Vision Improvement

[Fauxmage]

I have been having a heck of a time with my glasses in the past week or so. I was driving to my Dad's house yesterday, to pick up my laundry before work, and I couldn't see the dials on the dashboard very well, and I just got so frustrated I took off my glasses! I have been nearsighted since I was eleven, and have needed glasses since then. But lately, I have started to feel like I was wearing someone else's, and its been driving me nuts!

I hardly expected that I might be experiencing an improvement at this point in my life, but I could not only see the dashboard clearly, I could read street signs, highway signs, the advertising on commercial trucks in the other lanes, and even the license plates of people right in front of me. My vision is not perfect by any means. I could not take a decent photo for instance, since far away images are still quite blurry. But I could discern distinct leaf patterns in the roadside landscaping.

I can remember what it was like when I didn't need glasses. I used to sleep in my Dad's old bedroom when I stayed with my Gramma and Pa on weekends and during school vacations, and she had a pair of portraits on the wall, of a Dutch woman and her daughter, sketched in pastels. One was of them facing the viewer, and the other had them with their backs to the viewer.

I always found them frightening at night. I didn't know which one was worse, because though the face of the woman was eerie enough, on account of its sketchy quality, when they had their backs to me I couldn't figure out what they were plotting! I had quite an imagination then. I still do.

When I was older, one night I glanced over and couldn't see a thing. I thought then about how odd it was to be able to remember seeing them so clearly without aid when I was a kid. Having to wear glasses is a burden that cannot really be explained fully to people who don't need them. I can't quite describe how it felt to take my glasses off in the car yesterday and just do my work like a normal person.

I drove an eighty mile circuit yesterday, since Friday is a busy day, with two of my customers who live as far apart as I am willing to travel, and I never put my glasses on for the whole day. I am not wearing them right now, as I was having a really hard time reading the computer screen with them on anymore. I do have to sit a tad closer now, but its a great improvement over using my glasses. I decided to take a different route home, as a challenge, to see if I could read the highway exit signs well enough to find my way, and I had no trouble at all, even though it was the first time i went home that way.

I have read a bit about natural vision improvement, but I have only seen very expensive programs for sale. I did see a pair of funny glasses at the health food store, which I may go check the price of. They have opaque "lenses" full of tiny holes like a sieve, and I have read about them before.

I hope its not just a flash in the pan. Maybe following the fruit and leaftarian eating plan of Doug Graham's has helped. I know it increased my sense of smell, almost immediately after starting it, and I am not completely thrilled about that, because while I seem to have a real craving for beautiful scents, and adore the smells of the plants nearby, I also have noticed being bettern able to smell people, and they don't smell very good for the most part. I doubt that they are aware of it. I certainly never used to be, formerly. But if it goes hand in hand with being able to see better, I'll take it.

I suppose I ought to go get my prescription checked too, just to make sure it isn't all in my imagination. But I've got no insurance, and its awfully expensive.

[paul]

Hope it all works out well for you.Ive heard storys where people have worn glasses for years then they dont need them again.

[Oracl]

My brother is a veterinary ophthalmologist and he takes an interest in human eyesight as well. He told me once that nearsightedness often decreases after a certain age so that glasses are no longer needed. On the other hand, people who have had perfect sight all their lives often nead reading glasses after a certain age. I won't mention the certain age. ;) :)

[Fauxmage]

I've never heard that before!
I won't mention the certain age. ;) :)
Thank you. :whistle:

[Oracl]

:curtsey: :D

[Gliondrach]

A lot of people are supposed to have been helped by those pinhole glasses you mentioned. The Bates Method is something that is also supposed to be useful.

I think the muscles that control the lenses can get weak, especially if someone continually stares at a fixed distance, such as a computer screen or book. The muscles get used to being in that position and hold the lenses at that focus. Just like the muscles of the back can get used to being hunched over a desk and can develop into bad posture. I frequently look away from the screen to some distant object. I also mean to do an exercise where I will spend a few minutes each day looking at my finger close up and then moving my hand away slowly, keeping focussed on the finger as it moves away. And then bringing it back. But I usually forget to do so. Forget to do the exercise, not forget to bring the finger back.

[Fauxmage]

I think the muscles that control the lenses can get weak, especially if someone continually stares at a fixed distance, such as a computer screen or book. The muscles get used to being in that position and hold the lenses at that focus.
Yes, that's exactly what happened to me when I was little. Once I learned to read, it was all I wanted to do. Then Santa gave me a microscope for Christmas, and I would spend hours looking at all the tiny critters that were swimming around in drops of stagnant water. My Mom didn't care, so there was no one there to teach me to look up from time to time and focus on faraway things, so that by the time I was eleven, my eyes had been ruined.

I am going to look into those glasses. I would like to become less dependent on my prescription, as I have always felt that it prevents any improvement.

[Soynut]

My brother is a veterinary ophthalmologist and he takes an interest in human eyesight as well. He told me once that nearsightedness often decreases after a certain age so that glasses are no longer needed. On the other hand, people who have had perfect sight all their lives often nead reading glasses after a certain age. I won't mention the certain age. ;) :)

This is what my opthalmologist told me too. It's not going in a favorable direction for me, unfortunately, I now have to wear reading glasses at the age of 38 (and it feels like my sight is going downhill from here). He told me that the problem had probably been there in a younger age, but I had somehow managed to compensate and that the muscles just weakened too much as I got older.

[Gliondrach]

I think exercise is the key. Exercises for the eyes and exercise in general so that the whole body gets a good supply of blood and oxygen.

The list below doesn't mention selenium. Unless I missed it when I glanced through it. Two or three Brazil nuts should give you enough.

Nutrition and the eye

Introduction
There has been a lot of interest in the role of nutrition and nutritional supplements, such as vitamin tablets, and their effect on vision. The main focus has been on how vitamins and minerals might affect age-related eye conditions such as age-related macular-degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.

This page explores these issues and looks at the importance of good nutrition and how the eye can be affected by it.

The importance of good nutrition
Good nutrition is very important for both your general and eye health. Good nutrition helps our body to grow, repair wear and tear, protect against infection and to function properly.

An eye condition called ‘xerophthalmia’, which is a common cause of childhood blindness in developing countries, is a good example of how nutrition and eye health go hand in hand. This condition is caused by a lack of vitamin A in a person’s diet and could be prevented by eating fresh vegetables, fat (animal and plant) and protein (eg meat, eggs, cheese, fish, poultry, milk, yoghurt, dairy products, nuts, seeds, pulses and grains).

There are many books on nutrition and eating a balanced diet. This topic will only be looked at briefly here. For further information on nutrition and healthy eating contact the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF).


Nutrition for the eye
Vitamins and the eye
In various studies and clinical trials antioxidant vitamins found in certain foods have been linked with eye health. They help to maintain healthy cells and tissues in the eye.

The main focus has been on the anti-oxidant vitamins A, C and E. These vitamins can be found in many different sources of fruit and vegetables such as:

oranges
kiwis
grapefruit
dried apricots
tomatoes
peppers
raw carrots
green leafy vegetables including kale and spinach
green peas
green beans
brussel sprouts.
They can also be found in nuts, seeds, dairy products and eggs.

These are only a few of the food types in which antioxidant vitamins can be found. The British Nutrition Foundation can provide you with further information on this.

Lutein and eye health
More recently it has been suggested that two types of antioxidants, known as ‘carotenoids’, called Lutein (pronounced Loo-teen) and Zeaxanthin (pronounced Zay-a-za-thin) may also help with eye health.

Some studies have found that people who have a good diet rich in carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, have a lower risk of developing AMD.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin can be found naturally in vegetables and fruit. For example, Lutein can be found in yellow peppers, mango, bilberries, and green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, chard and broccoli.

Zeaxanthin can be found in orange sweet peppers, broccoli, corn, lettuce (not iceberg), spinach, tangerines, oranges and eggs.

Many of these overlap with food types in which vitamins A, E and C are present.

Vitamins supplements and diet
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
A large research trial, called the ‘Age-Related Eye Disease Study’ (AREDS), showed that high quantities of the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene and the minerals zinc as zinc oxide, and copper as cupric oxide, can help to slow down the progression of AMD.

It would be very hard to obtain the large quantity of vitamins used in the trial from your diet. Therefore some people who have AMD may consider supplementation with vitamins and anti-oxidants. Such high dosages of vitamins and minerals might have possible side effects on the body.

For this reason it is very important to consult your doctor first before taking a supplement.

Eye health
Following the AREDS research trial there have been over 150 smaller scale studies looking at how vitamins and minerals, both from food and in a vitamin supplement, can help eye health in general, and in particular AMD and cataracts. A number of these studies have looked specifically at the carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin which have been particularly associated with healthy eyes.

Some of these studies have shown how certain vitamin and mineral supplements can have a positive effect on eyes and sight. Others have shown there to be no or little benefit. For this reason various organisations are calling for further, larger scale research.

As a result of these studies there are now a number of different supplements for eye health on the market. There is still divided medical opinion on the use of supplements for both eye health and for preventing, or slowing down, the progression of AMD and cataracts in particular.

The general consensus of opinion is that with a good balanced diet that includes sufficient fresh fruits and vegetables there should be no need to use supplements.

However, research has shown that many people in the UK do not get enough vitamins and minerals from their diet. Some people might consider taking a supplement for their general and eye health when:

their diet does not include enough fresh fruit and vegetables
diet does not include enough vitamins and minerals
vitamins and minerals from food are not adequately absorbed by the body
it is hard to obtain or prepare fresh fruit and vegetables
they have been told to take a supplement by their doctor or nutritionist.
However, experts agree that taking supplements is not a substitute for a healthy diet.

Conclusion
Evidence regarding the benefits of nutritional supplements against eye disease is conflicting and there is no real agreement among researchers on this subject at present.

However, a consensus has been reached on the importance of a healthy, balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach.

Key points to remember:

eat a good, balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables
discuss changing your diet or taking vitamin supplements with your GP
discuss your diet or taking a vitamin supplement with your GP if you believe that your diet may be inadequate
the biggest avoidable risk is smoking
protect your eyes from sunlight. Use good quality sunglasses, ie those that have the ‘CE’ mark, which means they meet the European Union Quality Standards. Wearing a brimmed hat also offers very good protection
get your eyes tested at least every two years and more frequently if necessary.
Support organisation contact details
Royal National Institute of Blind People
105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE

Helpline: 0845 766 9999 or 020 7388 2525
(some callers may find it cheaper to call a landline, so we have detailed both 08 prefixed numbers and landline equivalents where available). Call us Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm

The RNIB Helpline can:

put you in touch with specialist advice services
send you free information and leaflets
give you details of support groups and services in your area.
British Nutrition Foundation
High Holborn House
52-54 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6RQ
Tel: 020 7404 6504
Fax: 020 7404 6747
Email: postbox at nutrition.org.uk

The British Nutrition Foundation provides information on healthy eating and nutrition via its website.


Macular Disease Society
Darwin House
13a Bridge Street
Andover
Hampshire
SP6 1BE
Tel: 0845 241 2041

RNIB page was written by:

Nita Odedra, RNIB Service Development
Anna Mitman, RNIB Eye Health Information
This page is based on a factsheet that was last updated in August 2006 and has been medically approved by Professor Usha Chakravarthy.

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13
rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_nutrition_eye.hcsp

[Soynut]

I looked up something similar when I first realized that I couldn't read properly anymore (a year ago), but this is more extensive and concrete, Thanks!:) My head is spinning right now.... where are my glasses!:D

[Gliondrach]

A bit more. But this is about AMD.


Exercise 'cuts eye disease risk'

Last Updated: Tuesday, 31 October 2006, 11:29 GMT

Regular exercise could reduce the risk of an age-related eye disease, US research has suggested.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin followed almost 4,000 men and women over 15 years, carrying out eye tests and recording levels of exercise.

They found those with an active lifestyle were 70% less likely to develop the degenerative eye disease than those with a sedentary lifestyle.

The study is published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition which causes light sensitive cells at the back of the eye to stop working.

Eye tests

It is the leading cause of severe vision loss in the over-50s in the developed world and affects central vision, needed for driving.

The study of people aged between 43 and 86 began in 1988 and they were assessed every five years.

The focus was on their exercise habits and eye health rather than being a scientific study of eye cells.

The researchers found one in four had an active lifestyle and nearly one in four climbed more than six flights of stairs a day.

After taking into account other risk factors such as weight, blood fat levels and age, active participants were 70% less likely to develop AMD than those who did little exercise.

It also showed regular walkers were 30% less likely to get the disease.

Authors of the report did warn however that diet may also explain the findings.

Barbara McLaughlan, eye health consultant for the Royal National Institute of the Blind, said the research appeared to confirm that the benefits of a healthy lifestyle extended to the eyes.

She added people should still have regular eye tests, as there is a strong genetic element to AMD making early detection as important as prevention.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6098782.stm

[Gliondrach]

Gene expression is what happens when the genetic information in a gene is used to make something that it is designed to make, such as a protein or RNA.

This study suggests that relaxation techniques can alter the way genes are expressed. As it says, stress can accelerate ageing at the cellular level. Eyes have cells. Eye muscles have cells.

Some excerpts from the study:


This study provides the first compelling evidence that the RR elicits specific gene expression changes in short-term and long-term practitioners. Our results suggest consistent and constitutive changes in gene expression resulting from RR may relate to long term physiological effects. Our study may stimulate new investigations into applying transcriptional profiling for accurately measuring RR and stress related responses in multiple disease settings.

Mind-body approaches that elicit the RR include: various forms of meditation, repetitive prayer, yoga, tai chi, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, guided imagery and Qi Gong [7]. One way that the RR can be elicited is when individuals repeat a word, sound, phrase, prayer or focus on their breathing with a disregard of intrusive everyday thoughts [2]. The non-pharmacological benefit of the RR on stress reduction and other physiological as well as pathological parameters has attracted significant interest in recent years to decipher the physiological effects of the RR. In addition to decreased oxygen consumption [8]–[10], other consistent physiologic changes observed in long-term practitioners of RR techniques include decreased carbon dioxide elimination, reduced blood pressure, heart and respiration rate [1], [2], [11], prominent low frequency heart rate oscillations [12] and alterations in cortical and subcortical brain regions [13], [14].

It is becoming increasingly clear that psychosocial stress can manifest as system-wide perturbations of cellular processes, generally increasing oxidative stress and promoting a pro-inflammatory milieu [23]–[25]. Stress associated changes in peripheral blood leukocyte expression of single genes have been identified [26]–[28]. More recently, chronic psychosocial stress has been associated with accelerated aging at the cellular level.
plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0002576

[Fauxmage]

I bought a pair of those glasses. They were only twenty bucks. I'm glad I went back today. There were at least half a dozen there on Wednesday, but today there was only one left!

Thanks for all the info Gliondrach!

[Gliondrach]

I hope the glasses help.

[Gliondrach]

Diet can help Macula Degeneration, Cataracts and Glaucoma.

Diet could reduce onset of eye disease by 20%

Liverpool, UK - 18 February 2009: University of Liverpool scientists claim that the degeneration of sight, caused by a common eye disease, could be reduced by up to 20% by increasing the amount of fruit, vegetables and nuts in the diet.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the UK, with 45% of those registered as blind suffering from the disease. The condition results in a gradual loss of central vision, due to the failure of cells in the macular – the light sensitive membrane at the centre of the retina. There is currently no cure for the more common ‘dry’ form of the disease, which is suffered by 90% of AMD patients.

Professor Ian Grierson, Head of Ophthalmology at the University, has produced a comprehensive cooking guide called ‘Fruit for Vision’, designed to add fruit and vegetables into everyday meals. The recipes will help AMD sufferers slow down the degeneration process by increasing micronutrient, vitamin and antioxidant intake in the diet. Non-sufferers can also use the book to add fruit, nuts and vegetables into each meal to protect against the disease.

Professor Grierson said: “Poor eating habits have a huge impact on health in general and the health of your eyes is no exception. Eye problems such as AMD, cataract and even glaucoma can all be affected by what we eat. But a relatively minor change in diet - adding a little more fruit into our meals - can make a profound difference and can keep eye diseases like AMD at bay for up to 20% longer.

“There are of course other risk factors related to AMD such as age, light exposure, smoking and being overweight. But if we can improve the kind of food that we eat, we could dramatically reduce the number of people who may suffer from eye diseases in the future.”

Fruit for Vision is published by Indigo Creative Marketing and the Macular Disease Society. It provides easy recipes that incorporate fruit and nuts in to the diet without having to change lifestyle. The recipes suggest minor additions to what we already eat, such as peaches with ham or ginger with melon, rather than major dietary changes.

Notes to editors:
1. AMD occurs in two forms: - ‘Wet’ AMD, which is more severe, occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow within the eye. Bleeding and leaking from these vessels can cause rapid loss of vision. It is curable if caught soon enough, although treatment is extremely expensive. Dry AMD occurs as cells within the macular begin to die, leading to a build-up of waste products in a layer of cells below the retina. There is currently no cure for Dry AMD.

2. Professor Grierson has also written a book on behalf of the International Glaucoma Association. Home Cooking with the IGA includes recipes contributed by glaucoma sufferers from across the world.

3. Fruit for Vision has now been published by Indigo Creative Marketing and the Macular Disease Society. The book, which cost £12, is available by calling the Macular Disease Society on 01264 350 551.
liv.ac.uk/news/press_releases/2009/02/Diet-could-reduce-onset-of-eye-disease.htm

[gibby]

there was a Russian optician who discovered if you follow simple eye exercises every day your eye site would get much better.
Your eyes are muscles anyway so in theory it works.

Its also the same the other way around - the more you use glasses the weaker the eyes get.

I have personally come across 3 people who dropped down prescriptions year after year when they started an organic juice diet. Possibly if you dont get enough nutrients your eyes will suffer.
I also know keeping your blood supply to the eyes is important - plenty of vit c to keep the arteries unblocked & avoid at all costs those artificial sweeteners as they cause the blood vessels to constrict

G

[Gliondrach]

Exercising the eyes makes sense. There is also the Bates Method. I don't know how effective it is but some people like it.

[LetsEat]

I love love love love love love my pin hole glasses!!! They work GREAT.

[Gliondrach]

Has your eyesight improved by using them, Ruth?

And have you noticed any changes, Fauxmage?

There was a fascinating Horizon programme on BBC2 last Wednesday. It was about anti-ageing research. At 49 minutes they started discussing the work of Ellen Langer, professor of psychology at Harvard. She conducted an experiment in 1979 in which she put men who were in their late 70s and early 80s in a former monastery. It was set up as if it was 1959. All the newspapers, magazines, radio and television programmes were from that year. They listened to music from that tme. They would have discussions about what they saw and read and talk about it as if it was happening now - such as Khruschev having talks with Eisenhower. They were encouraged in various ways to think and behave as if it was 1959 and they were 20 years younger. They had to do everything for themselves. They had been used to receiving help from carers for many years. After just one week, they all seemed to be younger. People who looked at before and after photographs of them thought the after pictures were of them when they were younger. They could walk better and faster. Their ability to do visual tests increased. Their arthritis symptoms improved. They had increased cognitive abilities. Their blood pressure was lower. And some of them had improved hearing and eyesight.

Ellen Langer in anther study found that when she tested people's eyesight with the traditional eye chart reversed - with the small letters at the top and the bigger ones at the bottom - they could read smaller letters than they could with a traditional chart. She thinks that the expectation that the letters become harder to read as you go down the chart affects the eyesight. With her chart, they see that the letters get bigger and easier to read and this 'tricks' the eyes. Actually, it will trick the mind.

She thinks expectation and belief can affect the body. I fully concur. I know about these things. :eat: The mind affects the body and the body affects the mind. They are linked to each other.

Research has shown that just thinking about lifting a weight can increase the strength of the muscles that would be exercised in lifting it.

Her new book, Counterclockwise, talks about her experiments.

[LetsEat]

yes, it has improved. I have one far sighted eye, one near sighted one. The glasses help. I wear them to read. Computor is one thing, they are harder with cuz of other light around, I guess.

Anyhow, I posted a link to some awesome suppliments I take for vision. Then I deleted it cuz it is geletin caps. I thought it was veggie geletin caps. ARE they vegan? I thought they were. Will post it here so ya'll can read it and tell me.

They have in em:

Each serving of 3 capsules contains: Beta-Carotene (as pro-Vitamin A 15 mg) 25,000 IU, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 300 mg, Vitamin E (as d-alpha Tocopheryl Succinate) 200 IU, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) 20 mg, Zinc (as L-OptiZinc Zinc-L-Methionine) 25 mg, Selenium (from L-Selenomethionine) 100 mcg, Bilberry standardized extract (Vaccinium mytillus with 25% anthocyanidins) 100 mg, Lutein (Free-Form - FloraGLO) 10 mg, Green Tea extract (Camellia sinenis with min.40% catechins) 150 mg (Contains 6 mg of Caffeine), N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 100 mg. Free of: sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, milk, egg and preservatives. Other ingredients: Gelatin (capsule), Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate and Silica.

They work a lot better than any others I have taken. You can get vision ones at the grocery store of course. But as for the herbs in them, I have only found one thing or the other, NOT the herbs AND the mainstream combinations. This is unique I have found, and works great.

[ChenLi]

I'm doing fine eye wise, although I think last test I had a tiny bit of short sigtedness in one eye.

[Gliondrach]

yes, it has improved. I have one far sighted eye, one near sighted one. The glasses help. I wear them to read. Computor is one thing, they are harder with cuz of other light around, I guess.

Anyhow, I posted a link to some awesome suppliments I take for vision. Then I deleted it cuz it is geletin caps. I thought it was veggie geletin caps. ARE they vegan? I thought they were. Will post it here so ya'll can read it and tell me.

They have in em:

Each serving of 3 capsules contains: Beta-Carotene (as pro-Vitamin A 15 mg) 25,000 IU, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 300 mg, Vitamin E (as d-alpha Tocopheryl Succinate) 200 IU, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) 20 mg, Zinc (as L-OptiZinc Zinc-L-Methionine) 25 mg, Selenium (from L-Selenomethionine) 100 mcg, Bilberry standardized extract (Vaccinium mytillus with 25% anthocyanidins) 100 mg, Lutein (Free-Form - FloraGLO) 10 mg, Green Tea extract (Camellia sinenis with min.40% catechins) 150 mg (Contains 6 mg of Caffeine), N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 100 mg. Free of: sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, milk, egg and preservatives. Other ingredients: Gelatin (capsule), Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate and Silica.

They work a lot better than any others I have taken. You can get vision ones at the grocery store of course. But as for the herbs in them, I have only found one thing or the other, NOT the herbs AND the mainstream combinations. This is unique I have found, and works great.

Solgar (don't know if they are available in the US) sell vegicap capsules for eye health:

Solgar Bilberry, Gingko, Eyebright Complex - herbal antioxidant with beta carotene, vitamins C and E, selenium and zinc (Vegan)
healthypulses.co.uk/system/index.html
------------

This has lots of info about eye health:

raysahelian.com/eyesight.html

He mentions fish oils but there are vegan sources of DHA and EPA, the ingredients in fish oils that he talks about.

[Gliondrach]

I think that anyone who wants better sight could benefit from using mental techniques. Those men in that experiment I mentioned a few posts above had improved eyesight. Hypnosis can help the condition called ichthyosiform erythroderma, which is a congenital skin condition, caused by faulty genes. Suggestion protected people, who are hypersensitive to the toxins in the laquer tree, from developing a rash when the leaves were brushed against their arm and they were told the leaves came from a harmless tree. It is a bit like poison ivy, I believe. The same people developed a rash when brushed on the other arm with harmless leaves which they thought were laquer tree leaves. Some women who had severe nausea and vomiting were cured - at least for a time - when given ipecac after being told it would help them. Ipecac actually causes nausea and vomiting. Thinking about doing an exercise can increase the strength of muscles. Some children were helped to overcome abdominal pain by imagining a symbol for the pain and then another symbol that would take the pain symbol away. It worked. All these cases are in medical journals.

If the mind can overcome the effects of genes and poisons, and can make changes at the cellular level - in the case of muscle strengthening - I'm sure it can help eyesight.

You could try some visualisation. Imagine that the cells in your lens or retina - or wherever the problem is - are being changed for healthy cells. Perhaps see little lorries bringing new cells and taking the old ones away. Or beings of some sort are working on your eyes, doing what needs to be done. This might sound a bit mad but things like this have worked.

You need to be relaxed first and then imagine in as much detail as possible, using all the senses if you can. See, hear, feel, touch, smell and taste. Use as many as possible. You have nothing to lose. At the very least, you will have a relaxing 20 minutes. And you could improve your eyesight.

[Gliondrach]

I've just found some tablets my sister sent me. I was looking for something else and found them at the back of a kitchen cupboard. Blue Berry Eyebright by New Nordic. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Two tablets contain

Blueberry extract 5:1 equal to 2,000 mg dry berries.
Eyebright extract 5:1 equal to 1,000 mg dry herb.
Marigold extract 5:1 equal to 600 mg dry herb, hereof 6 mg lutein.
Grape seed extract 25:1 equal to 1,000 mg dry seeds.

[naturalhealth]

Enzymatic Therapy is a great brand for supplements, and I love it. They do have a bilberry extract supplement in a vegetable capsule. Bilberry extract (http://www.seacoastvitamins.com/product_info.php?products_id=3355) really is fabulous for overall eye health, and especially so if you have any problems or are at risk for any future problems. It's great for improving vision and night vision, can help prevent cataracts, and can help with retinopathies and macular degeneration. It's definitely a supplement to look into if you have any eye issues. I know of many people who say it's helped them immensely.

[Gliondrach]

Yes, bilberries are good for the eyes.

[Gliondrach]

These exercises are based on the Bates' Method. There are 8 videos which show various exercises. The man teaching them is said to have been registered as blind but now has a driving licence. I have only watched the first one. I've heard of him before but don't know if his sight was really that bad. It's interesting.

SJS2LTsQde4

[ninjajane]

I've been short sighted for 25 years and my eye sight has started improving in the last few years.... my prescription is getting lower -5.50 to now -5.00... I was told I was getting long sighted as I age which is countering my short sightedness. But that doesn't explain people who wear bifocals as by that theory you can't be both... at some point I should have perfect vision and then just need reading glasses - :?

Maybe I'm just being cured :)

[Gliondrach]

Great news, Ninjajane! :rock:

I hope your eyesight continues to improve. Make sure you get lots of fresh veg. And breathe deeply a couple of times a day to get lots of oxygen into your blood.