Macular Degeneration

Overview

Macular degeneration is deterioration in the central part of the retina, referred to as the macula. It causes a lack of sharp vision, meaning the inability to observe things in a defined manner. Among people 55 years and older in both the United States and in Europe, macular degeneration is the number one reason for impaired vision.

Types of Macular Degeneration

There are two main types of macular degeneration—dry (atrophic) and wet (neovascular). Dry macular degeneration accounts for more than 80% of all cases, and is characterized by the buildup of waste debris beneath the retina.

Damp, or neovascular degeneration is so named because the cause is irregular blood vessel growth beneath the retina which can cause leaks that scar the macula.

Symptoms of Macular Deterioration

The primary symptoms of macular deterioration are blurry vision, dark spots covering focus points, and distorted vision. This is also true when looking at objects up close, or when doing detail work, such as reading, writing, knitting, or sewing. Terms on a page, for example, might appear bent or wavy, and in some cases it can be impossible to perform tasks due to the symptoms listed above. Symptoms of macular degeneration begin in the center of eyesight. Over time, they are able to spread to periphery vision as well.

Causes of Macular Degeneration

Although macular deterioration is often regarded as a natural result of aging, there is nothing organic about it. Instead, it is most often caused by poor diet and nutritional deficiencies, reduced digestive function, environmental toxins, smoking, exposure to second hand smoke, and regular contact with ultraviolet light. Heavy metal poisoning should also be considered as a possible cause for macular degeneration. Many of these factors result in free radical damage and impaired circulation, both of which pose serious threats to the overall health of the eye.

Macular degeneration can also occur as a result of pre-existent health conditions, including arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure. Using pharmaceutical drugs can also trigger macular deterioration, as well as other types of vision problems. These include antidepressants, antihistamines, blood pressure medication, diuretics, oral contraceptives, steroids, chlorpromazine, digoxin, ethambutol, gold (used to treat joint disease and lupus), haloperidol, hydroxychloroquine sulfate, and tetracycline.

Natural Cures

Aromatherapy: The following essential oils will help relieve stress and tension, which can contribute to or exacerbate macular degeneration: bergamot, jasmine, lavender, rose, sandlewood, and ylang ylang.

Ayurveda: According to Ayurvedic theory, the majority of vision difficulties are due to digestive problems. Regularly exercise the eyes and use the herbs amla, licorice, and triphala, with a diet rich in organic whole foods and antioxidant rich vegetables such as carrots and spinach.

Color Treatment: This method of healing has been used since the days of ancient Egypt. It calls for the use of specific colors to either relax or stimulate the eye balls and encircling muscles, arteries, and lymph glands. Magenta light emitted from a magenta screen positioned over a lamp helps to stimulate the entire macular region of the eyes, while blue-green light helps to stimulate the flow of lymph liquid within the eyes to enhance the removal of cellular particles. Green-yellow gentle light can also be used to enhance overall visible acuity, and it is helpful for night blindness.

Diet: Stress a diet of natural, whole foods, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Antioxidant rich vegetables help stimulate the immune system to fight changes in the eye. Examples of these types of vegetables include, bell peppers, celery, parsley, spinach, tomatoes, yellow squash, and dark-green leafy vegetables, such as chard, collards and kale. Fresh fruit high in antioxidants include dark rich-colored berries, purple and red grapes, plums, cherries, mangos, melons and citrus fruits. Organic egg yolks are also recommended because they are rich in carotenoids, an essential antioxidants. It is best to eat soft, rather than hard cooked egg yolks to preserve the heat sensitive useful carotenoids. Gently boiled, poached, sunny side up, or even raw eggs are best.

Raw eggs may be eaten when they come from a trusted organic source and are washed prior to cracking. Salmonella travels on the shell of the egg and makes its way into the egg from the outside, therefore washing eggs with warm sudsy water minimizes the risk of infection.

Avoid just about all processed and fried foods, sugars and sugar products, simple carbohydrates, alcohol, and unhealthy hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated natural oils. Dairy products should be consumed moderately, and ideally only in the raw or organic form. Avoid conventional animal fats and overcooked/grilled meats. In addition, get tested for food allergies and avoid those foods for which you test positive.

Also, be sure to drink plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day to help flush out gathered debris in the eye drainage channels. Proper hydration is essential for sustaining the flexibility of the eye’s lenses. Fresh raw green juices are also an important add-on to one`s daily diet. See the recipe section for green juice suggestions.

Eye Exercises: The following eye exercises are useful for preventing and curing most vision difficulties.

Rest your eyes for 5 minutes every 30-60 minutes, relaxing your gaze and staring into space.

Blink your eyes regularly. This particular reduces eyestrain.

Take regular breaks during the day to breathe deeply for a few minutes, in conjunction with neck and shoulder extending. This helps to ensure your eye muscles receive adequate amounts of air.

To further decrease facial pressure, yawn in an exaggerated style. Doing so helps you to stretch and relax facial muscles.

Cover your eyes with you palms for 5 minutes and inhale deeply. Do this every 1-2 hours.

Spend 20-30 minutes each day rapidly switching your concentrate from near to far. A good way to do this is to hold your hand six to eight inches from your eyes. Focus on this for a moment, and then concentrate on an object in the distance. Keep changing your focus from near to far. This is an excellent exercise for stimulating the eye muscles.

Move your eyes completely up and down in a full round motion for 5 minutes, 3-5 times each day.

Pin a piece of paper with writing on the wall and view from 2 feet away (or closer if you need to). Each day, move further away from the paper. With regular practice, you will be able to read the paper from across the room. If you’re nearsighted, reverse this process, starting as far away from the sheet of paper as you need to be, then slowly moving closer each day till you are able to see clearly when standing just a few inches away.

Flower Essences: To help cope with unresolved mental or psychological factors that can contribute to macular degeneration, the following treatments can be helpful: Aspen—to ease general fears, Clematis—if you often avoid your problems by “living in a dream world”, Honeysuckle—for those who avoid the challenges of present day by becoming nostalgic for the past, and Save Remedy—for instances of acute macular degeneration.

Herbs: The following herbs are very helpful for preventing and slowing the progression of macular degeneration: Bilberry, curcumin, gentian root, grape seed extract, ginkgo biloba, and pine bark extract (pycnogenol). Juice Treatment: Drink 16 oz. of carrot juice with fresh squeezed celery, cucumber, parsley, and green spinach in 2 divided doses (8 oz. per serving) each day.

Lifestyle: Avoid eyestrain by not watching television or movies in the dark, or reading or working at a computer for long periods of time. Additionally, avoid contact with secondhand smoke and, if you smoke, stop. When outdoors on sunny days, wear sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

To help heal and prevent macular degeneration, frequently engage in moderate aerobic exercises such as jogging, speed walking, and jumping on a small trampoline.

Micro-Current Therapy: Micro-Current Therapy is recommended by Grace Halloran, Ph.D., founder of the Integrated Visible Healing Center, in San Leandro, Ca. The therapy performed here administers micro-currents along ocular meridians to stimulate the eye muscles and improve blood circulation in the eyes surrounding blood vessels. Micro-Current Therapy is not unpleasant and can be self-administered following proper training, using products such as the MicroStim.

Nutritional Supplementation: Useful nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, alpha-lipoic acid, beta-carotene, betaine hydrochloride, chromium, digestive nutrients, flavonoids, lutein, magnesium, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), riboflavin, rutin, selenium, taurine, zeaxthanin, and zinc oxide. DHA or even omega-3 oils, such as omega-3 fatty acids, are also advised.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): According to TCM theory, most vision difficulties are due to reduced liver function. To restore wholesome liver function, TCM practitioners combine traditional Chinese medicine with nutritional improvements and traditional Chinese herbs, such as ginkgo biloba and ginseng.

Alternative Expert Care

The following professional treatments are all useful for preventing as well as treating macular degeneration: Acupressure, Acupuncture, Bodywork (Alexander technique, Feldenkrais, Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu, and Therapeutic Massage), Craniosacral Therapy, Chiropractic, Detoxification Therapy, Environmental Medicine,(focus on heavy metal detoxification), Chelation Therapy, Permanent magnetic Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, and Osteopathy. (See Resources for explanations of these Alternative Therapies.)