Myths:
Nothing can be done to help prevent vision loss due to Cone-Rod Dystrophy.
Facts:
Overview:
Cone-Rod Dystrophy is the name given to a wide range of eye conditions. The common link is a problem with the rod and cone photoreceptors. Photoreceptor cells convert light into nerve signals that ultimately get transmitted to our brain through our optic nerve. There are two types of photoreceptor cells; cones which help us detect color and fine details and account for our central vision; while the rods help us see in low light and help us with night and peripheral vision. With Rod-Cone Dystrophy, one's photoreceptor cells may not work from childhood, or may lose their ability to function over time.
Related Conditions
- Rod - Cone conditions: Retinal Cone Degeneration, Retinal Cone-Rod Dystrophy, Cone-Rod Dystrophy, Combined Cone-Rod Degeneration, Cone-Rod Degeneration, Progressive Cone-Rod Dystrophy, Retinal Cone Dystrophy, Retinal Cone-Rod Dystrophy
- Leber's Amaurosis
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
Usher's Syndrome
Batten's Disease.
Rods are good at 'seeing'
- things that move but only in black and white
- seeing in the dark
- seeing things on the sides of us (peripheral vision)
Cones are good at 'seeing'
- things that are still
- fine details of things in the daylight
- objects in color
- things in fine detail including reading, looking at photographs and recognizing faces
Symptoms:
- gradual loss of night vision
- gradual loss of peripheral vision
Young children with Rod-Cone Dystrophy may develop:
- Fast 'to and fro' movements of the eyes. This is referred to Nystagmus.
- 'Roving' eye movements where the eyes appear to slowly wander around not fixing and staying still on any objects.
- 'Eye Poking' where the child touches their eyes with their fingers.
Parents will often notice these signs by the way the child acts. You can arrange an assessment with your family doctor.
Causes:
There are many different causes of Rod-Cone Dystrophies. Often one does not know why a child has a Rod-Cone Dystrophy. When no cause can be identified this is called Idiopathic.
Most Rod-Cone Dystrophies are genetically based and result from "misprints" in a child's genes, and are typically carried forward from the parents' genes although sometimes by chance a new mistake occurs in the child's genes and the parents' genes are normal.
Conventional Treatment:
There is no good conventional way to stop the sight loss in Rod-Cone Dystrophy.
Complementary Treatment:Shopping Tips
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On a tight budget?
Here's our single most important recommendation:
Doctor's Choice:
Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula -
Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle
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Essential: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula -
Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle Essential: Carlsons Super Omega-3 250 - 1000 mg gelcaps -
Omega-3 250 gelcaps 1,000mg per gelcap - Natural Lemon Flavor Essential: Viteyes Complete -
Viteyes Complete is the most comprehensive eye multivitamin available, and serves both as a multivitamin and an eye multivitamin. Essential: Microcurrent Stimulation 100ile Purchase Option -
helps stimulate energy production (ATP) in the retina, improve circulation and reduce waste build-up. Very Important: MacuHealth with LMZ -
90 capsules (3 month supply) with10mg of meso-zeanthin per capsule. Meso-zeanthin is an essential antioxidant found in the macula (center of the retina). Very Important: CoQ10 & L-Carnitine 60 softgels -
CoQ10 & L-Carnitine 60 softgels - helps support healthy heart function and may improve retinal function in patients with age-related macular degeneration.
Helpful: Fruits N Greens 180 gm -
180 gram organic formula loaded with fruits, vegetables and herbs. Helpful: Pure Focus -
is a liquid based formula absorbed sublingually (under the tongue) for vision health. Recommended Vitamins, Supplements, Herbs & Other Nutritional Products
Since we consider most eye conditions to be a reflection of the health of the whole body, lifestyle choices and diet can play a major factor in getting and maintaining good vision. Below are some recommendations:
Diet & Nutrition
- Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin such as Dr. Grossman's Whole Food Multivitamin and/or a good green drink such as Nanogreens.
- The Vision Diet - recommended in Natural Eye Care: An Encyclopedia on CD, authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac. and Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac. This CD covers major eye conditions with specific nutrient, diet, exercise and juicing instructions by eye condition, plus much more.
- Eliminate deep fat fried foods
- Avoid monosodium glutanate (MSG) used as a flavor enhancer which is a potential retinal toxin (Inv Oph 1996; 37: 1618-24)
- Avoid fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22). Eating greater amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol also appear to increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
- Limit your alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine at night. Alcohol interferes with liver functions, reducing protective glutathione levels (Alcohol 1993;10;469-75).
Lifestyle & General Health
- Eliminate smoking. Smoking among other things produces cyanide, a retinal toxin.
- Limit the amount of medications (both prescription and non-prescription as much as possible. Make sure to work closely with your doctor.
- Exercise daily - do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Walking and swimming are two excellent forms of exercise.
- Manage your emotional health, which is very important in maintaining physical health. Fear (fear of failure, responsibility, of being alone, of death, etc.) is at the root of many of life's problems, and is a major factor in many diseases. Take up the practice of meditation, yoga, tai chi, walks in the woods or prayer on a daily basis.
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