Improve Eyesight

One of the most well-known ophthalmologists who became fascinated with eye health was a man named William Bates.

He began his internship at Columbia hospital, and because he was directly involved in determining what caused eye problems in his patients, he studied the inner-workings of the eye thoroughly.

He concluded that the "external muscles of the eye" determined good eyesight and not, as conventional wisdom suggested, the lens itself.

His conclusion, after years of patient study, was that wearing eyeglasses did absolutely nothing to improve conditions under which one is better able to see, but that these lenses created additional stress on the eye muscles.

He contended that eyeglasses and contact lenses caused more harm than good and did not improve vision at all. Thus, while eyeglasses are utilized to "correct light that is entering the eye," the problem isn't the light, but the eye.

Bates had a belief system that insisted eye problems composed two main categories: Stress and mental strain.

He believed that when one is under stress, the muscle in the eye is greatly affected, and that a calm state of mind can reduce the strain that is caused by the stress. Thus, he utilized a method wherein one can relax the muscle in the eye via exercise and begin to retrain one's eyes to focus naturally and without strain.

His notion is one that makes sense. Everyone has the ability to see things clearly and should do so in a relaxed state of mind. Looking at any object in a relaxed state alleviates any strain caused to the eyes, and it is the natural way in which the eyes are meant to operate. Without the stress of focusing on things we cannot see results in the ability to see.

Thus, the Bates Method of Seeing encompassed four main exercises that are used in combination with a relaxed mental state:

* Palming -- While many ophthalmologists are not well-versed in this method, it is nonetheless important for eye relaxation. Simply sit at a table with the head resting on the hands, ensuring the fingers are set against the forehead. The eyes are then covered wherein no light can penetrate. In addition, the hands do not touch the eyes at all. This state of relaxing the eyes for a few minutes has been quite effective in improving vision.

* Sunning - Studies have shown that this method is necessary and valuable to the eyes. Go out on a sunny day, close your eyes and point your head up to the sun. Gently sway back and forth as the sun's light bathes the eyes.

* Swinging - As you hold your index finger in front of your eyes, rock back and forth. Bates determined that this helps to incorporate both peripheral vision and focus at the same time.

* Blinking - This well-known exercise combined with breathing exercise allows for the relaxation and massaging of the eyes while lubricating them at the same time, and brings a balance within.

We all know the benefit of taking vitamin A. Beta-carotene, consuming a carrot a day, as well as the antioxidant in vitamin A increases the health of the eyes, especially as we age.

Studies have shown that vitamin C, when combined with vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc can decrease the development of macular degeneration.

A diet regimen filled with vitamins and minerals can also decrease the chances one will develop poor eyesight later in life.

* Quit smoking.
* Incorporate eye exercises into your daily routine.
* Avoid high blood pressure.
* Avoid direct sunlight (tanning at the beach, etc.).
* Rest the eyes frequently.
* Do not stare at any one object for long periods of time.
* Take breaks from focusing on a specific task.
* Look away from the computer every hour.
* Get out and talk a walk for 20 minutes.
* Watch your sugar intake.
* Maintain a healthy diet and exercise program.
* Avoid stress.

Computer Work

In this age of technology, we all become victims to overwork and stress on both our eyes and bodies. In order to alleviate the pronounced stress to our eyes when working at home or at the office, here are some tips to help decrease the strain on our eyes.

* If you are a work-at-home mom or dad, as well as students, arrange your home office so that your computer is placed near a window. When you sit at the computer, ensure that you are at least an arm's length away from the monitor. While working on projects that may take several hours, it is recommended that you stop every 20 minutes and look away from the computer, focusing your attention on the tree outside, or watching passers-by. If you work in an office that doesn't have a window, then find an object across the room and focus on it.

* Posture, while sitting at the computer, is just as important. Remember, the monitor should be placed on the computer desk at least 24 inches away from your eyes. Utilize good lighting as well. While you may not be able to control the lights used in the workplace, experts recommend you work under dimmed lighting at home. Add a desk lamp for work which entails close scrutiny.

* Just as glare can affect the eyes, so too computer glare can also harm the eyes. Purchase an anti-glare screen to place over your monitor. Speaking of glare, wear sunglasses that provide 100% protection against UV rays.

* When you are reading a website or a book, or engaging in sewing or school projects with your kids, you may not realize it but you tend to blink less often as you concentrate on the task at hand. Blinking not only relaxes the eyes, but keeps them lubricated as well.

* Finally, when sitting in front of the computer you may tend to grow a bit tired, and may lean back in your chair, or rest your feet on an inner drawer. This is contrary to maintaining a proper seating position since you would then be forced to view the monitor from an angle other than the correct one, i.e., looking directly at the computer. This can cause eye strain as well.

Whether you are an avid reader or love watching old movies on TV, taking a break from the consistent strain you put on your eyes by focusing for hours on end on a book or movie that can cause unnecessary eye strain. Take a break every 20 minutes to an hour. Another suggestion is to sit in your living room and simply look around the room without focusing on one particular object.

This is a great exercise for the eyes. Allow the eyes to see what they choose to see. Do not force them by squinting; just allow them to look around the room at will.

As we all become more integrated in this technology we call computers, we must remind ourselves daily that just as our bodies grow tired from typing and sitting for hours on end, whether it's perusing sites or playing games, we tend to forget that our bodies can exact an unhealthy toll as well.

If you do have a project you are working on, and you don't have time to get up and walk around a bit; here's a little tip: Simply press down on your heels and toes. This stimulates the muscles in your legs and decreases the chances of developing clots.

Get more Information on Vizu-All Plus for Eye Problems associated with Diabetes

As we become more in tune with natural remedies and a more holistic way of preventing disease in our bodies, the same holds true for our eyes. In order to understand how one can successfully utilize natural ways to save one's eyesight, it is necessary to explain how eye diseases affect the eyes to begin with.

*Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a result of the optic nerve becoming damaged by changes in one's pressure. Thus, vigilance is needed in avoiding stressful situations that can bring on hypertension.

*Cataracts

Cataracts are caused by the lens inside the eye to lose its transparency. Bilberry, vitamin C, and Lutein, which are found in leafy green vegetables, can prevent the onset of cataracts.

*Diabetic Retinopathy

Anyone who has been a diabetic for over ten years may fall victim to this disease. It is caused by high sugar levels which damages the blood vessels in the eyes. To avoid this disease, it is recommended that you watch your sugar intake, keep your blood pressure under control, and utilize a healthy diet and exercise program daily.

*Dry Eyes

Dry eyes occur when the flow of tears, which encompass essential oils, mucous, and water cease to flow. If you find that one or both eyes begin to tear, it is just water that is seeping out of the eye, and can cause irritation and a crust which is formed on the eyelid. The natural solution for this condition is omega 3 fatty oils which can be found in fish

*Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration is the deterioration of the cells in the macula. Symptoms may include blurry vision, dimming colors, and the inability to read becomes more difficult. UV rays are often the cause of macular degeneration as well as a poor diet and vitamin deficiency. At-risk individuals include women, smokers, diabetics, individuals with hypertension, and those who do not maintain a healthy source of nutrients.

TIP: A proper diet filled with omega 3 oils, vegetables, minerals, exercise, and fruits as well as wearing sunglasses that protect you against the sun's UV rays is essential.

Research suggests that exercise is just as important for the eyes as the body. To this end, it is considered more effective to use relaxation techniques for the eyes which not only stimulate them, but prevent eye strain as well. Here are a few tips which can help rest your tired eyes:

* Find a quiet room and sit quietly with your eyes closed. If you engage in Yoga, you know the drill and can easily detect better vision as a result.

* As mentioned earlier, the Bates Method of palming, sunning, swinging, and blinking have been effective in relieving eye strain.

* Move the eyes around. This is to say, try to move your eyes in a circular motion. This type of natural therapy allows the eyes to focus properly.

* An exercise for nearsightedness is also recommended. Here, you can choose an object in a room in your home. Focus on it. Then every so slightly tilt back so that the object in question becomes blurry. Once it does, move forward to the point at which you can see the object clearly again. Repeated use of this exercise will improve your vision.

Note on Make-up on the Eyes:

How many times have you put on mascara and accidentally poked your eye. The irritation and pain that results is one you can identify with, right? Proper application of make-up calls for applying it to the outside of the eyelashes so that the mascara does not get into your eyes and cause irritation.

Cleansing the eyes is another natural remedy to improve eye health. Using tea such as black or green tea placed over the eyes offers a soothing remedy to inflammation or redness. In addition, you can actually use these teas combined with water as an eye wash which will clean the eye and its membranes as well.

Certainly you have heard of placing tea bags on your tired eyes to alleviate any pain or discomfort.

Well, homeopathic remedies for the eyes are becoming more popular with each passing day. Alternating hot and cold compresses for the eyes has also been known to be just as effective to relieve puffiness, redness, and just plain tired eyes.

While we all have had a cup of chamomile to calm our nerves, it can also calm the eyes as well.

Chamomile has been effective in decreasing burning eyes, while fennel has been used for eye strain.

Echinacea has been utilized for itchy eyes and oak bark for inflammation.

The "Eyes" Have It!
As we become increasingly aware of the affects of holistic approaches and natural remedies to thwart off and sometimes cure conventional diseases, the eyes have a way of sending us signals telling us we need to address a specific problem.

One holistic doctor has posed an interesting scenario when it comes to eye health. Just as Gestalt therapy deals with the here and now, so too, the holistic approach to eye health can also be utilized in this fashion.

Listening to our entire body, including our eyes, will afford us the opportunity to examine those issues which may be causing the object of discontent.

Simply put, this doctor has put together a series of questions which are in direct alignment with a specific eye disease. For example, let's take macular degeneration. He advises his patients to ask these questions in relation to this disease:

* Is there something missing from your life?
* Are you slowing down?
* Are you looking for a new direction in life?
* Is your spirituality important to your life?

What do these questions have to do with anything relative to the eye? According to this holistic doctor, if you answered yes to any of these questions, he would tell you that the macular degeneration is caused by physical factors only.

He would then recommend that you engage in a healthier lifestyle which includes: proper nutrition, avoiding stress, undergoing Gestalt therapy, exercise, and take many breaks when engaged in working at the computer, reading, or watching TV.

This is certainly a process which is only now being employed by conventional ophthalmologists. There is a definite connection between mind and body, and the eyes do have it right.

They signal you when there is a problem and it is up to you to determine if the problem is stress-related or consists of a combination of bad nutrition, vitamin deficiency, and an imbalance within.

Our eyes are more than the windows to the world; they are the one sense that tries to make sense of all that it sees in the world today. Just as we become agitated by the news of the day, our eyes become agitated when we try too hard to focus in on that which our eyes find straining or too hard to bear over a long duration.

Save your eyesight the natural way by incorporating the many natural ways including holistic approaches, homeopathic remedies, and more importantly - begin by re-examining the whole you. You may find that the angst within is the cause of so much stress on your eyes.