How Lifestyle Can Impact Your Vision

Posted on: December 20, 2017 in Category: Alternative Eye Therapies

It’s easy to assume that vision loss is strictly dependent on genetics and heredity, but doctors know that the underlying causes for vision loss and even blindness go much deeper than family history. Although heredity can play a part in your vision, another contributing factor is inflammation that can be brought on by several aspects of your daily life. No one wants to lose their eyesight, and the idea of doing so can be frightening. The good news, however, is that several of these lifestyle factors are controlled by you. Proper care now may mean a smaller chance of problems later.

Diet

Diet may play the most significant part in the health of your eyes, which makes sense considering that your diet plays an essential role in your overall health. High carbohydrate and high cholesterol diets are just as dangerous to your eye health as they are to your heart health, and just like your heart, your eyes need to be cared for. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes can all lead to arteriosclerosis, a condition known to cause glaucoma (the second leading cause of blindness). These health concerns can also lead to macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65) as well as cataracts (the clouding of the eye lens). The good news is that with a proper diet, these conditions are treatable and maybe even curable.

Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption

It’s no secret that smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are detrimental to your overall health. From the damage these do to your internal organs to the damage they can do to your skin, smoking and alcohol abuse have a long list of cons. Another potential complication with these habits is eye damage. Smoking is known to increase your risk of cataracts and glaucoma, while both smoking and excessive alcohol usage can lead to macular degeneration.

Exposure to UV Rays

We’re all told to make sure that we wear plenty of sunscreen to protect our skin from the damaging rays of the sun, but UV rays can be harmful to more than just your skin. Exposure to ultraviolet rays contributes to several eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Alternative Eye Therapies

At the Sand Institute, Dr. Sand practices holistic treatments to reverse and slow the effects that aging and lifestyle have on your eyes. Dr. Sand’s three-day program will determine the underlying causes of your eye problems. During this evaluation, both your lifestyle and medical history will be considered, and your participation in a series of eye tests will help match you with your ideal treatment plan. These non-invasive alternative therapies include:

• Diet control to reduce the effects that obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease has on your overall health, including your eyes
• Microcurrent stimulation to increase blood circulation to the eye while stimulating retinal cells and reducing scar tissue
• Vitamin therapy to ensure your eyes are getting their proper care and nutrients
• Stem cell therapy to try and regrow damaged tissue