How to enhance bad eyesight

Can bad eyesight be improved with herbs, vitamins, and supplements? The proper use of many of nutrients can help restore bad eyesight, at least partially or perhaps more significantly.

Carotenoid supplementation rebuilds macular pigment optical density. Macular pigment is composed of 3 carotenoids, meso-zeaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin, and is mainly present at the nerve fiber layers and ganglion cell layers of the retina, with peak concentrations in the fovea. Lutein is a member of the carotenoid family, which are naturally occurring fat-soluble pigments found in plants. Zeaxanthin is one of two carotenoids that occur at high levels in the retina of the eyes, the other being lutein

Enhance bad eyesight

For bad eyesight, consider Eyesight Rx, formulated to provide a quick and noticeable eyesight improvement within hours or days of use.

Reports from users indicate enhanced clarity of vision, colors being brighter, better focus, and overall improvement in close and distance vision. We've had reports of some people noticing this effect within hours. Still others will realize better eyesight the next morning when they take their second dose.

Click Eyesight Rx to purchase this product


 Supplement Facts:
 Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Citrus bioflavonoids (eriocitrin,  flavonoids, and quercetin)
Mixed carotenoids including astaxanthin, beta carotene, cryptoxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene, and  Zeaxanthin
 Bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus) contains anthocyanins which protect the retina.
 Ginkgo biloba plant
Suma extract (Pfaffia paniculata)
Mucuna pruriens extract (Cowhage)
Lycium berry extract (Lycium Barbarum)
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a powerful antioxidant .

For more information on how to improve bad eyesight, see Eyesight.

Improving bad eyesight
The lens, retina, macula, and other parts of the eye involved in eyesight can be protected with the proper intake of antioxidants. Almost all the antioxidants likely have a positive influence on eye health. Of particular importance are vitamins C, E, selenium, and the carotenoids found in fruits and vegetables. Two particular carotenoids, called lutein and zeazanthin, play an important role in protecting eye tissue in the macula from damage by free radicals. Corn, eggs, green leafy vegetables, peppers, red grapes and pumpkins are some of the foods rich in lutein and zeazanthin. You can also find carotenoids and flavonoids in many herbs, including milk thistle and bilberry.

Bilberry extract has anthocyanides that help with vision.

Lutein is a carotenoid found in some vegetables and fruits that, after ingestion, finds itself to the retina of the eye. DHA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid also found in the retina. Investigators at Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts did a study to determine the influence of lutein and DHA supplements on macular pigment optical density. Forty-nine women (aged 60-80 years) were assigned to placebo, DHA, lutein, or lutein and DHA supplement. Lutein supplementation increased macular pigment density eccentrically (beyond the center of the retina). DHA resulted in central increases.

To improve bad eyesight, we recommend you include a variety of whole foods in your diet and take antioxidants. At this point, we don't know exactly what amounts and combinations of antioxidants will ensure optimal protection.

Nutrients that help bad eyesight
Good eyesight requires more than just eating carrots. Most everything that you do to improve your overall health will, in the long run, influence the health of your eyes. Very little information has been published regarding the influence of different nutrients on bad eyesight. The following is a list of supplements that improve eyesight. You are likely to notice the effects the very day you take them, and sometimes even within an hour or two. Generally, the higher the dose, the more obvious the visual improvement; but the risk for side effects would also increase as the dosage is increased. The combination of two or more nutrients sometimes has a synergistic effect.

Fish Oils for bad eyesight
Just like the rest of the cells in the brain, the cells of the retina—the rods and the cones—contain long-chained fatty acids. The most prominent of these fatty acids in the eye is an omega-3 fatty acid called DHA. Omega-3 oils, generally found in fish and flaxseed, enhance visual perception. There is improved color perception and depth of vision, enhanced night and distance vision, and overall enhancement in visual awareness after several days of taking flaxseed oil or fish oil capsules. In order to notice quicker results, i.e, within two or three days, the dosages need to be significant. For instance, most people need to take several grams of a combination EPA DHA fish oil supplement or a tablespoon or two of flaxseed oil. Once you notice an improvement, you can reduce your dosage of fish oils to one or two grams a day, or a teaspoon of flaxseed oil.

Acetyl-l-carnitine is an antioxidant involved in energy utilization within cells. A dose of 500 mg in the morning before breakfast works within two to three hours to induce a pleasant visual and mental clarity.

Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant that enhances glucose use in brain and eye cells. Usually a dose of 25 to 50 mg improves visual clarity. The effects are noticeable by late afternoon or evening.

Vinpocetine is an herbal extract that improves blood circulation to the brain. A dose of 10 mg often leads to visual clarity within one or two hours.

Pantothenic Acid is one of the B vitamins. A dose of 100 to 500 mg taken in the morning improves clarity of vision, usually noticeable in the late afternoon and continuing until bedtime. As with many nutrients that cause alertness, high dosages, even when taken in the morning, can interfere with nighttime sleep. Pantethene, the coenzymated form of pantothenic acid, produces similar visual improvement on a much lower dosage of 25 to 50 mg.

NADH
We are not sure exactly how NADH enhances vision. It likely has to do with raising levels of the brain chemical dopamine since, in our experience, dopamine-enhancing nutrients and medicines improve visual perception. Any supplement or drug that enhances dopamine levels can improve vision, at least temporarily.

CDP-Choline enhances acetylcholine production, but may also influence dopamine levels. The visual clarity is apparent within a few hours after taking 250 or 500 mg.

TMG, DMG, DMAE, and SAM-e are methyl donors that have similar effects of sharpening vision, most likely due to an increase in levels of brain chemicals. DMG is available in sublingual form and the visual effects are apparent within an hour of melting a pill under the tongue.

Video games may improve eyesight
Playing a lot of action video games may help improve eyesight. Daphne Bavelier, of the University of Rochester in New York, found people who used a video-game training program significant improvements in their ability to notice subtle differences in shades of gray, a finding that may help people who have trouble with night driving. Action video games train the brain to process the existing visual information more efficiently, and the improvements last for months after game play stopped. Daphne Bavelier says, "When people play action games, they're changing the brain's pathway responsible for visual processing. These games push the human visual system to the limits and the brain adapts to it."

Auditory Enhancers
Formal research regarding the field of hearing improvement from the use of supplements is practically nonexistent; and my experience with nutrients that improve hearing is limited compared to my experience with those that improve vision. My eyesight is normally 20/30 with a slight astigmatism. Hence, I can appreciate even subtle changes in vision that some nutrients provide. However, my hearing is excellent, and it is difficult for me to notice subtle improvements. However, there are certain nutrients that I am quite certain have a definite influence on hearing. These include pregnenolone, and NADH, and pantothenic acid. Additional nutrients that can potentially enhance auditory appreciation include pantothenic acid, the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine, the methyl donors, and some of the adaptogenic herbs such as ginseng. I am quite certain we will eventually discover many other supplements that improve hearing.

Summary
The use of supplements to improve eyesight and hearing is a relatively new concept in medicine. We are living in exciting times; it has only been in the last few years that we have had so many nutritional options available to us. It’s comforting to know that we don’t have to succumb to the ravages of time. We can see more sharply and hear more clearly by intelligently using nutrients and herbs.

Reading in dim light and eyesight
Q. Does reading in dim light hurt one's eyesight?
   A. Reading in dim light is not likely to do any eye damage, but it may make you squint, blink more and have trouble focusing.

Breastfeeding Brings Better Eyesight
Did you know that infants who are breastfed have better vision and have a lower risk for myopia (nearsightedness)? Mother's milk, unlike regular milk or soy formula, has an important fatty acid called DHA, which is also found in fish oils. The retina of the eye is chock full of DHA, and hence fish oils, which contain both EPA and DHA, are helpful in visual health. It makes sense that infants who drink mother's milk would have healthier retinas and better eyesight.

Eyesight and antioxidants
The January, 2003 issue of the medical journal Ophthalmology reports that antioxidants are helpful in improving eyesight in those with macular degeneration. The macula is a small area of the retina that has the sharpest vision. With age, the macula degenerates leading to poor eyesight. Thirty patients with early macular degeneration were divided into two groups, antioxidant group (A) and no treatment group (NT). Patients in the A group were given lutein, 15 mg; vitamin E, 20 mg; and nicotinamide, 18 mg, daily for 180 days, whereas NT patients had no dietary supplementation during the same period. In all patients and normal subjects, retinal assessment was performed at the start of the study and after 180 days. When evaluated at 180 days, the macula had improved in those taking the antioxidants while the NT group did not have any changes. The results suggest that increasing the level of retinal antioxidants influences macular function early in the disease process, as well as in normal aging.
   Comments: There are so many antioxidants to choose from for enhanced eyesight that it is difficult to recommend a specific combination that would apply to everyone. Supplements of lutein, vitamins C and E, and lipoic acid should be on the top of the list for eyesight improvement, along with, of course, plenty of organic fruits and vegetables.

Eyesight study
An ideal ocular nutritional supplement?
Bartlett H, Eperjesi F. Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2004.
The aim of this review is to identify those antioxidants most appropriate for inclusion in an ideal ocular nutritional supplement, suitable for those with a family history of glaucoma, cataract, or age-related macular disease, or lifestyle factors predisposing onset of these conditions, such as smoking, poor nutritional status, or high levels of sunlight exposure. It would also be suitable for those with early stages of age-related ocular disease. Literature searches were carried out on Web of Science and PubMed for articles relating to the use of nutrients in ocular disease. Those highlighted for possible inclusion were vitamins A, B, C and E, carotenoids beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, minerals selenium and zinc, and the herb, Ginkgo biloba. Conflicting evidence is presented for vitamins A and E in prevention of ocular disease; these vitamins have roles in the production of rhodopsin and prevention of lipid peroxidation respectively. B vitamins have been linked with a reduced risk of cataract and studies have provided evidence supporting a protective role of vitamin C in cataract prevention. Beta-carotene is active in the prevention of free radical formation, but has been linked with an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. Improvements in visual function in patients with age-related macular disease have been noted with lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation. Selenium has been linked with a reduced risk of cataract and activates the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage while zinc, although an essential component of antioxidant enzymes, has been highlighted for risk of adverse effects. As well as reducing platelet aggregation and increasing vasodilation, Gingko biloba has been linked with improvements in pre-existing field damage in some patients with normal tension glaucoma. We advocate that vitamins C and E, and lutein / zeaxanthin should be included in our theoretically ideal ocular nutritional supplement.

Eyesight improvement questions
Q.  What happens if you stop taking Eyesight Rx, do you go back to your previous vision? Also, we take milk thistle, COQ10, and many other supplements - is it best to skip those on the day we take it?
   A. After a day or two eyesight returns most often to previous level, it is best to take Eyesight Rx by itself at first until you know how it is working without interference.

Q. I have been taking new Focus for eyes have you heard of it I have been reading about Eyesight rx I had brain abcesses last august and effected my eyes I did not have great eye sight but after wards I was blinking allot or squinting do you think Eyesight Rx will help I also take Keppra for the seizures that were caused by the brain absesses i will have to be on medication for a year for them.
   A. Keppra is a medicine to treat partial seizures in adults. Unexpected reactions can occur when some drugs and supplements are combined. To be on the safe side, we suggest not using Eyesight Rx, but if your doctor approves, you could use a quarter of a tablet every other day. We don't know how Eyesight Rx influences eyesight that has been effected by an abscess. 

Q. My dad is on Coumadin. Can he use eyesight RX? Please don't say "check with your doctor," because as you know, the medical doctors for the most part are clue-less about supplements, and they will always say "I don't recommend it."
   A. The reason we can't say that he should take it is that FDA does not allow us to and could take us to court for giving medical advice without examining a patient. It is not legal for us to give such advice. We know this puts patients in a no win situation since their doctor does not know a lot about natural supplements. If your doctor approves that he can use Eyesight Rx, it may be wise to only take a quarter of a tablet.

Q. I have hypertension and I take enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide. I also take levothyroxin. Are there any problems with taking eyesight-rx with any of these? The opthalmologist told me I have myopic degeneration. I was hoping eyesight-rx would help. I know you can' t claim it will. I heard about hesperidin on Air America. When I heard it helped vascular health, I thought about my eyes, so I googled hesperidin and found you. Fancy that!
   A. If you do plan to take Eyesight Rx, only take it every other day to make sure it does not interfere with your other medicines and please have approval by your doctors.

Q. I wonder whether you are familiar with the OcluMed eye drops? I wonder whether this formulation is superior to similar brands sold in the market today, such as: CAN C, EYE D’CLARE or Bright Eyes? both for improved vision and the removal of cataracts. I would greatly appreciate your opinion since there is a very big price differential and I don't know whether this indicates superior performance?
   A. We not to give an opinion on products made by other companies. Plus, there are hundreds of these eye formulas on the market and we cannot analyze them all.

Does tribulus terrestris extract sharpen vision?
    We have tried this herb and have not found it to have much of an effect on visual acuity.

Vision supplement forecast
A large number of natural products for eye health are being introduced to the United States market according to a research report by Frost and Sullivan. "The US eye health ingredients market is benefiting from the consumers' need to protect their eyes through beneficial nutrition," stated the report, U.S. Eye Health Ingredients, published in November2009 .This is part of a larger trend away from merely trying to cure disease toward disease prevention. About 3 million Americans 40 or older are affected by blindness or low vision. This figure is projected to reach 5 million by 2020. Low vision and blindness increase considerably as a person ages, particularly for those over 65. The most common eye diseases are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. This affords opportunities for such eye-health ingredients as lutein, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, bilberry extract and astaxanthin – and Frost & Sullivan considers the US market for such ingredients largely "untapped."