These Eyes

In the early 1980s, I was having hemorrhages on the retina and had very little tearing. I couldn't drive at night and reading was difficult. Blindness was inevitable, I was told.

I was in my early 40s and had macular degeneration. This condition is caused by the deterioration of the macula, which is a pea-sized spot in the centre of the eye's retina. Blurred central vision and difficulty seeing detail or recognizing faces or colours are signs of this eye disease.

Fortunately, a friend encouraged me to see her naturopath.

Dr. Loffler told me there certainly was help with nutrition, supplements and good health habits. The first thing he did was order a.m. and p.m. urine tests. The blood work done by my MD was sent to him as well. He changed my diet and put me on a detoxification program. A hair analysis revealed I was very low in zinc and high in copper, and showed what other dietary corrections had to be made.

I was to eliminate refined foods such as white sugar, white flour, white rice and white breads. He also told me to read the labels of everything I bought and avoid additives, preservatives, hydrogenated oils and dyes. Oils were something to eliminate except for cold-pressed olive and flax oils. I was to use pure maple syrup or a little honey for sweetening in cooking. Coffee, tea and chocolate had caffeine, and milk products such as processed cheese and homogenized milk were difficult to digest. Not mixing protein and carbohydrates at meals was quite easy because he gave me a list to follow. I was also to drink lots of good water.

I've changed my diet to include ripe, raw fruits and veggies high in antioxidants, raw seeds and nuts, brown rice, wild fish and organic eggs. I have learned that bananas, dark green, leafy veggies and red fruits are high in lutein and zeaxanthen, which help remedy eye problems.

I also take a complete carotenoid complex (beta-carotene and other carotenoids), 25 milligrams of zinc, a chelated calcium-magnesium and vitamin C. I have just added lutein and zeaxanthen to my list of supplements because they are also most important to eye health. (Other important eye supplements available at health food stores are bilberry and homeopathic eye drops.)

Zinc is important for eye health, so I eliminated soy products from my diet, as reports have shown that soy can inhibit zinc absorption.

Sunglasses, with ultraviolet protection for bright days, are necessary. Exercise, a healthy diet and plenty of water is where "it's at" now.

It has been wonderful to be able to drive at night again and to read again. I have plenty of tearing and do not have to put drops in my eyes. I haven't had any more hemorrhages on the retina, either. My regular check-ups with the eye specialist show that my eye condition certainly has improved the macular degeneration has not progressed at all.

I am thankful that I went the natural way to overcome my health problem. Thank you, alive Magazine, for helping us find solutions for wellness.

Eye the Facts on Macular Degeneration

• Macular degeneration is an eye disease that accounts for one-third of all cases of vision loss in Canada.
• The most common form occurs in people over age 55 and is called age-related macular degeneration.
• The disease is also linked to high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, genetics and eye injuries that may have damaged the macula.
• There are two types of macular degeneration: the dry type, which takes many months or years to develop, and the wet type, where leakage and hemorrhage occur under the macula, causing symptoms to develop quickly.
• To get this condition treated early, it's important to get regular eye exams, especially for those over 45.

Source: Canadian Opthalmological Society