Nutrition For The Eyes
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org,
please feel free to visit the school website)
Written by Brooke Gibson
“The eyes are the windows to the soul.”
—old English proverb
The eyeball is a sphere about an inch in diameter that is covered by a tough outer layer called the sclera, the “white of the eye.” Underneath the sclera is the middle layer of the eye, the choroid, which contains the blood vessels that serve the eye. The front of the eye is covered by a transparent membrane called the cornea. There is a fluid-filled chamber behind the cornea called the anterior chamber. In the center of the sclera, on the front of the eyeball, is the highly-pigmented iris, and in the center of the iris is the pupil. The lens is transparent and located behind the iris. At the back of the eye on the inside is the retina, a delicate light-sensitive membrane that is connected to the brain by the optic nerve.
Maintaining healthy eyes is just as important as maintaining general body nutrition. In Prescription For Nutritional Healing (1997), Phyllis and James Balch state, “In addition to making sure that the eyes are not strained by too much intense close work or inadequate light, proper eye care includes a healthy diet containing sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals.” The Balch’s recommend a diet containing the right amount of B vitamins, vitamins A, C, and E, as well as selenium and zinc. And how does one get these nutrients in the diet? Fresh fruits and vegetables are good sources of these vitamins and minerals, especially yellow and yellow-orange foods such as carrots, yams, and cantaloupes. There are many different problems that can happen with the eyes including: bags under the eyes, Bitot’s spots, blepharities, bloodshot eyes, blurred vision, cataracts, colorblindness, conjunctivitis (pink eye), corneal ulcer, diabetic retinopathy, dimness/loss of vision, dry eyes, eyestrain, floaters, glaucoma, itchy/tired eyes, macular degeneration, mucus in the eyes, photophobia, retinitis pigmentosa, shingles (herpes zoster), scotoma, stye, thinning eyelashes, ulcerated eyelid, vascular retinopathy, and xerophthalmia (Prescription For Nutritional Healing). If you have any of these problems and are looking for specific ways to correct them, I’d recommend checking out the book that I’ve been sourcing from or any other good nutrition/herb book.
One herb that is a definitive helper for sore eyes is aptly named Eyebright. It can be used as an eyewash and prevents secretion of fluids, also relieving discomfort from eyestrain or minor irritation. It is good for allergies, itchy and/or watery eyes, and runny nose. It is also used to combat hay fever.
There is a medical science known as iridology that is based on reading the markings in the iris of the eye. From Cleanse And Purify Thyself (2000) by Richard Anderson we find, “Each point of the iris reveals the condition of a corresponding part of the body. It reflects the various stages of cellular health: acute, subacute, chronic and degeneration.” Since Anderson’s book is based on cleansing and fasting, he further says, “When people cleanse deeply, all the way to the cellular level, changes will reflect in the iris… Every unnatural aspect found in the iris indicates two important facts: stuck emotions and toxicity.” Iridology is fascinating, and may be a legitimate way of diagnosing illness or imbalance in the body. Check it out for yourself and see what you think.