More than 4.2 million Americans over 40 have impaired vision or are legally blind, and according to NIH-funded studies, that number is expected to double to over 8 million by 2050.
As we age, vision problems become more prevalent and are linked to reduced life expectancy and lower quality of life.
Protecting our vision and supporting eye health as we age is a top priority for many of us. This article will cover the top three age-related eye health concerns in Integrative Medicine, their causes, and natural approaches that may help maintain eye health.
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What are The Top Eye Health Concerns in Integrative Medicine?
The top eye health concerns in Integrative Medicine are age-related conditions such as glaucoma, cataract, and macular degeneration, which together are the leading causes of impaired vision and blindness in the USA.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma most often occurs when the fluid pressure in the eyes rises, increasing intraocular pressure and potentially affecting the optic nerve. This can lead to changes in vision. While glaucoma can occur with normal pressure in the eye, the two most commonly seen types of glaucoma are open-angle and closed-angle.
Open-angle glaucoma is more common. This type of glaucoma is a painless, chronic, slow-progressing condition that develops over a long period of time. Vision changes don't happen at first, and often the person only notices the vision loss once the condition is advanced.
Closed-angle glaucoma is painful and appears suddenly. It occurs when the iris is too close to the drainage angle and blocks the fluid from draining out of the eye. This condition can cause rapid vision changes. This type of glaucoma is commonly characterized by severe pain, sudden blurry vision, and other symptoms that cause a person to seek medical attention before significant nerve damage occurs.
Cataract
A cataract occurs when there's a clouding of the lens of the eye. It's the leading cause of vision impairment globally. Initially, cataracts may not cause noticeable vision changes. Over time, however, they can cause blurred or hazy vision, colors appear faded, sensitivity to light, double vision, or difficulty seeing at night. They can impact everyday activities like reading and driving.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration, also called age-related macular degeneration, impacts the macula, the central piece of the retina. The macula provides the ability to see fine details for activities such as driving and reading—macular degeneration results in changes to the central vision. Wet and dry are the two categories of macular degeneration.
Dry macular degeneration is more common, accounting for 70-90% of cases. This type progresses slowly due to thinning of the macula that occurs with aging and typically affects both eyes. Central vision gradually becomes blurred. A common early sign of dry macular degeneration is drusen, a small white or yellow lipid deposit under the retina.
Wet macular degeneration occurs from abnormal blood vessel formation under the macula, which results in fluid and blood leakage and scarring of these vessels. This affects the macula and can lead to rapid changes in central vision. A typical early symptom of wet macular degeneration is straight lines appearing wavy.
What Causes Eye Disease?
In addition to age, many factors can contribute to the development of eye diseases, genetics being among them. You may be at an increased risk for age-related eye diseases if there is a family history. Caucasians have a higher risk for macular degeneration, whereas those of African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage have a higher risk for glaucoma.
Smoking is detrimental to overall health and is associated with many diseases, including eye disease. Evidence indicates smoking is especially associated with cataracts and macular degeneration.
Long-term use of steroid medications can impact eye health. Steroid medications can increase intraocular pressure, which may increase the risk of glaucoma. While the mechanism isn't well understood for cataracts, these medications are thought to cause gene transcription changes in the epithelial cells of the lens, increasing risk. All methods of corticosteroid delivery, oral, inhalation, and topical, may increase the risk for ocular adverse effects.
Health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, poor circulation, migraines, infections, injuries, and hypothyroidism may increase the risk for age-related eye diseases.
Micronutrient deficiencies that may be associated with eye diseases include Vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium. Several micronutrients are known to be helpful for eye health, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids; however, research has yet to conclusively confirm whether deficiencies of these nutrients cause eye diseases.
A Western dietary pattern, which includes poor-quality fats, red meat, highly processed foods, sweets and desserts, and sugar-sweetened beverages, is linked to an increased risk for age-related eye diseases.
Exposure to UV radiation is linked to an increased risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce your exposure to UV radiation.
Functional Medicine Labs to Test That Can Help Individualize Support for Proper Eye Health
In addition to the evaluation by your ophthalmologist, your Functional Medicine practitioner will perform a detailed history and physical examination to identify whether factors such as genetics, smoking, steroid medication use, or other health conditions contribute to your eye health.
Basic laboratory evaluation will uncover blood sugar and insulin imbalances common in diabetes and whether infection may be contributing to eye health concerns. Functional Medicine labs can help individualize your care for optimal eye health.
Micronutrient Testing
A micronutrient panel will measure vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids to identify any nutrient deficiencies that may be contributing to eye health concerns. This information is valuable in creating an individualized, targeted plan to support and optimize eye health.
Thyroid Hormone Testing
A thyroid panel will measure thyroid hormones and antibodies to assess thyroid function and determine whether hormone imbalances may be contributing to eye health concerns.
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Functional Medicine Nutrition Support Eye Health Protocol
An anti-inflammatory diet rich in antioxidants and nutrient-dense foods can provide the whole body with the necessary nutrition to support eye health. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, and seafood provide various nutrients that may help maintain and support eye health. Studies suggest that eating three servings of vegetables and fruits daily may help support eye health.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are especially abundant in dark green leafy veggies, broccoli, peas, persimmons, and tangerines and are known to support eye health. Vitamin C, found in strawberries, green peppers, tomatoes, oranges, and grapefruit, may help maintain eye health. Vitamin E is found in nuts, wheat germ, and sweet potatoes and helps reduce free radical damage. Omega-3 fatty acids are the most abundant in fish and seafood. They support overall eye health. Zinc is found in red meat, shellfish, nuts, and seeds and may help maintain eye health.
The Mediterranean diet contains many of these foods. It includes fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats, specifically olive oil. Dairy, eggs, poultry, and red wine are also consumed in moderation. The Mediterranean diet is associated with supporting eye health.
Reducing caffeine intake may help support eye health, and avoiding foods associated with a Western diet, such as processed foods, high glycemic foods, and trans fats, is associated with better eye health.
Top Supplements That Can Support Eye Health
It's important to factor in your unique lifestyle, environmental factors, and laboratory testing results when considering what supplements are best for supporting your eye health and overall well-being. Below are some supplements that may support eye health; however, following your health practitioner's guidance is essential to ensure you're taking supplements that are right for you.
OcuForce™
OcuForce™ is a supplement containing a variety of nutrients that are known to support eye health. In addition to lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C, it contains other antioxidants such as vitamin A, quercetin, bilberry extract, and ginkgo extract.
Bilberry extract is high in anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that may help support blood vessel and collagen integrity, reducing free radicals. Ginkgo extract has antioxidant properties and may help improve blood flow to the eyes.
OcuForce™ Recommendation
Dose: 2 capsules per day with meals
Duration: Ongoing
N-Acetyl Cysteine
N-Acetyl Cysteine, or NAC, is an amino acid with antioxidant properties. It's a precursor to glutathione, one of the body's most potent antioxidants. NAC has many benefits to the body and overall health, and studies suggest it may help support the function of the cells in the eye's macula.
NAC Recommendation
Dose: 600 to 1200 mg daily
Duration: Ongoing
Magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral known to be involved in over 300 various biochemical reactions in the human body. It regulates many aspects of health, such as blood pressure, nerve and muscle function, and blood glucose levels. Magnesium supplementation may help support blood pressure and visual field changes in people with glaucoma.
The oxide and sulfate forms of magnesium are not well absorbed, making them less bioavailable to the body than other types of magnesium, like citrate and glycinate.
Magnesium Recommendation
Dose: 300 mg per day
Duration: minimum of one month
Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids have a large amount of benefits for overall health. They may help reduce inflammation, improve cardiovascular health, support brain function, and are also needed for optimal visual development and retinal function.
Omega-3 Recommendation
Dose: 2,000 mg per day
Duration: Ongoing
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin vital for many aspects of overall health. It may help reduce inflammation, support bone growth, and modulate glucose metabolism and immune function. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with eye health concerns.
Vitamin D Recommendation
A "loading dose" is usually required to increase Vitamin D to normal levels.
Loading Dose: 50,000 IU 3 times per week
Duration: 1 month
After optimal blood vitamin D levels are achieved, a maintenance dose is needed to maintain these levels.
Maintenance Dose: 800 to 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day
Duration: Ongoing
When to Retest Labs
After starting a vitamin D supplement, waiting 3 to 6 months before retesting your vitamin D levels is advised. Retesting a micronutrient panel in 3 to 6 months is also ideal for providing time for the support protocol to impact nutrient status and eye health.
Improvements in eye health, such as intraocular pressure, can be measured as early as four weeks after beginning a support protocol for glaucoma. However, the age-related eye conditions covered in this article will require ongoing adherence to a support regimen to help maintain eye health.
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Summary
Impaired vision is a growing problem. The prevalence of vision problems increases with age and is linked to decreased life expectancy and quality of life. Taking steps now to support your eye health and vision is essential.
Common age-related eye health concerns include age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataract. These eye conditions can be influenced by lifestyle factors such as smoking, UV radiation exposure, long-term steroid medication use, and a high glycemic, Western diet.
An antioxidant-rich Mediterranean diet and a targeted supplement regimen can provide the body with the nutrients needed to support, protect, and maintain optimal eye health.
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