Friday, November 28, 2008

Floaters in the Eyes

Some optometrists said that nothing can be done about floaters in the eyes. The fact is, there may be treatment and prevention through proper diet, lifestyle and supplements.

What are Floaters:

Floaters are small dark specks that appear before your eyes, floating through your field of vision. They are clumps of protein. They may look like bits, dots, squiggles, strands, spiders or any other shapes. Though annoying, floaters are harmless, and there are ways to prevent them through proper diet.

Warning: If you suddenly become aware of new spots in your vision, see your eye doctor right away to rule out serious problems.

What are the Causes:

Most floaters are the result of bits of cells that remain in the vitreous humor after birth and float around as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes become more liquid over time. Most people over the age of 40 experience this phenomenon to some extent. Over 50% of people over 70 years of age report seeing floaters. Annual dilated examination is strongly recommended . A sudden increase of floaters can be an indication of a vitreous or retinal detachment. People who have high nearsightedness and/or are diabetic in nature belongs to the high risk group in getting floaters and retinal detachment.A retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss.

Important nutrients for prevention and healing:

Bilberry improves circulation in the blood vessels of the eye, helps maintain the integrity of capillaries, stabilizes collagen, and stimulates the production of rhodopsin essential for night vision.

Lutein and zeaxanthin filter light, and serve as potent free radical scavengers for the retina.

Vitamin C helps make collagen which strengthens the capillaries that nourish the retina, protects against UV light and is a powerful antioxidant. The eye contains the second highest concentration of vitamin C in the body next to the adrenal glands.


RISK FACTORS FOR EYE FLOATERS:

  • Age over 40.
  • Nearsightedness.
  • Eye trauma.
  • Complications from cataract surgery.
  • Diabetic retinopathy.
  • Inflammation of the eye.
  • No comments: