Everyone takes eyesight for granted until their sight is much less than 20/20. I was the same until an afternoon in 2001. During a one repetition maximum bench press, I ruptured blood vessels in the back of my eye supplying my retina. After observation and testing by an ophthalmologist neurologist. It was recommended that I undergo laser treatment to cauterize the blood vessels. At this point, the prognosis was quite good. After several treatments and weeks later, I developed a stomach virus and from vomiting so violently the blood vessels burst more severely resulting in blood clots behind both eyes. This produced blindness and the need for a vitrectomy. Vitrectomy is surgery to remove some or all the vitreous humor from the eye. Pars plana vitrectomy is a general term for a group of operations accomplished deep in the eye which involves removing some or all the vitreous humor which is a clear internal gel.
Surgical steps involved as part of a vitrectomy may include membranectomy, fluid air exchange, air gas exchange, silicon oil injection, photocoagulation, scleral buckling, or lensectomy. Membranectomy is removal of layers of tissue from the retina with tiny instruments including forceps, picks, and microdissection instruments. Fluid air exchange as the name implies is injection of air into the eye to remove intraocular fluid while maintaining intraocular pressure to temporarily hold the retina in place or seal off holes in the retina. The air pressure is temporary as the posterior segment will refill with fluid. The injection of gas or mixed gas and air into this segment may be used. The typical gases are perflouropropane or sulfur hexafluoride. These gases are mixed with air to minimize expansive properties to provide a longer lasting retinal tamponade. This retinal tamponade acts to hold the retina in place temporarily and seal off holes in the retina. The mixed gases disappear spontaneously, and the posterior segment replenishes the fluid. Silicon oil injection refers to filling the eye with liquid silicon to hold the retina in place. Photocoagulation is the process of using a laser to seal off holes in the retina or shrink unhealthy damaging blood vessels. Scleral buckling is placement of a support around the walls of the eye to maintain the retina in the attached proper position. Lensectomy is removal of the lens. Lens replacement many times are possible. Conditions that may benefit from vitrectomy are retinal detachment, macular pucker, diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, vitreous hemorrhage, and vitreous floaters.
The return of eyesight after vitrectomy surgery depends on the underlying conditions before the surgery. If there is blood in an otherwise healthy eye, a vitrectomy may restore good vision. More serious conditions with retinal damage or detachment can result in sight decrements with only sufficient vision to safely walk known as ambulatory vision or less. After four surgeries on my left and two on my right eye, I have experienced most of these surgical techniques. Retinal damage has caused sizeable loss of my field of vision in my left eye. The right eye has limited blood flow remaining to the optic nerve which is never a great prognosis. I see a series of dots in my field of vision resembling something like what is experienced after the flash bulb of a camera. These surgeries and conditions have promoted macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is deterioration of the macula. The macula is a small central area of the retina that controls visual acuity. The macula controls the ability to read, recognize faces, drive, watch television, use a computer, or any visual tasks requiring detail.
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss among older Americans. Approximately sixty-five percent of Americans over forty years of age or older have some degree of macular degeneration. Research suggests that there were 9.1 million cases in the United States as of the year 2010. My circumstances and conditions have limited my ability to see well, but there has not been much change to the back of my eyes or condition for almost a decade. Although my eyesight is not very good, a recent lens replacement, better blood sugar levels through trials and tribulations with my endocrinologist, and strict adherence to beneficial foods has benefitted my prognosis and improved my vision. After everything I have been through over many years, the subject of eye function and visual health is very important to me.
There are several foods that will be presented that have helped me and hopefully will help you maintain eye health and visual acuity. Research supports the idea that foods abundant in lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the risk of chronic eye disease. Other studies show that a diet abundant in vitamin C, beta-carotene, zinc, and omega-3 fatty-acids can prevent the risk of chronic eye disease. Kale contains cancer fighting antioxidants and vitamins. It is a good source of beta-carotene and a combination of lutein and zeaxanthin benefiting the eyes greatly. Corn also contains these two substances. Research discovered the longer it was cooked increased the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin levels per serving. Spinach also contains lutein and zeaxanthin. Cooking greens helps the absorption of lutein. Broccoli has fiber, vitamin C, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin promoting eyesight significantly. Eggs contain protein, lutein, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and other vitamins and nutrients. Specific eggs may also be better. Eggland's Best eggs have thirty-eight percent more lutein and ten times more vitamin E, and almost double the amount of omeg-3 fatty acids than regular eggs. Oranges are known to be a great source of vitamin C which may improve the tissues of the eye. Vitamin C may help replenish many other important antioxidants like vitamin E. I do not take my eyesight for granted anymore and you should not either. These foods may help your vision and eye health. Please visit tpnperfectbodiest.com. Our site provides the fastest and very best features in nutrition software.