Sight Defenders: Bilberry and Lutein for Great Eye Care in Boulder

Although neither of them appears with a cape or a mask, both Bilberry and Lutein are major sight defenders. They are not faster than a speeding bullet or able to leap tall buildings with a single bound, but they can quickly restore one’s vision to near normalcy when macular degeneration begins to creep in.

The Benefits of Lutein

When it comes to eye care Boulder, lutein is a major sight defender. Lutein (pronounced LOO-teen) is a pigment that is one of the over 600 known carotenoids occurring in nature. Lutein is in egg yolks, corn, spinach, broccoli, kale, turnip greens, collards, lettuce, okra, and carrots.

It can also be found in eye tissues such as the retina’s pigment and parts of the lens. Lutein appears to have a role in slowing age-related degeneration of these tissues. Research indicates that there is a direct correlation between lutein ingestion and eye pigmentation. Furthermore, lutein may absorb blue light and cause a 90 percent reduction in blue light intensity.

Supplementation with lutein helps when:

●     Allergies to lutein-rich foods preclude a person’s being able to eat sufficient amounts of it

●     Illness, age, or genetic predisposition cause a person’s digestive system to be functioning sub-optimally

●     People consume foods grown in poor soil that is pesticide-laden and chemically fertilized, as these foods are nutrient-depleted.

Lutein has become popular as a supplement either alone or in combination with bilberry and zeaxanthin for daily eye support and for the improvement and prevention of visual problems such as macular degeneration. Humans eat about 1 to 3 mg of lutein per day.

Benefits of Bilberry

Bilberry is another antioxidant that is very helpful for eye care. It is known by many names: fraughan, myrtle blueberry, whortleberry, whinberry, blueberry, and winberry. It grows as a shrub in temperate climates and produces a fruit that can be eaten fresh or used in preserves or desserts. There is also a drink that is made from it: bilberry liqueur. In addition to helping with eye care, the leaves from bilberry are also used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, typhoid fever, and kidney stones.

The anthocyanosides in bilberry have been demonstrated to strengthen blood vessels and the walls of capillaries, improve the flexibility of red blood cells allowing them to better deliver oxygen, and cause a stabilization in collagen tissues such as tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. These anthocyanosides also lower cholesterol. 

Within the eyes, the anthocyanosides in bilberry increase pigments of the retina, which allows light to be more tolerable to the eye. It is thought that the ability of bilberry to improve eyesight and night vision is due to the fact that there is a high concentration of capillaries in the eye that can receive more oxygen and other nutrients thanks to the increased flexibility of the red blood cells and the vasodilating (opening) effect of bilberry on the capillaries.

Bilberry, Lutein and Zeaxanthin: the Triple Threat for Eye Care in Boulder

Bilberry and lutein together make the perfect caped defenders of one’s eyesight. They work even better when they are joined by zeaxanthin. This threesome is a great additive to a regimen of eye care in Boulder.

10 Times an Eye Care Exam Is Needed

For both new residents to the Colorado area and those who are looking to change vision providers, it’s important to understand the necessity and complexity of eye care boulder. Because this area is at high elevation and has on average 245 sunny days out of the year, proper eye care is essential. Fully understanding when it’s important to receive an eye exam is beneficial for both short- and long-term health and happiness.

Receiving Proper Eye Care in Boulder Is Easy According to the American Optometric Association, there are specific guidelines to aim for when deciding to schedule an eye exam. Stay on top of eye care in Boulder by scheduling these 10 necessary appointments. There are three suggestions for children under 18 and seven recommendations for adults. 1. Children should receive an eye exam at six months of age. This early exam can be especially helpful at screening for developmental delays, familial eye diseases, and turned, or crossed, eyes. 2. Children should receive a second exam before age three. This exam prepares children before they enter preschool, ensuring that their eyesight is clear and that their vision skills are developing on track. 3. After school age, low-risk or asymptomatic children should receive an exam every two years, unless a doctor specifically recommends more frequent exams.

Adults should have an eye exam every two years after age 18. Regular eye exams allow doctors to monitor for degenerative diseases, but it’s recommended that adults have these seven additional eye exams. 1. When working a job with potential eye hazards, such as construction or demolition, or when working with chemicals. Whether eye protection is worn regularly or not, an eye exam should be scheduled at least once a year when working in a high vision-risk job or a position with significant eye strain. 2. After developing diabetes or high blood pressure. Heart health isn’t the only thing to be concerned about when diagnosed with these diseases—regular vision exams can help prevent or stop degeneration. 3. Before eye surgery. For a comprehensive understanding of eye health needs, most doctors will schedule an extensive exam before surgery. 4. After an eye injury. Even after healing an eye injury, it’s important to have a doctor take a closer look to check for permanent damage or treat current issues.

5. When taking medicine that could affect eye health or pose a risk to vision. It doesn’t matter whether the medication is over the counter or prescription; it’s important to have an eye doctor conduct vision exams when taking any medication that has eye-related side effects.

6. Any adult who wears contact lenses should have annual eye exams. Although helpful for both vision and aesthetics, contact lenses can also reshape the corneas, causing rubbing and pain. Routine exams can locate and eliminate problems before they start or before they become too complicated to handle through non-invasive methods. 7. When genetics indicate a history of eye diseases. Illnesses like glaucoma and macular degeneration can be caught early if adults, especially those over age 60, receive regular eye exams.

How Dry and Wet Macular Generation Differ

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a disorder that slowly destroys central vision, making it hard to read or see small details.  It is most commonly linked to patients older than 60. There are two kinds, dry and wet.   An important part of eye care Boulder is checking at-risk patients for signs of either type.

AMD develops in the retina, a structure at the back of the eye that translates images and light into signals that reach the brain.  The portion of the retina known as the macula provides sharp, detailed vision.  Damage to blood vessels that support the macula causes harm to that structure and compromises vision.

Dry AMD

Of AMD sufferers, 90 percent have the dry type.  As it develops, the macula’s layers continue to thin.  They become less effective, a condition called atrophy. 

In the early stages, an eye doctor can see changes in the color of the macula.  Drusen, which are small piles of waste from eye cells, collect on the retina.  They can cause it to atrophy.  Almost everybody who is older than 50 has some drusen. 

Dry AMD does not progress beyond discoloration of pigment.  This form gets its name from the fact that it involves no leakage of fluid from blood vessels in the eye.  Almost all AMD patients initially have the dry form.

Blurred vision is the most common sign.  Eventually, a spot in the middle of the visual field appears darker and bigger.  Anything in the central field of vision might look dim or faded.  Treatment includes a combination of antioxidants, specific vitamins, and zinc.

Wet AMD

One of every 10 cases of AMD is the wet form.  The wet AMD name refers to the fact that blood vessels leak.  Wet AMD occurs when new blood vessels form in the choroid layer, behind the retina.  This development is called choroidal neovascularization.

The new vessels leak blood, other fluids, and lipids.  As the leakage permeates the macula and other layers of the retina, scar tissue forms.  Retinal cells no longer function. 

Sufferers note that straight lines look wavy and distorted.  Central vision loss can be quick.

Among treatments for wet AMD are laser surgery to destroy leaking vessels and painless eye injections of medication to stop the formation of new blood vessels.  Photodynamic therapy uses a light to activate an injected drug designed to destroy leaking vessels.

The Basics of Eye Care to Maintain Strong Vision

Vision specialists love to meet patients who feel invested in their eye health, so anyone seeking eye care Boulder is welcome to do their homework before making their first appointment so they can ask plenty of questions. Professional ophthalmology staff workers will do everything they can to answer questions to help patients feel comfortable with their chosen eye care provider. Many vision practices will even offer an educational guide, whether in print, online or both, to make sure their patients always have easy access to a reference guide.

Questions might range from administrative concerns, such as payment options and scheduling issues to various eye conditions, but each question is important, and eye care professionals know how important it is to engage their patients to make sure they keep appointments to maintain good eye health.

What Are Some of the Basics of Eye Care That Patients Can Focus on to Maintain Strong Vision?

Everything from administrative matters to specific eye diseases are important concerns for patients committed to taking good care of their vision. It may seem like a lot of information, but once patients talk to their vision specialists and their staff, as well as reading the appropriate literature, they will feel confident in proceeding with appointments, prescriptions and any necessary treatments. Vision care patients might consider noting some of the following items to help them become acquainted with what it takes to keep their eyesight in good condition.

• Placing Vision Specialists' Vital Information in Their Calendar. Whether patients have adopted electronic scheduling practices, or they still use a bound paper planner, it is important to keep their vision specialist's vital information, in case of emergencies or the need to cancel an appointment. Keeping this information is especially important for patients who undergo complex procedures that require follow-up, so they never have to worry about finding help if they feel that something is wrong.

• Making a List of Symptoms. For new eye care patients, it is important to do some self-assessment before visiting their eye doctor to help their ophthalmologist make the quickest and most accurate diagnosis possible. Patients should note any issues they have, such as blurred vision or problems driving at night.

• Asking Questions About Eye Protection. Perhaps patients are visiting for a check-up to make sure they keep healthy vision. If so, they might ask their vision specialist about different ways to protect their healthy eyesight. Everything from the sun's UV rays to a sudden change in diet might prove dangerous, and a vision specialist can help patients assess the risk.

Tips for Avoiding Digital Eye Strain

People who work at a computer for extended periods of time run the risk of suffering from eye strain. By following a few guidelines, computer users can avoid digital eye strain problems. Here are a few tips to help people get started.

Start with an Eye Exam

People who are wise will take steps to care for their vision. Proper eye care Boulder begins with scheduling regular eye exams. Through routine exams, doctors can keep tabs on a person’s eye health and alert them to problems early so they can get proper treatment. Early treatment can help prevent major problems later on.

Adjust Lighting

Bright lights reflecting off a computer screen can irritate the eyes. Closing curtains and blinds and using lower intensity light bulbs can help bring ambient light to a more appropriate level for computer use. Positioning a computer on the side of a window reduces reflection from outside lighting that can irritate the eyes.

Some people experience eye strain when using overhead fluorescent tube lighting during work hours due to excessive brightness. Floor lamps or full spectrum fluorescent lights may resolve the problem. Reducing outside lighting can minimize glare that can put a strain on the eyes. Eye glass users should consider investing in anti-reflective lenses to eliminate problems with glare.

Adjust PC Display Settings

Computer users can minimize problems with eye strain by adjusting the brightness and text size on their screen. The brightness on a computer screen should be similar to that of the surrounding lighting. Text should be large enough for people to see comfortably without straining their eyes. This may vary from person to person. Some people prefer a larger text when reading or typing for longer periods of time.

Take Breaks to Rest or Exercise Eyes

Taking frequent breaks from the computer will reduce the risk of eye discomfort and fatigue. It’s recommended that computer users take half a dozen 5-minute breaks throughout the day as opposed to only two long breaks. Frequent breaks will reduce the strain of focusing on one spot and help people stay awake and alert longer. Greater alertness can improve productivity.

Computer users should get in the habit of blinking often to keep the eyes well lubricated. It’s also good to exercise the eyes regularly to avoid eye fatigue from staring at a computer screen.

Proper eye care is the key to reducing eye problems and retaining good vision.

Top 4 Considerations for Caring for New Eyeglasses

Seeing an eye doctor regularly should be a part of everybody's eye care Boulder area. With regular eye exams, it is possible to detect possible problems with one's eyes, including deterioration of eyesight. For those who have recently been told they need a prescription lens, eyeglasses may be an ideal solution. However, those who are new to wearing eyeglasses must know how to care for the appropriately.

Invest in a Hard-Shell Case

Often times, eyeglasses can easily cost a couple hundred dollars per pair, but those buying glasses should also be sure to set aside some money for an eyeglass case for each pair. Sometimes, eye doctors will give glasses to patients in a soft-shell case, but these aren't meant to be a long-term storage solution. Only a hard-shell case will adequately protect against accidental crushing and other damage.

Clean With a Microfiber Cloth

Every so often, it will be necessary to wipe down one's eyeglass lenses as a means of removing dust and debris that has caked on over time. When wiping down lenses, however, it is always important to use a lens that is specifically designed for use on these lenses. Specifically, a microfiber cloth should be used, as these will not scratch the surface of the lenses. Other cloths, including paper towel and even tissue, should be avoided here.

Set Down Lens-Side Up

When not in use, eyeglasses should really be placed in their case. However, for those times when the case isn't readily available, eyeglasses should always be placed with their lenses facing up, not down. Setting glasses down with the lenses face-down will inevitably lead to scratches and other damage that could compromise one's ability to see well.

Use the Right Cleaner

Finally, those with eyeglasses should always be sure to use the right cleaner. There are specific cleaners available that are designed for use on eyeglass lenses. Therefore, it is never a good idea to use just any chemical cleaner, as certain chemicals can have a bad reaction to the lenses and cause permanent damage. Eyeglass cleaner is available at most grocery stores and at any eye doctor's office.

These are just a few important considerations to keep in mind when it comes to caring for one's new eyeglasses. From there, a pair of glasses can last for as long as one's prescription does!

The Basics of Maintaining Good Eye Health

Many people rarely give much thought to their vision until they begin to experience problems with their eyes. This is unfortunate, because there are some eye conditions that can be circumvented with proper eye care Boulder. For instance, wearing sunglasses with UV protection while outdoors may be instrumental in preventing the development of cataracts and certain other vision conditions such as macular degeneration. Those who play sports should also be careful to protect their eyes with gear such as goggles that were designed for that purpose. 

Indoors, air conditioners and furnaces can create dry atmospheric conditions that can dry out the eyes, so it is important to have a humidifier to keep this from happening. Lubricating eye drops may also help prevent eyes from becoming irritated due to lack of moisture.

Those who wish to maintain optimal eye health should schedule comprehensive eye exams on a regular basis. Certain common eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration can only be detected by a dilated eye exam. Catching these conditions early can help stop them from seriously impairing the patient's vision. People who have diabetes should also have their vision checked often so that diabetic eye disease can be caught and treated while it is still in the early stages.

Patients should also make a point of knowing the eye health history of their families because many eye diseases and conditions are hereditary. This will ensure that the eye care professional knows what to watch out for in order to be able to accurately treat developing symptoms.

Consuming the right type of foods can also have a significant impact on eye health. Carrots and other food rich in beta carotene have long been considered excellent foods for those interested in maintaining healthy eyes. Other great foods for eye healthy include kale, spinach, and mustard or collar greens. Foods that contain substantial amounts of omega 3 acids are also considered by eye care professionals to be excellent dietary choices for those trying to maintain healthy eyes.

Being overweight may also increase chances of developing certain eye conditions such as diabetic eye disease and glaucoma, so those with a family history of these ailments should discuss the situation with their physician and work out a plan to maintain a healthy weight level. Above all, people should make certain that they visit their eye doctor regularly.