Proper diets have long been known to be beneficial to our overall good health. New research has demonstrated more specifics as to just how important and what we need to eat in order to stay healthy and fit.

Vitamin B is actually a family of 8 water soluble Vitamins each with specific benefits that our bodies need to stay healthy. All of them except for B12 are found in similar food sources.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) is found in meats, grains and brewers yeast. It is involved in the breakdown of nutrients and facilitates the burning of fuel for energy. Therefore it is crucial in all organ systems and functions. In addition, Vitamin B1 also helps lower levels of AGEs thus helping diabetics manage their blood sugar. Smokers, drug abusers and alcoholics tend to have reduced Vitamin B1 levels and that fact often leads to many of the physiological problems that those individuals developer. The recommended daily intake for B1 (RDI) is 1.5 mg.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is found in many of the same foods as Vitamin B1 and also aids in the release of energy. In addition, it also helps in the production of an antioxidant enzyme called GSH reductase. Vitamin B2 has more of an impact on the eyes because a deficiency can result in light sensitive, near point discomfort, reading and focusing problems, itching and burning, dry eyes, conjunctiva redness and even cataracts. The RDI is 1.7 mg.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is found in Beets, meats, poultry and fish, seeds, nuts and brewers yeast. A major function of Vitamin B3 is to maintain the skin. Deficiency can result in cracking and scaling on the skin, headaches and even a red tongue. Overdosing with Vitamin B3 can cause retinal swelling and loss of eye brows and lashes. The RDI is 20 mg.

Vitamin B5 ( Pantothenic acid) is found in similar foods as the other Vitamin Bs and helps in normal growth and development as well as Red Blood Cell and hormone production. Deficiency can lead to skin healing problems and fatigue. RDI is 10 mg.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal Family) is comprised of 3 Vitamins that aid in reactions involving proteins and amino acids. It helps in Red Blood Cell production, immune system function and system wide fluid levels. RDI is 2 mg.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin) is found in yeast, liver, salmon, bananas, carrots, eggs, legumes and mushrooms. It is required for cell growth and is involved in the citric acid cycle to help generate energy. Deficiency, while rare, can cause eye lash loss and skin rashes.

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) is found mainly in dark green vegetables, cereals, tomatoes, lentils and beans. This important Vitamin helps regulate Red Blood Cells. The RDI is 400 mcg.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is found in fish, meat, eggs, and milk. It is critical for the development of Myelin (nerve insulation) and is also involved in DNA, RNA and RBC synthesis. Since it is required for the manufacturing of myelin, it protects the Optic nerve and has been shown to increase the visual fields in glaucoma patients. The RDI is 6 mcg.

Proper nutrition is required to stay healthy. The Vitamin B complex is part of that requirement. Therefore, we should all eat a well balanced diet and avoid substances that block absorption of these critical nutrients. Items like alcohol, smoking and drugs hurt our bodily systems in part by blocking these important substances. “Everything in moderation.”

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By Peter Tolan

Like the rime in the title says, if youre looking for a good solution for your eyes, Cibavision is the first, who can help you. Being the leading contact lens brand, it has a solution for every possible problem that can occur with eyes.

It was made to help people experience lifes most precious gift, a healthy vision. For years this company tries to ensure people with eye problems the latest technology and the highest quality. Cibavision manufactures a lot of contact types, for a wide scale of problems.

For example, Cibavision manufactures the Air Optix family of highly breathable lenses. These lenses are famous for their high permeability, letting the eye to breath in an unusual way. Here we have to mention the Air Optix Aqua lenses that contain a balanced mix of oxygen and moisture, the Air Optix for Astigmatism lenses that corrects the vision of those who suffer from this illness, the Air Optix Multifocal contacts that helps those, who have problem with both far and near vision and the Air Optix Night & Day Aqua contacts that bring the Aqua moisture system for comfort and quality for day and night, for up to 30 nights.

Another family that can be mentioned is the Dailies family of daily disposable contact lenses. They provide comfort and quality every day, being a clean start every morning. Products in this family are the Dailies AquaComfort Plus with a unique triple action moisture, the Dailies Progressive that is the first bifocal disposable lenses for daily use and the Dailies Toric, the first toric lens with Aqua Release.

People like colored eyes, so Cibavision made a lens family for them, too. This family is the FreshLook family of colored contact lenses. If you don’t like the color of your eyes, or you want to enhance your eye’s color, this family is perfect for you. It contains the FreshLook ColorBlends lenses for enhancing or totally changing the eye color, the FreshLook One-Day lenses that use the same technology, but are disposable lenses and FreshLook Dimensions lenses that enhance the eye color and give it an extra dimension.

Now, if we have contact lenses, we have to clean them as well. No problem, Cibavision has thought about this, too. With high quality lenses come easy-to-use and effective cleaning solutions. For example there is the Clear Care product that is a powerful no-rub solution that contains peroxide. Or there is the AQuify multi-purpose solution for soft lenses, but the AQuify Long-Lasting Confort Drops are to be mentioned, too, these drops behave like human tears and help providing long-lasting comfort.

You can see now, that Cibavision is not kidding when talking about quality, durability and comfort. They really mean it.

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LASIK is a commonly performed refractive procedure to reduce or eliminate the need for eye glasses. It involves creating a flap in the outer most layer of the cornea called the epithelium, lifting it up and then reshaping the inner layers employing a laser. By changing the shape of the cornea, light can be focused on to the retina thus eliminating the need for eye glasses or contact lenses.

A comprehensive visual evaluation must always be performed to ascertain if there are any pathological issues or dystrophies which can adversely affect the results of the refractive procedure. Misdiagnosis or missing a corneal dystrophy can have devastating consequences during the procedure.

The flap in LASIK can be created with the use of either a lathe or a laser called Intralase. Under normal circumstances the flap is made, and lifted without any problems; it retains its shape and form. If there is an underlying condition such as a “Map Dot Fingerprint” corneal dystrophy, then when the flap is lifted up it will fall apart and break into pieces like paper tissue in water. When this occurs the outer most layer of the cornea can be lost; resulting is a devastating surgical complication. The recuperation will be long, painful and may result in permanently reduced vision. Frequently, when a dystrophy is missed during the presurgical testing and a flap is created, the procedure must be aborted and a contact lens placed on the eye to keep the fragmented flap in place while it heals. Hopefully, the flap is never lifted up, and will therefore heal without incident. Once it is lifted, the trouble begins.

Therefore, it is critical that the surgeon very carefully evaluate the cornea prior to surgery to rule out any dystrophy that will destroy the flap. When such a condition is found, PRK is the procedure of choice. In that case, the epithelium is brushed away and there is no chance of a dystrophy causing any issues. As always, selecting an experienced well trained refractive surgeon is critical to achieving the best results.

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Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid, was discovered in the 1930′s and is water soluble found easily in fruits and vegetables. It is an important agent as an antioxidant and in collagen synthesis. Vitamin C promotes stronger tissues, capillary growth; helps heal wounds and even aids the absorption of iron contributing to hemoglobin and red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Vitamin C is found in large concentrations in many structures of the eye including the cornea, aqueous humor, natural lens, vitreous and retina. A Vitamin C deficiency will and often does result in changes in the ocular health and then the visual acuity. Systemic deficiencies result in scurvy, first discovered on ships as early as the 1600-1700′s. These symptoms include muscle weakness, bleeding gums, fatigue, black and blue marks and common infections.

With regards to the eyes, multiple studies have concluded that taking Vitamin C will prevent age related cataracts or at least slow their development and severity. It blocks the transformation of proteins that result in the yellowing of the nuclear part of the natural lens. According to the AREDS Study, when 500 mg of Vitamin C is taken regularly there was a slowing down in the progression of moderate to severe AMD and a corresponding improvement in visual acuity.

The bottom line is that Vitamin C is an important past of good ocular and general health and should never be overlooked.

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By Peter Tolan

Contact lenses are normally classified into two categories; replacement contact lenses and disposable contact lenses. These are sorted according to the length of time it is worn. But do you know why there is a difference?

Replacement contact lenses are advantageous to wearers primarily because they are relatively cheaper. It is cheaper in the long run. Let`s say, you would spend a dollar a day for one-day disposables, in six months that is already 360 $ (give or take), but your 200 $ replacement is scheduled for six months. Now, you already saved money on that. The downside of cleaning replacement contact lenses is already simplified. For cleaning this type of lens are used multi-purpose cleaners that do not need several steps. If you are concerned about replacement contact lenses having deposits, there are already thermal cleaners that you would be able to use at least once a week.

Nevertheless, contact lens wearers are slowly shifting to disposable lenses. The primary reason is perhaps because they are convenient. The convenience sometimes outplays the cost of these lenses. There are times that these lenses could cost up to a hundred dollars in a month. Nevertheless, the convenience and the sanitary aspect are also important, especially for children who opt to wear these. In the same manner, contact lenses like focus dailies and focus night and day, can save you time, which could have been used for studies or other things. If you also tend to lose your contact lenses often, this is a better option, since replacements can tent to be more expensive.

Another important advantage of disposable contact lenses over frequent replacements is the development of less deposit. These deposits can reduce the amount of oxygen (for soft lenses) that enters the eye, this causes irritation. So in cases like monthly contact lens, deposits are usually less. There also reduce the chance of lens related corneal ulcer. For those that have sensitive or dry eyes, this is also a better option.

If you also tend to use contact lenses only on some occasions, then this is a better option than the expensive lens which you only intend to wear a couple of times. You may also opt for colored contact lenses that can enhance or completely change the color of your eyes.

Ultimately, which ever contact lens you may choose; remember to visit an eye specialist to avoid any eye-related disease and have a proper contact lens fitting.

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Antidepressant drugs like Paxil, Celexa and Zoloft are commonly used in today’s society to treat depression. While their effectiveness may vary from patient to patient, their ocular side effects are well documented and may adversely affect one’s ability to function normally due to decreased visual abilities.

The most commonly reported negative visual reactions are dry eyes and blurred vision. According to Dr Jill Autry, an Optometrist and Pharmacist, these drugs and those prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) will also cause focusing changes and Nystagmus; which is a side to side involuntary eye movement. In addition, headaches, occasional blur, and changes in light and color perception may result with continued use. In rare incidences inflamed and swollen optic nerves have been reported as well as detached retinas in the macular areas.

Lithium, a stronger antipsychotic drug, can raise intracranial pressure which will result in papilledema which is a blurred disc margin. While changes in the drug regimen should be considered in patients that exhibit these ocular manifestation; abruptly stopping the medications will result in serious mental consequences. Therefore a gradual alteration in the drug therapy must be employed by the prescribing doctor.

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