Optic Nerve Atrophy

information on nutritional recommendations &: alternative treatment

The optic nerve carries images of what we see coded as electrical impulses, from the retina to our brain. The optic nerve is like a cable of more than a million tiny electrical wires, or nerve fibers each carrying a part of the visual information. If these nerve fibers become damaged, the brain doesn't get all the vision information and our sight becomes blurred.

The color of the optic disc is an indicator of eye health. "A normal optic disc as "orange to pink in colour. A pale disc is an optic disc which varies in colour from a pale pink or orange colour to white. A pale disc is an indication of a disease condition." (Source: Wikipedia)

Certain nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, vinpocetine, l-lysine, a number of vitamins & enzymes, and fish oil may help Optic Nerve Atrophy and preserve vision.
Some research indicates that daily use of Microcurrent Stimulation may help preserve vision as well.

Symptoms

The symptoms described here may not necessarily mean that you have optic nerve atrophy. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, contact your eye doctor for a complete exam.

Blurred vision
Decrease in visual function such as a decrease in sharpness and clarity of vision (visual acuity) or decreases in side (peripheral) vision. Color vision and contrast sensitivity can also be affected.
Poor constriction of the pupil in light
Decreased brightness in one eye relative to the other
Change in the optic disc

Nutritional Supplements for Optic Nerve Atrophy

These are the most important supplements and recommendations for pale optic nerve.

Shopping Tips

On a tight budget?

Here's our single most important recommendation:
Doctor's Choice: Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle Promotes clear vision and healthy eyes, including macula, retina and lens, supports healthy eye growth, and rejuvenation, and supports the body's natural detoxification processes with targeted, quality antioxidants for vision.

Discount Packages

Optic Nerve Support Package 1 (3-month supply) - This package includes Viteyes Complete (3 bottles), Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula (2 bottles), Organic Germanium (2 bottles). Savings of over $50 off retail pricing.

Optic Nerve Support Package 2 (3-month supply) - This package includes Viteyes Complete (3 bottles), Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula (2 bottles), Organic Germanium (2 bottles), Carlsons Super Omega-3 Gems 1000 mg - 250 softgels (1 bottle). Savings of over $60 off retail pricing.

Essential: Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle Promotes clear vision and healthy eyes, including macula, retina and lens, supports healthy eye growth, and rejuvenation, and supports the body's natural detoxification processes with targeted, quality antioxidants for vision.

Essential: Germanium (Organic) 150 mg 50 caps (GERMC) - Germanium (Organic) 150 mg 50 caps (GERMC)

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

Essential: Viteyes Complete - Viteyes Complete is the most comprehensive eye multivitamin available, and serves both as a multivitamin and an eye multivitamin.

Very Important: Carlsons Super Omega-3 Gems 1000 mg 130 softgels / 250 softgels - Super Omega-3 Gems 1000 mg 130 softgels / 250 softgels - Fish body oil is the only major source of the polyunsaturated Omega 3's EPA and DHA

Helpful: Pure Focus - Pure Focus is a liquid based formula absorbed sublingually (under the tongue) for vision health.

Helpful: Renewal Greens 10.6 oz - Comprehensive high quality all organic green drink for overall health. Includes organic vegetable blend, wheat grass blend and digestive enzymes

Causes

Most commonly, optic nerve atrophy simply occurs without a known or proven cause.

Possible causes of optic atrophy can range from trauma to systemic disorders. Some possible causes of optic atrophy include:

Optic neuritis. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. It may be associated with eye pain worsened by eye movement. It is more common in young to middle-aged women. Some patients with optic neuritis may develop multiple sclerosis later on in life.
Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. This is a disease of young men (late teens, early 20s), characterized by an onset over a few weeks of painless, severe, central visual loss in one eye, followed weeks or months later by the same process in the other eye. At first the optic disc may be slightly swollen, but eventually there is optic atrophy. The visual loss is generally permanent. This condition is hereditary. If a patient knows that Leber's runs in the family, genetic counseling should be considered.
Toxic optic neuropathy. Nutritional deficiencies and poisons can be associated with gradual vision loss and optic atrophy, or with sudden vision loss and optic disc swelling. Toxic and nutritional optic neuropathies are uncommon in the United States, but took on epidemic proportions in Cuba in 1992-1993. The most common toxic optic neuropathy is known as tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, thought to be caused by exposure to cyanide from tobacco smoking, and by low levels of vitamin B12 because of poor nutrition and poor absorption associated with drinking alcohol. Other possible toxins included ethambutol, methyl alcohol (moonshine), ethylene glycol (antifreeze), cyanide, lead, and carbon monoxide. Certain medications have also been implicated. Nutritional optic neuropathy may be caused by deficiencies of protein, or of the B vitamins and folate, associated with starvation, malabsorption, or alcoholism.
Glaucoma. Glaucoma may be caused by an increase of pressure inside the eye. This increased pressure may eventually affect the optic nerve if left untreated.
Compressive optic neuropathy. This is the result of a tumor or other lesion putting pressure on the optic nerve. Another possible cause is enlargement of muscles involved in eye movement seen in hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease).
Retinitis pigmentosa. This is a hereditary ocular disorder.
Syphilis. Left untreated, this disease may result in optic atrophy.

Conventional Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for optic atrophy. Once the nerve fibers in the optic nerve are lost they never heal or grow back. Therefore, the best defense is an early diagnosis because if the cause can be found and corrected, further damage can be prevented.

Self Help

We believe that the health of the whole body is reflected in the health of the eyes. Many eye conditions are tied to overall health. Lifestyle and dietary choice can play a big part in getting and maintaining good vision. Here's what we suggest:

Reduce or eliminate drinking caffeine and sodas
Avoid aspartame (labeled diet foods)
Avoid man made fats (corn oil and safflower oil, trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils including canola oil, and especially margarines). Eating greater amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol appear to increase the risk of retinal problems
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), and fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22).
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).
Eliminate smoking. Smoking among other things produces cyanide, a retinal toxin.
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.
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 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.

Research

Though there are no specific studies on nutrients and this particular condition, there is extensive research on nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin and bilberry among others that have been shown to be essential for the health of the optic nerve. Based on these studies, Dr. Grossman has selected specific nutrients and products to help support the optic nerve and overall eye health. Some of the research on glaucoma may be applicable.

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