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MyopiaEncyclopedia of Alternative Medicine by Mai TranDefinitionMyopia is the medical term for nearsightedness. People with myopia see objects more clearly when they are close to the eye, while distant objects appear blurred or fuzzy. Reading and close-up work may be clear, but distance vision is blurry. DescriptionMyopia affects about 30% of the population in the United States. To understand myopia it is necessary to have a basic knowledge of the main components involved in the eye`s focusing system: the cornea, lens, and retina. The cornea is a tough, transparent, dome-shaped tissue that covers the front of the eye (not to be confused with the white, opaque sclera). The cornea lies in front of the iris (the colored part of the eye). The lens is a transparent, double-convex structure located behind the iris. The retina is a thin membrane that lines the rear of the eyeball. Light-sensitive retinal cells convert incoming light rays into electrical signals that are sent along the optic nerve to the brain, which then interprets the images. In people with normal vision, parallel light rays enter the eye and are bent by the cornea and lens (a process called refraction) to focus precisely on the retina, providing a crisp, clear image. In the myopic eye, the focusing power of the cornea (the major refracting structure of th e eye) and the lens is too great with respect to the length of the eyeball. Light rays are bent too much, and they converge in front of the retina. This results in what is called a refractive error. In other words, an overly focused, fuzzy image is sent to the brain. There are many types of myopia. Some common types include:
By far the most common, physiologic myopia develops sometime between the ages of five to 10 years and gradually progresses until the eye is fully grown. This may include refractive myopia (cornea and lens-bending properties are too strong) and axial myopia (the eyeball is too long). Pathologic myopia is a far less common abnormality. This condition begins as physiologic myopia, but rather than stabilizing, the eye continues to enlarge at an abnormal rate (progressive myopia). This more advanced type of myopia may lead to degenerative changes in the eye, or degenerative myopia. Acquired myopia occurs after infancy. This condition may be seen in association with uncontrolled diabetes and certain types of cataracts. Antihypertensive drugs and other medications can also affect the refractive power of the lens. Causes & symptomsMyopia is said to be caused by an elongation of the eyeball. This means that the oblong (as opposed to normal spherical) shape of the myopic eye causes the cornea and lens to focus at a point in front of the retina. A more precise explanation is that there is an inadequate correlation between the focusing power of the cornea and lens and the length of the eye. Myopia is considered to be primarily a hereditary disorder, meaning that it runs in families. People are generally born with a small amount of hyperopia (farsightedness), but as the eye grows this decreases and myopia does not become evident until later. Because of this, it is sometimes argued that myopia is not inherited, but acquired. Some eyecare professionals believe that a tendency toward myopia may be inherited, but the actual disorder results from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Environmental factors include close work, stress, and eye strain. The symptoms of myopia are blurred distance vision, eye discomfort, squinting, and eye strain. DiagnosisThe diagnosis of myopia is typically made during the first several years of elementary school when a teacher notices a child having difficulty seeing the chalkboard, reading, or concentrating. The teacher or school nurse often recommends an eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. An ophthalmologist--M.D. or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy)--is a medical doctor trained in the diagnosis and treatment of eye problems. Ophthalmologists also perform eye surgery. An optometrist (O.D.) diagnoses and manages and/or treats eye and visual disorders. In many states, optometrists are licensed to use diagnostic and therapeutic drugs. A patient`s distance vision is tested by reading letters or numbers on a chart posted a set distance away (usually 20 ft, or 6 m). The doctor has the patient view images through a variety of lenses to obtain the best correction. The doctor also examines the inside of the eye and the retina. An instrument called a slit lamp is used to examine the cornea and lens. The eyeglass prescription is written in terms of diopters (D), which measure the degree of refractive error. Mild to moderate myopia usually falls between -1.00D and -6.00D. Normal vision is commonly referred to as 20/20 to describe the eye`s focusing ability 20 ft away from an object. For example, 20/50 means that a myopic person must be 20 ft away from an eye chart to see what a normal person can see at 50 ft (15 m). The larger the bottom number, the greater the myopia. TreatmentNutritional therapyThe following nutritional supplements may help improve vision:
Eye exercisesSome eye care professionals recommend exercises to help improve circulation, reduce eye strain, and relax the eye muscles. The Bates method is a common set of exercises. It is possible that by combining exercises with changes in behavior, the progression of myopia may be slowed or prevented. Alternative treatments include: visual therapy (also referred to as vision training or eye exercises); discontinuing close work; reducing eye strain (taking a rest break during periods of prolonged near vision tasks); and wearing bifocals to decrease the need to accommodate when doing close-up work. AcupunctureAcupuncture, by acting on eye muscles, causes changes in the shape of the eyeball and thus, may be able to correct nearsightedness. Approximately 10 sessions followed by daily eye exercises are needed to see significant and prolonged results. Allopathic treatment
Mood makeovers: change your state mind with these at-home tension-relieving tips, tailored to keep you feeling and looking your bestNatural Health , Oct, 2004 by Megan O`ConnellYOUR BIG PRESENTATION is due first thing in the morning; you`ll have to work late. You desperately need to squeeze in a workout, but there are a million things to take care of at home: a stack of past-due bills, kids clamoring for dinner, a dog that needs walking. By the end of the day you might find yourself begging Calgon (or Air Tahiti) to take you away! A little stress in our lives is unavoidable; in fact, it gives us energy and pushes us to succeed. But too much stress is, well, just too much. It takes a toll not only on our minds and health, but on our looks as well. "When our bodies perceive a stressful situation, they respond by releasing adrenaline and other hormones," explains Richard G. Fried, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and clinical psychologist in Yardley, Pa. These changes, says Fried, are especially hard on the skin, which may end up looking either very sallow or very flushed, depending on whether your blood vessels tend to dilate or constrict as a stress response. Stress can also exacerbate skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea and eczema, and even lead to hair loss; over time, it can cause skin to appear aged beyond its years. To look your best, find your own way to keep stress under control. "The way each person experiences stress is as unique as a fingerprint," says aromatherapist Noella Gabriel, director of product and treatment development for the spa line Elemis. You might become unfocused and agitated, while your mate or colleague feels drained and worn out. No matter what your stress response is, the right beauty boosters can help. Here`s our roundup of the best suggestions for when the pressures of life are making you anxious, frazzled or sluggish. your stress response you worry too much Milestone birthdays, career changes, a big event like a wedding, illness (your own, or that of someone close to you)--all of these can leave you feeling apprehensive and nervous. Putting the importance of each situation into perspective can help ease anxiety. So can setting aside a few minutes each day to care for yourself using one (or both) of these methods: SOLUTIONS * Relax the muscles in your face. A furrowed brow and a tight mouth are sure signs of tension and worry. "If you have a habit of tensing the muscles in your face, dynamic wrinkles or `expression lines` can form," says Sumayah Jamal, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology and microbiology at New York University School of Medicine. "Over time, these lines can progress to permanent wrinkles." This simple facial-relaxation exercise can de-stress your body and give your face a more youthful look, long-term: Sit with your eyes closed and focus on your facial muscles. If they`re tense, consciously relax them one at a time, moving from your forehead down to your mouth. Also, just as a body massage can relieve muscle tension, adding a massage during your skin-care routine can help, too. TO TRY: Chanel Ultra Correction Nuit ($75; gloss.com) comes with cotton massage gloves and a guide that explains how to eliminate muscular tensions by pinching specific areas of the face between the thumb and index finger. The deeply hydrating cream contains natural softening humectants like canola oil and shea butter extract. Tony & Tina Herbal Face Cream with Borage ($34; tonytina.com) contains apricot-kernel oil and mango-seed and shea butters to soften and moisturize skin--just right for facial massage. * Use aromatherapy oils to ease your breathing. "Part of the stress response is that you adopt a different pattern of breathing than when you`re relaxed," says Jamal. Anxiety causes the chest to tighten, which makes breathing shallow. To help loosen the chest, Gabriel recommends taking deep breaths, imagining that you`re drawing them in from the belly, while inhaling essential oils that relax the respiratory muscles, such as eucalyptus and tea tree. Peppermint also can help, as it is thought to calm the digestive system--another area of the body that is often affected by stress. TO TRY: Origins Sensory Therapy Peace of Mind Stress-Relief Diffusing Oil ($15) and Diffuser ($10; both at origins.com) come with a candle that warms an essential-oil blend to infuse the air with the calming aroma of basil, peppermint and eucalyptus. Elemis Tea Tree-Melaleuca Alternifolia ($30; elemis.com) is 100 percent tea-tree essential oil, which can be mixed with a tablespoonful of milk (a natural hydrator and skin smoother) and then added to bath water. Kneipp Spruce Sparkling Herbal Bath ($3 per tablet; 800-937-4372), a no-mess tablet infused with essential oils, fizzes when added to water. your stress response you feel tired all the time The culprit is probably lack of sleep--often the first thing to go when tension levels rise. "Sleep requires a passive disengagement from a bustling environment," says Colleen Carney, Ph.D., a fellow in the department of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center. "The level of activity and tension that a stressful lifestyle creates sends emergency-like signals through the body. We can`t sleep when our bodies think there`s an emergency." Make your bedroom a sanctuary to promote sound shut-eye. If it still eludes you, follow this advice for looking and feeling more energized: Eyes relaxation index
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