Myopia How the human eye sees Lens of

Myopia § How the human eye sees • Lens of the eye bends/refracts light • Image is formed when light reaches the retina

Myopia Ø Myopia—Refractive error of the eye that makes distant objects appear blurred (shot-sighted or near sighted) § Distorted lens § Elongation of the optic axis • Images cannot form at retina • Light is focused in front of retina

Preventing Myopia Diet A study on 851 Chinese schoolchildren by the Singapore Eye Research Institute found that: Higher intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol were associated with myopia.

Cataracts Ø Eye lens—Water and protein § Protein • Keeps the lens clear • Helps to capture clear images at the retina § Clouding of the lens—clumping of protein § Discoloration of the lens—yellow or brown tint

Cataracts § May occur in one or both eyes § Will not spread from one eye to the other § Main cause of impaired vision § Higher incidence in women

Diet and Cataracts Ø Meat and dairy products Increase the risk of cataracts Excess Lactose • converted into Galactitol • accumulates in Lens • causing Cataracts

Diet and Cataracts Ø Low intake of plant foods Ø Nutrients Researchers found that: § Cataract patients have low levels of Vitamin C. § Cataract risk was reduced for people with higher intakes of vitamin D and carotenoids.

Diabetes and Retinal Diseases § Diabetic retinopathy a complication of diabetes Chronic hyperglycemia • Damages the Retinal vascular endothelium • Causing Retinopathy

Diabetes and Retinal Diseases Ø Grape seed—oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) § Help to slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy § Strengthen blood vessels in the eyes and improve blood circulation in the eyes § A controlled trial revealed: 60% of diabetics taking 150 mg per day of OPCs from grape seed extract had no progression of retinopathy compared to 47% of those taking a placebo.

Diabetes and Retinal Diseases Ø Chinese Wolfberry—contains high levels of polysaccharides, polyphenols, zeaxanthin and lutein University research in the U. S. showed that Chinese wolfberries have high antioxidant activity and can lower oxidative stress that the eye undergoes as a result of type 2 diabetes.

Glaucoma § Disease resulting in optic nerve damage § Pressure within the eye increases § High chance of permanently impairing vision, even causing blindness

Glaucoma § Caffeine intake increases eye pressure in glaucoma patients Vitamin deficiency does not lead to glaucoma § Hereditary • A family history of glaucoma makes one 2 – 4 times as likely to acquire glaucoma § Caused by mutations in various genes

Secondary Glaucoma Ø Causes § Diabetic retinopathy—Restricted blood flow to the eyes § Long-term use of steroids Ø Glaucoma patients are 29% more likely to suffer from hypertension than the average person

Secondary Glaucoma Ø Preventive measures § Prevention against obesity and diabetes § Maintain retinal health § Healthy diet

Computer Vision Syndrome Ø Short-term effects § Headache § Blurred vision § Neck pain § Red eyes § Fatigue § Eye strain § Dry eyes § Stinging eyes § Double vision

Dry Eyes Ø Main symptom of Sjögren’s Syndrome Ø Sjögren’s Syndrome § An autoimmune disorder § Occurs more frequently in postmenopausal women

Dry Eyes For relief § Omega-3 § Artificial tears § Humidifier § Sleep with eyes closed § Reduce use of anti-allergy drugs § Blink more often

Diet and Cataracts Ø Fats § High intake of omega-6 fatty acids may increase the risk of age-related cataracts § High intakes of vegetable oils and trans fats—associated with higher risk of early nuclear cataracts § Intake of mayonnaise and creamy salad dressings—linked to cataracts in women

Cassia Seed § Very beneficial to the liver and eyesight § Protects the liver by boosting the activities of antioxidant enzymes

Cassia Seed Ø Helps to scavenge free radicals Ø Cassia seeds have long been used in TCM as a tonic for the liver, eyes and kidneys § Eye conditions such as dim vision and night blindness § Relieves red, sore and swollen eyes due to liver inflammation

Chia Seed Ø Important source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) § Has powerful anti-inflammatory effects

Chia Seed Ø Helps to prevent eye conditions linked to oxidative stress and inflammation § Dry eye syndrome (DES) § Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) § Cataracts Ø Diabetic retinopathy

Blueberry Ø High concentration of antioxidants and phytochemicals Anthocyanins § Powerful antioxidants § Defends against free radical damage § Supports the retina Experimental studies showed that anthocyanins significantly reduced retinal damage compared to placebo

Blueberry Ø Effectively neutralizes free radicals and defends the retina

Carrot § Supports night vision § Aids dry eyes § Reduces glaucoma risk § Helps the retina function properly

Carrot § Contains carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants § A U. S. study showed that the risk of glaucoma was lowered by 64% in women who ate more than 2 servings of carrots a week compared with those who ate less than 1 serving a week.

Chinese Wolfberry Long history of use in TCM to nourish the liver and kidneys, and support vision ØHigh level of zeaxanthin § A carotenoid with antioxidant effects § Maintains macular pigment optical density

Chinese Wolfberry § § § Contains polysaccharides, polyphenols and lutein Improves vision Supports the eyes against harmful blue light Defends against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) Defends against diabetic retinopathy

Broccoli Ø Rich in lutein and zeaxanthin § Studies have shown that high intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin (particularly from broccoli) significantly reduce risk of • Cataract—up to 20%

Broccoli Ø Rich in lutein and zeaxanthin § USA一In a study of 36, 644 people, those with the highest intakes of lutein plus zeaxanthin had 19% lower risk of cataract compared to those with the lowest intakes.

Brussels Sprouts Ø Zeaxanthin—Protects against retinal damage, cataracts and macular degeneration § Selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes § Supports the eyes § Helps fight cataracts and macular degeneration § Antioxidant and UV light-filtering functions § Defends against retinal damage Ø Rich in antioxidants Ø Rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

Yellow Pepper Ø A type of bell pepper / sweet pepper § Wide range of colors: Red, orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, etc. § Color depends on the time of harvest, growing conditions, and cultivation processes

Yellow Pepper Ø Excellent source of antioxidants § More than 30 different carotenoids § Highest level of carotenoids compared to green and red peppers Ø Rich in beta-carotene § Helps improve vision § Combats oxidative stress in the eyes caused by free radicals

Yellow Pepper § Contains violaxanthin and lutein § Prevents macular degeneration and cataracts

EVIEW § Cassia Seed § Chia Seed § Blueberry § Carrot § Chinese Wolfberry § Grape Seed § Broccoli § Brussels Sprouts § Yellow Pepper

Product Combination O-SEED + EVIEW

Product Combination Nutrifresh + O-SEED + EVIEW

Product Combination Nutricardia (Encore) + VISION + EVIEW