Vision disorders
Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients , Oct, 2002
Excerpted from Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition by Burton
Goldberg, copyright 2002 by AlternativeMedicine.com. Reprinted by permission
of Celestial Arts. To order, go to www.alternativemedicine.com or call 800-842665.
Nearly 60% of Americans require vision correction by the tune they reach adulthood,
but standard treatments such as corrective lenses or surgery may in fact contribute
to further visual impairment. Fortunately, many vision problems can be prevented
or treated through the use of nutrition, eye exercises, behavioral optometry biofeedback,
Ayurvedic medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Many people grow accustomed to their vision problems, assuming that their eyes
are deteriorating as a result of aging. However, poor diet and nutrition, physical,
mental, and emotional stress, poor visual skills, and side effects of pharmaceutical
drugs are the causes of many vision problems, which are often unrelated to eye disease
or dysfunction of the visual system.
"The proper functioning of our visual system has far-reaching effects on our
general health, beyond an ability to see clearly," says Glen Swartwout, OD, of Hilo,
Hawaii. "Information processed by the eyes helps to regulate functions such as biological
rhythms, as well as the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. It also provides
the dominant source of information for human perception, thinking, and coordination
of movement."
The ability to process visual information depends on highly refined eye/brain
communication. As light strikes the retina (the innermost layer of the eye, which
receives images), chemical changes convert the light energy to a visual nerve impulse,
which is then processed by the brain. According to Dr. Swartwout, when eye/brain
communication is disrupted, related problems include blurred vision, altered depth
perception, loss of central or peripheral vision, double vision, sensitivity to
light, and changes in color perception. If not treated, impaired vision can lead
to any number of physiological or psychological problems, including lack of coordination,
spatial disorientation, or reading, writing, and learning difficulties.
Types of Vision Disorders
Conditions that can impair vision range from relatively minor problems, such
as myopia (nearsightedness), to more serious illnesses, like glaucoma (increased
pressure in the eye) and cataracts.
Poor Eyesight
Poor eyesight, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, is
a condition that usually results from a refractive error (deflection of a light
ray from a straight path as it moves through the eye).
Nearsightedness occurs when the visual image falls in front of the retina, preventing
proper focusing on distant objects. Causes stem from a longer than normal eye, a
steeply curved cornea, or the inability of the lens of the eye to sufficiently relax.
Farsightedness (hyperopia) occurs when the visual image focuses behind the retina,
preventing proper vision of nearby objects. Causes stem from the eye being shorter
than normal, the cornea too flat, lack of muscle tone in the ciliary muscle that
controls the lens, or a combination of these factors.
Astigmatism is a condition in which the shape of the cornea is more oval than
round, causing the eye to focus on two points instead of one. Blurring, fatigue,
and headaches are often the result.
Cataracts
Defined as a partial or complete clouding of the lens of the eye, cataracts are
the leading cause of impaired vision and blindness in the United States. (1) Though
one can develop cataracts at any age, it occurs most frequently in older adults.
Dr Swartwout notes that in addition to the aging process, risk factors include extensive
exposure to radiation or infrared light, certain medications such as steroids, injuries,
and diseases. He adds that cataracts have also been linked to vitamin, mineral,
and protein imbalances.
Conjunctivitis
Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is an irritating inflammation of the conjunctiva,
the mucous membrane that lines the eye and eyelid. Symptoms include discharge from
the eye (often containing pus), pain, swelling, and redness, as well as itching
and discomfort with bright lights. Eyelids may stick together upon awakening. Causes
of conjunctivitis include infections, allergies, stress, and poor nutrient levels.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of several diseases generally characterized by loss of peripheral
vision, accompanied in many cases by an increase in fluid pressure within the eyeball.
It is frequently asymptomatic in the early stages and often goes undetected. Today,
there are two million cases of glaucoma in the US, making it a leading cause of
blindness among older adults. (2) And although aging is a factor, other causes include
serious eye injuries, eye surgery, certain medications including steroids, and eye
tumors. Glaucoma may also be linked to nutritional deficiency in the retina and
optic nerve and to excess toxins and metabolic wastes. In addition, the risk of
developing glaucoma significantly increases among women who experience early menopause,
as shown by a recent study of over 3,000 women conducted at the Netherlands Ophthalmic
Research Institute. Women who entered menopause before age 45 were more than twice
as likely to develop glaucoma as women who were at least 50 years old when they
became menopau sal. The study indicates that female hormones may play a protective
role against glaucoma. (3)
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Get sexy!: 47 ways to work the wow! Alluring eyes, touchable hair, fab manicures
and more - beauty
Essence , Feb, 2003 by Vanessa Bush, Pamela Edwards, Stephanie Scott
the sexiest scents
There`s nothing more sensual than an inviting scent. Try these new versions of
some of our sexy favorites: Calvin Klein Eternity En Purple Orchid and Lancome Miracle
Intense.
Spice things up with ginger. The Chinese have used it as an aphrodisiac for centuries.
One ginger-based scent we love: Origins Ginger Essence Intensified Fragrance Spray.
Scent your sheets with a spritz so enticing you can`t wait to crawl between them.
To make your own, add a few drops of a sensual oil like ylang-ylang or patchouli
to spray bottle filled with tap or distilled water.
Create bedroom ambience by dabbing a drop of rosewood, geranium or sandalwood
oil on your lamp bulb. The heat will diffuse the scent throughout the room. Instant
gratification!
Treat yourself to a warm summer night in the dead of winter by adding some jasmine
oil to your bath and basking in its lush, heady aroma.
Set the stage for romance with roses, the ultimate symbol of love. Our favorite
bouquet comes in a candle: Red Flower Moroccan Rose.
Captivate with a clean, classic scent that has kept its allure: Channel No. 5
Eau de Parfum.
fabulous makeup tips and how-tos
Raise a few eyebrows by shaping your own with eye shadow instead of a pencil
for a softer look. Our tip: Save some cents by using dark-brown shadow you probably
already have stashed in your makeup bag.
Turn up the heat with a smoky eye created with shimmery cream shadow or see-through
powder. Try Femme Arsenal Creme Eyeshadow in Love You Down or Stila Eyeshadow in
Twig.
Maximize the flirt factor with lush lashes. A few coats of a lengthening mascara
will do the trick. Prescriptives False Eyelashes in Plush Black (shown) is one that
just won`t quit.
Slick on a lip gloss that has "sexy" written all over it. Try Too Faced Cosmetics
Sexy Lip Gloss Calling Card.
Intensify your gaze with an eyeliner in soft brown (instead of black) that has
staying power. We like Lancome Artliner In IceCarob.
Make your lipstick last all night long by choosing a long-wearing formula and
applying it with a lip brush. One that`s always in our beauty director`s purse:
MAC Lip Brush #17.
Get your glow on with a bronzing gel. Smooth it on your cheeks, nose and forehead
for a warm, healthy glow to beat winter blahs. One we like: Becca`s Translucent
Bronzing Gel.
Accentuate your luscious lips with a bold red. Our faves: Julie Hewett long-lasting
rose-scented lipsticks in Sin Noir, Rouge Noir and Coco Noir.
Play a lip trick from Cynde Watson, director of Global Makeup Artistry for Bobbi
Brown Cosmetics: Use a lip liner after applying lipstick for a more natural look,
Top it off with gloss in the center of your bottom lip for the perfect pout.
head-turning dos and details
Dress up your mane with big tousled curls. The new look for medium to long hair
is slightly shaggy and hand-styled, with lots of texture. For additional lift, try
Prive Root Amplifier Herbal Blend #37.
Rock a short crop. There is nothing sexier or more enticing than a woman who
sports a head-hugging do with confidence.
Frame your eyes with the latest come-hither do: a sweepy bang that falls sexily
over your brows.
Embrace fresh color such as a mix of warm browns and strawberry blond that`s
sassy, sexy and chic.
Feel like a natural woman with a lock look that offers styling freedom--and what`s
sexier than freedom of choice? This technique uses yarn to create a do that`s ultratouchable.
Shine on with a hair sheen. One we love: Darphin Protective Shining Oil, which
not only delivers radiant shine but also protects against sun and saltwater damage.
Spark some interest with an ornate hairpin, barrette or ponytail holder like
these 24k gold-dipped pieces by Linda Levinson.
Transform your tresses with a tantalizing fragrance like Garren New York Fragrance
for Hair in Citrus Shimmer or a scented conditioner like Bed Head Chocolate Massive
Hair Repair treatment.
Let his fingers do the walking across your scalp with a soothing massage. We
love how Carol`s Daughter Tui Hair Oil leaves your hair smelling faintly of mango,
guava and passion fruit. Yummy!
Keep your tresses touchable and in place--with a cream that offers soft control,
Try Paul Mitchell Re-Works Versatile Texture Cream.
tantalizing body treats from head to toe
Surprise your sweetie by trying a henna tattoo in an area only he will see.
Feed your skin with a body butter that smells as rich as it feels. Our picks:
The Body Shop Mango Body Butter, Issimo Relax! Swiss Chocolate Mousse Body Butter,
Warm Spirit Heavenly Body Butter, DuWop Butter Cream Lotion and Epicurean Soap Sexy
Shea Butter.
Eyes relaxation index
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