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What's Good for the Body is Good
for the Eyes Too
Mark A.
Sibley, M.D., F.A.C.S.
I see dozens of 40 years olds in my
eye surgery practice every week. Half of them are interested in
having LASIK to throw away their glasses. The other half are
desperately seeking any miracle cure to stop their aging parents
from going blind.
The over 60-year-old parents are
losing the ability to read, drive or enjoy watching TV. The grown
children desperately want me to slow down and prevent the
progression of further vision loss in their parents. Actually,
they are seeking a "cure" for their parents' problem that is
robbing them of their vision and independence.
Almost always my exam confirms that
the parents have the start of central vision loss caused by
macular degeneration from aging deterioration.
The treatment for these aging parents
is almost too late. It should have started when they were 40, like
the adult children who now drive them to my appointments.
Actually, it should be a life-long process and be as easy as
1-2-3!As mom always said, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure!" Let me give everyone the three "secrets" to preventing
blindness.1. The first step involves taking antioxidants. Vitamin
C, E, beta-carotene and the nutritional supplements of zinc,
selenium and manganese minerals may help. Diets rich in
antioxidants, especially vegetables and fruits, will protect the
eyes from forming macular degeneration. This will also benefit the
body with excellent mineral and vitamin intake including lutein
and the B vitamins. Any reader who starts on the road to a more
healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits and food rich in
antioxidants may be preventing blindness.2. Scientific evidence
has proven that sunlight with ultraviolet "sunburn" rays is
harmful and accelerates macular degeneration and cataracts.
Everyone in the Sunshine State, especially on the Suncoast, should
wear sunglasses as sunscreen for your eyes. The sunglasses should
block 100 percent of UVB ("B" is bad). The lens color, darkness,
polarizing and cost all unrelated factors.3. Maintain a healthy
lifestyle. If you can eliminate risk factors that accelerate
macular degeneration you can help prevent blindness. Smoking and
alcohol consumption accelerate macular degeneration and blindness.
Of course, standard recommendations would be to get exercise,
eight hours of sleep and regular eye exams.
It seems mother was right. She always
said, "Eat your vegetables. Go outside and play. Get plenty of
sleep."
I know that this may seem simplistic
and that not all minerals and vitamins in all circumstances are
benign. I know that this three-step program may not always slow or
prevent the progression of macular degeneration, but it will help.
There are almost 2 million Americans with macular degeneration
from aging, and the three steps I have recommended will try to
prevent it from becoming 2 million and 1 patients.
So, sometimes preventing blindness
depends on what you eat, how much you sleep, if you smoke, what
you drink and other lifestyle actions. People often forget that
the eye is connected to the rest of the body, and that they are
their own guardian of their long-term vision needs.
For more information
www.floridaeyecenter.com or call Florida Eye Center at
727-895-2020. Dr. Sibley has over 20 years of experience in the
ever-evolving field of ophthalmology. He is a board-certified
ophthalmologist, F.A.C.S., and he is highly trained to perform the
advanced operations offered by the Florida Eye Center. He is
medical advisor to the Society to Prevent Blindness and to the
American Diabetes Association, and is team ophthalmologist for the
Devil Rays. Send Dr. Sibley an email:
DrSibley@FloridaEyeCenter.com
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