17 May What are the most common eye diseases?
Our eyes, as our most important sensory organs, convey most of the information about our environment. If our vision is reduced or destroyed by an eye disease, the quality of life is considerably impaired.
Eye diseases can have different causes, e.g. hereditary factors, metabolic disorders, injuries and diseases. However, they can also occur due to age.
The course of eye diseases is often gradual. If the disease is detected early, there is usually a very good chance of recovery. That is why it is advisable to have your eyes checked regularly by an ophthalmologist.
In the following, you will find important information on the most common eye diseases and tips on what you can do to prevent their progression.
Glaucoma / Green Star
Causes of glaucoma
The physical cause of glaucomais a blockage in the Schlemm’s canal, which opens and closes every four hours, allowing a fluid called aqueous humour to flow in and out of the space between your cornea and the vitreous humour or anterior chamber of your eye. Until now, glaucoma was thought to be caused by a condition that ophthalmologists call intraocular pressure. Your intraocular pressure, like blood pressure, can change with your weight and state of relaxation or tension.
The basic problem with glaucoma is caused by a lack of drainage of the intraocular fluid in the eye or a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve.
Glaucoma is often associated with stress. A long, persistent imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, i.e. tension and relaxation, can lead to glaucoma. Besides stress, there are many other factors that can lead to an increase in intraocular pressure. These include thyroid disease, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
What can be done about glaucoma?
All medications currently prescribed for glaucoma affect the body’s adrenaline levels.
Medication (usually eye drops) should be used to bring glaucoma under control quickly.
Then you should take all the necessary steps to find out what alternative therapies are needed in the long term. Glaucoma responds well to all techniques that help relaxation, circulation and mobility of the eyes. From an energy point of view, it can be said that the flow of energy in the eyes is impaired. Short-sighted people have a similar problem. In fact, myopia has a 60 percent chance of developing glaucoma.
As your eyes reflect your overall health, they are also affected by your dietary habits and nutrient intake. In recent years, it has become common to take supplements as needed to stay in good health.
These nutrients and any foods that contain them can be helpful for glaucoma:
- Vitamins: A, B, C, D and E
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Lutein, zeaxanthin and rutin
Did you know that linseed oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
In any case, it makes sense to work with your ophthalmologist to find a suitable way for you to treat this disease and, in the best case, to stop it from progressing.
Our programme does not offer training for eye diseases. There are relaxation exercises that can be helpful, but these do not replace treatment by a doctor.
One very simple relaxation exercise is palming:
“Palming” or “covering the eyes” is the classic exercise for relaxing the eyes according to Dr. William Bates. The exercise should be performed with concentration and as relaxed as possible.
Perform the exercise as follows:
- First rub your hands together to warm them up.
- Then place the fingers of one hand over the fingers of the other hand at a 90-degree angle.
- Now place your hands over your eyes so that you cannot see anything.
- Your palms should not touch your eyes and your shoulders should be relaxed.
To enhance the relaxing effect, breathe in and out as slowly as possible, imagining the colour black.
When your eyes are completely relaxed, you will perceive a deep blackness. If, however, you perceive grey shadows or glimmers of light, you still have tension in your visual system.
This exercise can be repeated as needed. Ideally, you should do the exercise until you perceive a deep, complete blackness. We recommend doing the exercise several times a day for one to three minutes or longer.
In our Online Visiontraining, we offer further relaxation exercises and exercises for various visual impairments.
MACULAR DEGENERATION
Causes for the development of macular degeneration
Currently, there are three theories about the main causes of macular degeneration:
- Oxidative stress
is a mechanism that can lead to the uptake and excretion of indigestible, lipid-rich debris by the retinal pigment epithelium. This oxidative stress can be triggered by various processes that generate free radicals.
- Deficiency of blood flow in the choreo capillaries
- Degeneration of Bruch’s membrane
With age, Bruch’s membrane thickens and abnormal collagen formation and calcification of this membrane has been observed.
The disease can also be caused by free radicals released by smoking and chronic fatigue.
What can be done about macular degeneration?
A study by the National Eye Institute found that dietary changes and the use of supplements and vitamins can, in many cases, delay or even stop the loss of vision caused by macular degeneration.
The following nutrients and any foods that contain them can be helpful for macular degeneration:
- Beta-carotene (vitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E
- Magnesium, selenium, chromium, zinc, taurine, lutein
- Blueberry & ginkgo biloba extract, garlic
- Essential fatty acids (e.g. from linseed oil), fish oil DHA
The dosage should be adjusted with the doctor.
Our programme does not provide further information or exercises on eye conditions. Our videos guide you to perform eye exercises that can improve common vision problems such as myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia and eye coordination problems. These can also be practised despite an existing eye disease.
The comprehensive portal also contains relaxation exercises that are suitable for every eye.
Cataract
Causes for the development of cataracts
When the lens of the eye loses its transparency and opacities increase, it is called a cataract.
Cataracts are caused by a variety of damaging environmental factors (free radicals). Eye injuries can lead to cataracts at any age. A hard blow, a stab, a cut, intense heat exposure or chemical burns can damage the lens, which is called a traumatic cataract. But infections, certain medications or diseases like diabetes can also cause lens clouding and thus a secondary cataract.
Medications for gout, cholesterol-lowering drugs, antibiotics and diuretics are commonly prescribed drugs. At least two hundred prescription drugs are known to promote or cause cataracts. Smoking can also contribute to the development of lens opacities.
What can be done about cataracts?
According to conventional medicine, a slight clouding of the lens of the eye is one of the normal signs of ageing. But you don’t have to accept the development of a cataract as fate. There are ways to prevent it.
What applies to the rest of the body also applies to the eyes!
How quickly and severely lens opacity progresses can be influenced by a few factors that are within your control.
These include, above all, abstaining from nicotine, a healthy and balanced diet as well as regular exercise and avoiding excess weight.
A healthy lifestyle can help delay the development of cataracts.
Recent studies prove that a healthy diet has a huge impact on the timing of the clouding of the lens of the eye.
Leo Angart’s TIPS for cataracts:
Avoid cooked dairy products, saturated fats and all fats and oils that have been heated, whether by cooking or processing. Such foods promote the formation of free radicals, which should generally be avoided. It is best to use only cold-pressed vegetable oils. Also avoid antihistamines and limit your sugar consumption as much as possible.
Recommended dietary supplements for cataracts include:
- Vitamins A, B, C and E
- Minerals, trace elements, amino acids and polyphenols (plant substances): Magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, L-cystine, quercetin and superoxide dismutase.
- Besides: Glutathione spray
The dosage should be adjusted with your doctor.
The following simple exercise relaxes your eyes and can have a positive effect on cataracts: palming