Second Nature Care Blog

Nearsightedness and Blindness

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 7, 2016 5:27:18 AM / by Winter Ninivaggi

Nearsightedness could have long term risks.

A recent study reports that individuals with high myopia (nearsightedness) had a significantly increased lifetime risk of visual impairment.

Due to the axial lengths, myopia can bring major threats to visual health. Nearsightedness is becoming the most common eye disorder to cause blindness in younger adults in many parts of the world due to complications such as macular degeneration, early cataract, retinal detachment, and/or glaucoma.

High myopia has already been projected to increase two-fold (from 22%) and five-fold (from 2%), respectively, from 2000 to 2050, and developing strategies to prevent it and its complications could help to avoid increase in visual impairment.

Even simple nearsightedness carries a lifetime risk of visual impairment. This observation strengthens support for attempts to prevent simple myopia, whether by environmental measures or pharmacological intervention.

 While randomized clinical trials indicate that low-dose atropine eye drops may help prevent myopia in children, more cost risk evaluations are needed.

Patients with myopia should be aware of new symptoms or deteriorating vision should not hesitate to seek opthalmic assessment due to the potentially blinding complications associated with myopia.

I check Vitamin D levels on every patient at Second Nature in CT. Vitamin D levels are easy to check and covered by most insurances. Vitamin D levels should range between 70-100.

Second Nature Care Vitamin D protection 

In our area, I recommend that patients take 5000 iu. of Vitamin D3 from Xymogen between October and April. Xymogen's formula is soy-free. Xymogen makes a specific formula of supportive eye nutrients called I-Sight. In our Piermont office, Dr. E. recommends I.V. therapy formulas for macular degeneration that are loaded with B-vitamins, taurine, carnitine, zinc,Vitamin C and other eye nutrients.

Book Today!

Topics: Healthy Living

Winter Ninivaggi

Written by Winter Ninivaggi

Isadora Guggenheim, ND, FNP, RN, MS, CNS, LMT, owner of Second Nature Naturopathic Care, LLC
For all appointments: Tel: 845 358-8385 Fax: 845 358-2963 drguggenheim@msn.com