Healthy eyesight: Luteins, red wine and computers

I went to the optometrist today for my first time in all my years—having 20/20 vision all my life—because I noticed that in the last year or so, I am no longer able to read the fine print on my iPhone. For that matter, I cannot focus on anything anymore that is within a one-foot distance from my eyes. This is new for me.

Short of getting reading glasses, which I'm actually excited about for the first time in my life, I wanted to get a detailed eye exam to find out the real scoop on my eyes and get an expert opinion on how to proceed.

To make a long story short, I was prescribed luteins. Or should I say, more luteins, in other words, red wine. As a red wine enthusiast (both consumer and wine-tasting tour-vacationer), I am continually happy to hear of the health benefits of my beverage of choice. My only alcoholic beverage, in fact.

red wine grapesI already knew that the properties (mainly resveratrol) in red wine act as a strong antioxidant as well as an assistant to the prevention of Alzimer's provoking the brain connections to kick into a new gear that prolongs great thought, and I'm all for a little cheer to contribute to my brain energy. And, I'm now reminded today that red wine produces these wonderful luteins which are good for the eyes.

What are luteins exactly? Synthesized only by plants, lutein is a naturally occurring carotenoid—an organic pigment which absorbs blue light and which, in humans, acts as an antioxidant. In the eye, lutein directly absorbs damaging blue and ultraviolet light as a protection mechanism. Found in not only red grapes but also dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, the eyes benefit from the retina shield provided. Lutein is found in the human eye and is responsible for central vision. 

Constant, focused attention on a computer is not doing my eyes any favors, namely their natural ability to focus in 3-D. Another part of my prescription today was to spend more time in nature, stopping to focus on the depth of field of my surroundings (along with "pencil push-ups", a quick at-home eye exercise, whereby I allow my eyes to focus on an object close to me after focusing 20 feet or further away).  

With my recessive genes, apparently I am at higher risk for macular degeneration to follow. Studies have shown that an increase in pigmentation decreases the risk for this eye disease. A solution can be found in my lifestyle and diet. 

Lifestyle: Computer work is not my friend. With a computer-related occupation, every 20 minutes, I should look away from the screen and focus 20 feet away on depth perception, bringing myself back into the 3-D world.

Diet: I should eat dark leafy greens, dark berries, dark chocolate cacao, green tea, black beans, red wine and 10 glasses of water per day.

What you focus on in a given day, matters... (of course, this statement spans many disciplines)

Cheers...

© 2012 R.E.L. Copywriting