Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding complication of diabetes that damages the eye's retina. It effects half of all Americans diagnosed with diabetes.

At first, you may notice no change in your vision, but don't let diabetic retinopathy fool you. The condition could get worse over the years and threaten your vision. With timely treatment, 90% of those with advanced diabetic retinopathy can be saved from blindness.

However, only 6% of diabetics lose their vision. Blindness is largely preventable if patient and the medical team work together diligently. Prevention relies upon the proper use of medications, daily blood sugar testing, correct lifestyle habits, diet and supplementation.

Certain nutrients such as gymnema sylvestra, vandal sulfate, lutein, zeaxanthin, a number of vitamins & enzymes, and fish oil may help those with diabetic retinopathy and may help to preserve vision.

Advanced Vision Care Formula

Just wanted to let you know how happy I am with the Advanced Eye and Vision formula. I am 62 years old and have been diabetic for a few years. A few months ago, I noticed my vision was starting to worsen. After a visit to my opthamologist for new glasses, he recommended my using eye vitamins. When I researched formulas on line, I was so pleased to find your holisitic formula. I have been taking your formula for the past few months and have noted a remarkable improvement in my vision. Grateful for this product, -- Francesca F. (09/10)

Symptoms

It is possible to have diabetic retinopathy for a long time before you realize it. In many cases, the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are not apparent until the retina has been quite damaged and your sight has been compromised.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and its complications may include:

Blurry or distorted vision
Difficulty reading
Eye floaters
Partial or total vision loss or what feels like a permanent shadow cast across your field of vision
Eye pain

Nutritional Supplements for Diabetic Retinopathy

These are the most important supplements and recommendations.

Shopping Tips

On a tight budget?

Here's our single most important recommendation:
Doctor's Choice: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (AEV) - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle

Essential: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (AEV) - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle

Essential: Grapeseed Extract (GRAP7) - Grape Seed Extract 120 capsules 100 mg of Grapeseed extract and 200 mg of rose (GRAP7)

Essential: Carlsons Super Omega-3 250 - 1000 mg gelcaps (SUP37) - Omega-3 250 gelcaps 1,000mg per gelcap - Natural Lemon Flavor (SUP37)

Essential: Alpha R-Lipoic Acid 60 - 50mg vcaps (ALP34) - Alpha R-Lipoic Acid 60 - 50mg vcapsules (bioactive ALA) (ALP34)

Essential: Retinal Support - 2oz - Retinal Support 2oz

Essential: GlycoEase Sublingual Formula - Helps improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar and supports the pancreas.

Very Important: Bilberry Extract (liquid form) 2 oz bottle (BILB4) - Bilberry Extract (liquid form) 2 oz bottle (BILB4)

Important: Microcurrent Stimulation 100ile Purchase Option - helps stimulate energy production (ATP) in the retina, improve circulation and reduce waste build-up.

Helpful: Serrazimes(R) 33 mg 90 vcaps (SERR3) - Serrazimes(R) 33 mg 90 vcaps (SERR3)

Helpful: MacuHealth with LMZ - MacuHealth with LMZ- 90 capsules per bottle (Kosher)

Helpful: Renewal Greens 10.6 oz (I40111) - Renewal Greens 10.6 oz (I40111)

Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy

Type I Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes) develops when the body produces too little insulin. This condition generally starts in childhood.
Type II Diabetes (Adult-Onset Diabetes) develop over many years, and is caused by the body either not producing enough insulin or not being able to utilize the insulin produced effectively.
Low serum magnesium in diabetic patients is an risk factor for diabetic retinopathy. See the research.

Conventional Treatment

There are two surgical treatments for diabetic retinopathy:

Laser Surgery is used to treat macula edema and proliferative retinopathy (advanced diabetic retinopathy). One type of laser treatment is "focal laser treatment", which seals the leaking vessels. Generally, laser surgery is used to stabilize vision, not necessarily to improve it.
The second type of laser surgery is "scatter laser treatment", used for proliferative retinopathy. This treatment shrinks the abnormal blood vessels. Often this can result in side vision loss.
Vitrectomy is an eye operation performed if you have a lot of blood in the vitreous (back of the eye). It involves removing the cloudy vitreous and replacing it with a salt solution. Early vitrectomy is especially effective in people with insulin-dependent diabetes, who may be at a greater risk of blindness from a hemorrhage into the eye.

Self Help for Diabetic Retinopathy

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 cultivating 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 Renewal Greens.
The Vision Diet - recommended in Natural Eye Care: An Encyclopedia on CD. This CD covers 29 major eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, and offers advice on nutrients, diet, exercise and juicing instructions specific to each eye condition, plus much more.
Daily juicing of vegetables and fruits (preferably organic). Our diabetes recipe is some combination of the following: ginger, garlic, asparagus, leeks, spinach, Jerusalem artichokes, parsley, pumpkin, beets, celery, cabbage, carrots, chlorophyll, raspberries (not too much fruit). See more information on juicing.
Drink 6-8 glasses of purified water daily.
Eat cold water fish (including mackerel, salmon, sardines) two to three times a week.
Increase fiber in your diet, and eat meals slowly.
Reduce or eliminate refined sugars, caffeine, and sodas
Avoid aspartame (foods labeled "diet")
Avoid man-made fats (corn oil and safflower oil, transfats and hydrogenated vegetable oils including canola oil).
Eliminate deep fat fried foods
Avoid monosodium glutanate (MSG), which is used as a flavor enhancer, because it is a potential retinal toxin (Inv Oph 1996; 37: 1618-24), and fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22).
Take digestive aids (in a natural form) if needed to improve digestion.

Lifestyle Changes

Limit your alcohol consumption to one glass of red wine at night. Alcohol interferes with liver functions, reducing protective glutathione levels (Alcohol 1993;10;469-75).
Eliminate smoking. Among other things, smoking produces cyanide, a retinal toxin.
Avoid cortisone. This drug elevates blood sugar.
Limit the amount of medications that you take(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 each day. Walking and swimming are two excellent forms of exercise.
Manage your stress; it's very important in maintaining physical health. Try meditation, yoga, tai chi, walks in nature, or prayer on a daily basis.