometrist Ben Lane showed myopic children
tended to have a diet higher in refined carbohydrates and
animal protein than clear seeing children. Resulting in a
deficiency of minerals, vitamins, calcium and chromium, and an
overabundance of phosphorus. High phosphorus reduces calcium
levels. RDA for Vitamin D is 200-400IU. Vitamin D is easy
to overdose on, producing elevated levels of calcium in the
blood and possibly hypercalcemia. RDA for calcium is 800-1200mg.

Vitamin E. Has been shown to have a positive effect on vision
problems. More then 600 IU per day will however interfer with
Vitamin A absorption. RDA is 9-10IU.

Zinc. Dark adaption may be impaired by zinc deficiency. Taken in
conjuction with Vitamin A has been shown to aleviate macular
degeneration, and poor night vision. RDA is 12-15mg. Make sure that
suplemental zinc is mixed with copper and selenium.

Chromium. Vital for bodily regulation of energy. Deficiencies are
caused by excess sugar in diet. dose is 200 to 500mg/day.

Accommodation has been shown to depend to be sensitive to
fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Sensitivities to certain foods
are reflected in the state of the eyes. Leafy green vegetables
are excelent for the eyes, having a detoxifying effect on the liver.
Fatty foods, sugary foods, stimulants and antibiotics have a
negative effect on the eyes.


[15.2] Should I be using full-spectrum lighting?

Yes. In Russia full spectrum lighting is mandated in many
workplaces and schools. In West Germany the government restricts the
use of low spectrum light in public buildings. Look for
Neodymium bulbs (ones from finland are highly recomended) which make
ideal reading lamps.

Dr John Ott has shown that extended exposure to cool-white
lighting such as fluorescent lights leads in high body levels of
metabolic hormones related to stress. Dr Ott has also shown a link
between full=spectrum lighting and recovery from various illnesses,
and that negative health factors can result from habitual wearing
of sunglasses.


[15.3] Should I avoid tints in glasses and lenses?

Yes. Unless there is a good reason for having them. Tinted
lenses and glasses contribute towards light sensitivity.


[15.4] What is the relationship between light and mood?

The optic nerve has two major pathways, one transmitting
photoelectric impluses to the brains cortex (visual perception), and
the other is a non visual or energetic pathway that leads to the
hypothalmus, pineal and pituatary glands. Thes regulate endocrine
and autonomic function and are responsible for physical and emotiional
changes.


[15.5] What is syntonics?

Syntonics is a branch of optometry dealing in the relationship
between various frequencies of light and neurophysiological
responses. Syntonics is used in the treatement of vision
problems by shining pencil thin beams of coloured lights onto the
retina to activate healing responses from the autonomic nervous
system. Good results are obtainable for the treatment of myopia,
astigmatism and hypermotropia. Consult a syntonic optometrist for more
details.

Blue-green light has been shown to be beneficial as therapy for
myopes. You can do this at home using coloured lighting gels and a
flashlight. You can experiment with different colours to elicit an
emotional response. Often colour therapy will trigger the release
of bottled up emotions and memories.


[15.6] Is there a homeopathic remedy?

Yes. Each indivudal would be treated according to his or her
overall unique set of symptoms and there isnt a generic remedy.
Consult a homeopathic practitioner for more details.

[15.7] What is eyebright?

Euphrasia Officinalis. A native herb of Europe with a long
history of use in vision. Recomended for eye inflamations,
stinging or weeping eyes, and hypersensitivity ot light. Can also be
applied topically.


[15.8] What is bilberry?

Vaccinium myrtillus. Bilbery is know to improve night vision and
visual accuity. Also used in relief from eye fatigue such as from
prolonged reading, day blindness (hemeralopoia), and some
disturbances of the retina.


>From Robert Bidleman's "Wildcrafter's Barrow" -- for original
document as well as references to scientific studies on bilberry (and
a chance to order some!) go to...

http://www.c2.org/~robbee/herbal.html

---------- ------------------BILBERRY.TXT-----------------------------

Bilberry, Huckleberry, Whortleberry, etc.

(NOTE- Some of the species called blueberry are actually
myrtillus and not corymbosum)

Found in cooler areas of North America and Eurasia, usually acid soils
in wooded areas, heaths and barren places. Usually found in moist
soils. Can be found under the canopies of larger tress, especially
old growth.

Used by the Kashaya Pomo in Northern California for diabetes and eye
dis- orders. Mentioned in many older texts in Buryatia, Europe,
China as an herb valuable for it's powerful ability to correct many
diseases of the digestive system, circulatory system and eyes.

It is unclear whether significant amounts of the active
constituents of V.Myrtillus are also present in V.Corymbosum but it
appears that people of the North East USA have used the leaves for
diabetes successfully for many years. Most of the research has been
done on Vaccinium Myrtillus.

---

For centuries Bilberry/Huckleberry has been used as a
circulatory enhancer and diabetic aid. The following has been found
in Bilberry: Ericolin, arbutin, beta-amyrin, nonacosane,
anthocyanosides, notably myrtocyan. Anthocyanosides are a type of
bioflavonoid which causes the deep blue-red color of many
berries. These anthocyanosides protect the vascular system by
strengthening the capillary walls. This produces many of the
secondary benefits such as lowering of blood pressure, reduction of
clots, reducing varicosities and bruising, reversing poor blood
supply and improving blood supply specifically to the nervous
system. Bilberry is used in Europe before surgery to prevent
excessive bleeding and hemorrhaging. A recent German medical
journal reports Bilberry effective in reducing execcesive bleeding by
71%. Bilberry also thins the blood by inhibiting the platelets from
adhesion to themselves. This combination of actions;

1 Improving capillary strength

2 Reduction of capillary leakage

3 Blood thinning

results in improved blood flow and dramatically reduces clotting
related health risks.

During World War II RAF pilots were forced to fly at night in
order to accomplish any deep assault on Germany. Many pilots and their
crew members complained of the poor visibility and its effects
on their performance. It was just simply very difficult to work in the
dark. One of the families of a flight leader had an older woman
who suggested using Bilberry jam as an aid to night vision.
Researchers found fifty years later what the RAF already knew,
Bilberry's powerful effects increased retinal purple
 by dramatic amounts in just twenty minutes . Further research
showed that the RAF pilots who survived and continued consuming the
jam or other Bilberry products had several remarkable aspects to their
health. The most noticeable was perfect vision both near and far as
well as a complete absence of eye disorders throughout their lives. The
group was absent of any circulatory or digestive disorders in their
medical histories. Another study showed Bilberry to improve
eyesight and increase occular blood supply in 75% of patients. It
improved nearsightedness after 5 months of regular use while an
83% improvement in visual acuity was recorded after only 15
days. One of the more encouraging statistics regarding
Bilberry's visual enhancing properties is that over 80% of the people
taking Bilberry for the first time improved on their visual
acuity exam and passed a night vision test within 3 minutes of
ingestion. Long term improvements took an average of 6 weeks with
regular doses.

The anthocyanosides of Bilberry which may vary in amounts from one
variety to another have been proven to be one of the more powerful
antioxidants. Ranked higher in activity than vitamins E and C by
Dr. Pierre Braquet, a well known phyto
researcheranthocyanosides prevent free radical damage to collagen and
collagenous tissue, making it one of the most important agents to
treat diseases such as osteoarthritis, gout, and periodontal
diseases. Vaccinium Myrtillus' anthocyanosides proved
consistently to increase the acetylcholine-induced relaxation
of isolated coronary arteries. This is a promising update to the
already impressive list of benefits of Bilberry.

Another quality of Bilberry is the effect it has on the digestive
system most notably, the stomach. Bilberry increases the
secretion of the mucuous layer that protects the stomach from
damage. A recent study showed Bilberry to inhibit ulcers in 63% of
patients at risk .

One of the most beneficial aspects to Bilberry's circulatory
effects is the fact that the most affected are the areas which are
usually the last to be improved, scalp, eyes, dental and
peripheral areas such as extremities. This is one of the dual
actions that diabetes patients value in Bilberry; it's proven
action on the circulatory system which complicates diabetes and the
modification of blood sugar levels in type I and type II
diabetes.


The fresh or dried berries are useful for a feverish liver and are
useful as an adjunct in stomach conditions. In Russia the berries
are called affectionately by the name "Chernika" and are used with
the leaves in tinctures for gastric colitis and other digestive
problems. It has a legendary reputation as aid to an diabetics.


by   Robert Bidleman

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courtesy of Karen deWeeger (kyd@EBay.Sun.COM)

-------------------------------- BILBERRY ANTHOCYANOSIDES

The chemical composition of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) has
been studied by many authors who have found glucosides of cyanidine,
malvidine, delphynidine, petunidine and peonidine. The interest
in Bilberry anthocyanisides was first aroused in view of the fact
that bilberry extracts administered to healthy subjects were apt
to improve night-time visual aquity, and accomplish a quick
adjustment to darkness and fast restoration of visual acuity after
glaring. It was later found that these anthocyanosides exert a
dual action on blood capillaries by increasing their resistance
and reducing their permeability.

PHARMACOLOGY

Tests conducted by Alfieri and Sole (1964) on rabbits showed
Bilberry anthocyanosides to speed up the regeneration of retinal
purple and adaptation to darkness when administered
intravenously. Their activities on capillary permeability was
studied by Demure (1964) on rabbits through the Blue Trypan Test
according to the Ambrose and De Eds technique. After injecting the
dyeing agent into the vein and rubbing the depilated skin with
chloroform, a local irritation sets on facilitating the spreading
of the dyeing agent outside the capillaries. The subsequent
appearance of a blue stain on the skin can be considerably
delayed in rabbits pre- treated with intravenously injected
Bilberry anthocyanosides which have greater intensity and duration
of action than other P-Vitamin factors. The activity of
Bilberry anthocyanosides on capillary resistance was tested on guinea
pigs, rats, and mice as reported by Bastide (1968), by
measuring the vacuum rate required to cause the failure of surface
vessels. The test was conducted before and after administration
of anthocyanosides and confirmed their protective action on vasal
walls. Pourrat et al. (1967) made acute toxicity tests on
mice and rats by administrating anthocyanosides intraperitoneally,
intravenously, and orally. LD 50 in the first two cases was 2.35 -
4.11 g/kg, and 0.24 - 0.848 g/kg, respectively. Anthocyanosides showed
no toxicity in the third case. These results are particularly
satisfactory in that oral administration is the preferred way in
current therapeutical applications. Chronic toxicity tests have
also confirmed the high degree of harmlessness of bilberry
anthocyanosides. At the same time, the Authors tested the general
effects, the P-Vitamin activity, and the action on retinal
purple, and confirmed previous results.

CLINICAL STUDIES

The first clinical experiment in ophtalmology was conducted by
Jayle and Aubert (1964) on 37 healthy subjects. The results,
which were also studied statistically, showed a marked
improvement in the retinal adaptation curve and some improvement in
vision aquity in dimlight. The most conspicuous changes
appeared four hours after the oral administration of the
substances and disappeared in 24 hours. Overlapping results were
obtained by Volpi and Bertoni (1964) who used existing
information to study the effect of Bilberry anthocyanosides on the
retinal sensitivity to light in healthy subjects. Florini et al.
(1965) used Bilberry anthocyanosides to treat diseased cases -
most of them affected by pigmentary retinis - as well as healthy
subjects. Their findings showed an enlargement of the vision range
in addition to a higher adaptation curve, this being a remarkable
result in diseased patients. Through the favourable action of
Bilberry anthocyanosides on vision appeared to be finally
established, some Authors intended to provide a further contribution
in this field. In particular, studies were conducted by Mercier (1965),
Scialdone (1966), Alfieri and sole (1966), Magnasco (1966),
Gloria and Perla (1966), and Urso (1967) who restricted their
investigations to the effects following a short-duration per os
treatment.

Zavarise (1968) thought it useful to study a number of
hemeralopia patients and subjected them to a similar treatment
during a longer period of time. This approach would permit to
observe the constancy of the effect during the treatment, its
duration after discontinuance, and any side-effects.

On the second day of treatment, the patients already showed an
improvement in the retinal luminous sensitivity that remained
virtually constant during three months' treatment, although it
gradually decreased when the drug was discontinued as shown by the
return of the adaptation curve to its original condition.

The same patients, when subjected to a new treating cycle, again
showed values overlapping those previously found and never
evidenced side-effects. Juneman (1968) was successfull in a
similar case of hemeralopia which at first seemed unsolvable.

Around the same time as the early experiments in ophtalmology, the
effectiveness of orally administered Bilberry anthocyanosides was
more generally tested on all those tissues which are
particularly sensitive to disturbances in the capillary blood
systems.

Terrasse and Moinade (1964) obtained satisfactory results in
patients affected by blood purpuras and various encephalic
circulation disturbances. They also treated cases subjected to
anti-coagulating measures and varicose vein patients.

In the same year, Demure reported on 124 cases affected by
arterious and venous troubles from various origins, and 10
capillary fragility subjects. All were treated with
anthocyanosides. The results obtained were very satisfactory, even
from the standpoint of tolerance to the product used.
Cuvellier et al. (1966) made a deep study into capillary
permeability and determined its pathological increase by an
appropriate technique.

The patients selected for the purpose had a common complaint in an
unbalanced water and plasmatic protein distribution on both sides of
the capillary wall. The anthocyanoside-based treatment produced a
marked improvement and reduced hyperpermeability in most cases.

Romeuf (1967) studied the effect of Bilberry anthocyanosides
exclusively on microscopic hematuriae caused by diffuse and
kidney glomerule capillary fragility.

Sixty per cent of a variety of kidney patients showed appreciable
reduction in hematuria. Failures in the remaining cases were
explained by taking into consideration more serious conditions and
advanced stages in specific deceses.

Satisfactory results were obtained by Baudon et al (1968) in
obstetrics. They experimented with an association based on
Bilberry anthocyanosides and vitamin E. The clinical pattern
improved in 35 pregnant women, most of them affected by varices and
various blood troubles. The drug was well tolerated and no side
effects were found in either the mother and the infant.

Canivet and Passa (1971) were also successful in associating
Bilberry anthocyanosides with such other active principles as
nicotinic acid, papaverine, and phenobarbital.

The product was administered as a vasodilator, hypotensor and
capillary wall protector to diabetes patients and subjects
affected by artery hypertension and arteritis.

A number of Authors followed the course of Vitamin P factors -
particularly Bilberry anthocyanosides - in the body.

In the light of earlier investigations, Bastide (1968) stated that
these are largely found in the form of metabolites in urines and
originated by the activity of liver and kidney enzymes.

The pharmacological and clinical surveys reported here clearly
evidence the effectiveness of Bilberry anthocyanosides in all
arterial and venous troubles which are accompanied by capillary
fragility  or  hyperpermeability.

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[15.9] What other herbs are of benefit?

Succus Cineraria Maritima. Has been shown to increase the
circulation between the tissues of the eye. Has also been shown to
reduce of the opacity in cataracts.

Spirulina. A rich source of protein, beta caroteine, B-complex
vitamins, iron, magnesium, selenium, enzymes, DNA, RNA, and
potasium.

For more details on Native American herbs consult.

Los Remedios. Traditional Herbal Remedies of the Southwest. by
Micheal Moore.

Earth Medicine Earth food: Plant remedies, Drugs, and Natural Foods
of the North American Indians. by Micheal A. Weiner.



[15.10] What are drugs that may adversly affect visual accuity?

[15.11] What are drugs that may adversly affect pupilary
response?

[15.12] What are drugs that may adversly affect eye movement?

[15.13] What are drugs that may adversly affect eye pressure?

[15.14] What are drugs that may adversly affect the conjuntiva,
cornea, and lens?

[15.15] What are drugs that may adversly affect the retina and optic
nerve?


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