MAILBAG: Protect Your Peepers Inside AND Out

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted June 27, 2023

“Best ways to protect my vision?”

– Greg, from Clearwater, FL

Hi Greg,

There are two paths to protecting vision. One starts from the outside and the other from the inside. But for the best eye protection, we should pursue BOTH.

The most obvious place to start is on the OUTSIDE with sunglasses. Lots of folks wear them. But many make mistakes when picking a pair.

Cheap sunglasses are a double whammy for vision health. They increase damage to the eye by opening the iris (the part of the eye that lets light in) and allowing more damaging light into the back of the eye (macula).

This isn’t a place to pinch your pennies. Save the bargain shopping for something else like airplane tickets. Good, quality sunglasses prevent us from overexposing our eyes to ultraviolet rays. Look for ones that block out 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation.

To protect your vision from the INSIDE, you’ll want to start with something that surprises many folks. And that’s making sure you balance your blood sugar.

You see, unhealthy blood sugar levels increase the production of advanced glycation end-products or AGEs (a fancy word for misshapen proteins caused by sugar). These toxic AGEs are linked to various vision-harming diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

Don’t stop with getting your glucose under control. A diet rich in vitamins D, C, and E and the mineral zinc are also great for eyesight.

But there are several other vision-supporting supplements to consider as well.

• Vitamin A is crucial for vision health. It’s an essential component of rhodopsin, a protein that absorbs light in the retina. Plus, the vitamin is vital for maintaining the health of the cornea and conjunctival membranes.
• Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, contain eyesight-friendly DHA. Fifty percent of the photoreceptors in the retina are made up of DHA. I typically suggest supplementing with one to three grams of fish oil daily.
• Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids found in colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as in supplements. They help the macula determine color vision. I typically recommend 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin.
• Berries contain many powerful antioxidant compounds and are high in essential vitamins and flavonoids that your eyes need. Studies show blueberries, bilberries, and Maqui berries support night vision. Eat fresh berries when you can get them and consider berry supplements when you can’t.

Get started TODAY on protecting your peepers, and you will be rewarded with eagle-eyed vision for many more years to come.

P.S. Most doctors offer zero advice about how to put the brakes on age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). But if you’ve been told you have this disease, it takes just one small step to significantly slow its progression. CLICK HERE to discover what your doc failed to tell you.

Source:

“Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS): design implications. AREDS report no. 1. Control Clin Trials.” 1999 Dec;20(6):573-600. doi: 10.1016/s0197-2456(99)00031-8. PMID: 10588299; PMCID: PMC1473211.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND