8 October was World Sight Day. It is celebrated annually on the second Thursday of October (Yes, we’re that far into October already!!).
When you are blessed with good vision, it is hard to think yourself into the lives of those who cannot see. Once in a while, however, it is a good idea to do so, just so you don’t take sight for granted.
Eye Spy – Some Eye Facts
• Upwards of two billion people globally suffer from some form of vision impairment or another. In most cases, the defect is easily remedied using corrective glasses or lenses.
• Total blindness affects ~43 million people globally.
• Moderate to severe vision impairment affects ~295 million people globally. Perspective: The population of the USA is ~340 million.
• More than three-quarters of the people who lose their sight didn’t have to. Their condition was preventable or treatable – they simply never got the care they needed.
Considering that severely visually impaired people are seldom able to function optimally in society, the social and economic impact on the globe is considerable.
Let’s look at some of the more common causes of vision loss, along with some (unusual and unexpected) holistic approaches to address them.
Refractive Errors
Refractive errors are eye conditions corrected by curved lenses – near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism. They account for the largest share of vision loss worldwide, and with the right glasses or contact lenses, most people function perfectly normally. In many developing countries, though, that simple fix remains out of reach.
Short-sightedness (myopia) is the most common, and rates are climbing steeply among young people – in some Asian countries, up to 80% of 20-year-olds are affected. The main culprit is indoor living and screen time. The eye is built to focus comfortably at around six metres and to shift focus constantly. Staring at a screen all day trains it to do neither.
Sunlight
In days past, children would only go to school at age 6 and play outdoors until then. Nowadays, children are popped into day care and crèches shortly after birth. The dim interior lighting, as well as the wavelengths of modern-day light bulbs, all contribute to poor eye development. Giving the gift of sunlight during the first decade of life is one of the best things you can do for a child’s eyes.
In a series of studies since 2017, Japanese researchers found that violet light (360 – 400 nm, right at the edge of UV but still within the visible spectrum) suppressed the progression of myopia. Children who wore glasses which block it had their eyes elongate faster than children wearing contact lenses (which let it through).
The researchers traced this to a violet-sensitive photoreceptor in the retina (OPN5). When they measured violet light around Tokyo, they found it was abundant outdoors and essentially absent indoors, since glass windows filter it out.
Outdoors
If you’re a South African, you probably think that “sunshine” and “outdoors” are the same thing, but this is not true for many other parts of the world. Being outdoors during the first decade of life (and thereafter) carries with it major eye-health benefits. In the case of refractive errors like myopia, the eye muscles have to work overtime to keep focusing the lens of the eye on different objects all the time. These nature-induced “eye exercises” ensure that the eye is able to focus both near and far. Children who grow up mostly outdoors rarely need glasses.
Screens
Screens do the opposite of what nature does. In decades past, it was well recognised that children who spend a lot of time reading books needed glasses more often than those who did not. When screens came along, this fixed-distance problem was made much worse, since children spend much more time on television and smart screens than they ever did reading books.
As the developing eye of a child is now only fixed at the same distance for long periods of time and barely moves even from side to side (as in reading a book), the eye muscles get “lazy”. Adjusting to different focal lengths, especially at a distance, becomes increasingly difficult, requiring corrective lenses.
Eye Exercises
Eye exercises (also known as orthoptic exercises) are sometimes promoted to slow down myopia progression, but there is no conclusive scientific evidence that they work (and no financial incentive to investigate them, either).
The Bates Method dates back 130+ years but has not been verified scientifically.
(Sir) Paul McCartney claims that “eye yoga” is the reason he still does not need glasses at 78 years of age. That is definitely an eye-catching claim. Here is a (gentle) debunking video by Dr Joseph Allen that also explains how to do “pencil push ups”.
Since it cannot do any harm, it is probably worth incorporating orthoptic exercises into a myopic child’s daily routine. There are many online resources for this, but most of them require you to stare at a screen while doing the exercises, which is pointless. Opt for something like “pencil push-ups” and similar that can be done offline.
Low Dose Atropine
Low-dose atropine eye drops may be used to help slow the progression of myopia in children. By slowing eye growth and widening the pupil, the focusing apparatus in the eye is forced to work harder. Several large-scale studies confirm the benefit of this treatment.
A dilution of 0.05% atropine seems to be the best balance between effectiveness and tolerability. The main side effect is sensitivity to bright light, which is why dosing is typically done at night. It must be emphasised that this is not a cure; it only slows down myopia progression. Low-dose atropine preparations are not easily available, however, and require a compounding pharmacist to produce.
Cataracts
Cataracts are the world’s leading cause of total blindness. ~17 million people fall into this category, or ~40% of blind people. Globally, ~100 million people suffer from cataracts, most of them in their 60s and beyond. ~60% of these are women.
Nowadays, cataract surgery is easily possible if you have access to basic healthcare facilities. However, much of the world lives outside the reach of even such a simple and basic service, which is why it remains the #1 leading cause of blindness globally.
Let’s take a closer look at risks and benefits linked to cataracts.
Sunlight / UVB Rays
Everyone knows that UVB rays (from the sun) cause cataracts. In fact, a multi-billion-dollar industry of UV-blocking sunglasses is built around this premise. Almost nobody knows that there are different types of cataracts, however. This is where things turn dark…
UVB exposure increases the risk for developing cortical cataracts. Cortical cataracts are cataracts that develop around the outside of the lens and radiate inwards over time. These white spokes cause light scattering at night, which is distracting, but not blinding.
The thing is, UVB exposure is a minor risk factor in developing cortical cataracts. Despite Americans being the world’s largest consumer of sunglasses, the rate of cortical cataracts as a percentage of the total number of cataracts, and adjusted for an ageing population, has not changed in half a century. In other words, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses made no difference to cataract prevalence. Zip. Zilch. Zero. Nada.
We will look at UVB again further down.
Age
Age is the single biggest risk factor for developing all types of cataracts, including nuclear cataracts. Nuclear cataracts are the most common type of cataract and the major cause of blindness. They develop from the inside out and thus hinder sharp vision from early on.
While there isn’t any cure for birthdays on the horizon just yet, the true problem is not how old your chronology is, but how old your body is (biological age).
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Smoking is a major risk factor for all types of cataracts (and many other eye diseases). Smoking ages the body by damaging proteins, including those in the lens of the eye.
Diet
Age and diet are closely linked in many ways. Getting older biologically is largely a function of proteins getting glycated (“sugar-coated”) and DNA unravelling. “Glycation” means that proteins get covered in sugars, which hampers their function. Unravelling DNA means that the body’s ability to replace ageing proteins slows down, too.
Despite what the “instant energy” ads tell you, the body was never built to run on sugars as a main source of fuel. Ask any Egyptologist. Mummies from ancient Egypt confirm that they mainly ate grains (organically grown, whole wheat, and stone-ground) and died below the age of 40, with evidence of modern diseases like diabetes present. On average, hunter-gatherer populations (eating mostly animal products and vegetables) reach almost double that age (once you account for infant mortality). Hunter-gatherers who spend their entire life under the harsh African sun typically only develop cataracts after the age of 60 – the same age bracket as those sunglass-wearing Americans.
The more sugar and starch in the diet, the faster the proteins glycate – and the faster the body ages. This protein glycation also affects the lens of the eye, causing cataracts (mostly nuclear, but also cortical).
Gender
Cataracts affect women disproportionately. Part of the reason is that, on average, women live longer than men and thus have more time to develop cataracts. However, even when adjusting for age, a disparity remains.
Part of this disparity is explained by the fact that postmenopausal women have increased insulin resistance, leading to increased protein glycation. Another possibility is that the loss of anti-oxidant oestrogen leads to faster ageing. In men, protective testosterone production continues for much longer.
Medication
Certain prescription medications are known to increase the risk of cataracts. Chief among them are the steroids, like cortisone and prednisone, which are commonly prescribed for a wide range of ailments. Statins, used to lower cholesterol, are also known to increase the risk for cataracts moderately. Insulin use (as in diabetes) is also linked to a higher risk for cataracts, as are some psychiatric medications.
DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)
DMSO is a substance extracted from wood. It has remarkable healing properties, including being a potent anti-inflammatory. It contributes to rapid healing of bodily tissues.
Numerous anecdotes exist of people who used DMSO to clear cataracts. No human studies have been done, but a 1969 mouse study showed that DMSO eye drops protected their eyes from developing cataracts after X-ray irradiation.
There is no consensus about how DMSO should be used for cataracts, but eye drops are most commonly reported to work well. A minimum treatment period of 6 months is recommended before expecting results. Do not try this at home; get a pharmacist to help.
Glaucoma
In glaucoma, the optic nerve is damaged due to increased fluid pressure inside the eye. Early detection through routine screening and medicated eye drops or laser treatment can halt or slow progression.
If left untreated, peripheral vision is lost (tunnel vision), gradually encroaching on central vision until the eye is completely blind. A range of pressure-reducing eye drops are typically prescribed, which help slow the process but don’t stop or reverse it. Surgery, including laser surgery, may bring relief, although not for everyone.
Diet
Like cataracts, glaucoma is usually a disease of ageing, although it involves a very different mechanism. It is thought that underlying inflammation is a major contributor to glaucoma. As such, a diet low in sugar, starch, wheat and seed oils (heat-processed sunflower, canola or safflower oils) will likely slow the progression of glaucoma.
Medication
Steroids are well known to increase intra-ocular pressure over time. There are other medicines that also increase intra-ocular pressure, but steroids are the worst offenders.
DMSO
There are no human studies supporting the use of DMSO in the treatment of glaucoma, but a 1967 study showed that DMSO significantly reduced intra-ocular pressure in rabbits treated with glaucoma-inducing steroids.
Diabetic Retinopathy
This is a long-term complication of diabetes (both types 1 and 2). High blood glucose levels damage tiny blood vessels in the retina of the eye.
Diet
Type 2 diabetes control can be vastly improved by diet and lifestyle approaches, which will reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy.
DMSO
A recent (2025) study in rats with toxin-induced diabetes investigated the effectiveness of various potencies of DMSO in dealing with diabetic retinopathy. A potency of 50% showed significant benefit relative to the control group.
It is hard to extrapolate from this study to humans, but the results seem promising. Considering that DMSO has no long-term negative side effects, it can do no harm to use it.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD refers to the deterioration of the central portion of the retina with age. Treatment usually involves injections directly into the eye. Outcomes vary a lot and are not predictable in advance.
Age
As with cataracts, age effects can be minimised by lifestyle changes.
Smoking
Smoking is a clear and modifiable risk factor for AMD.
Screens
There is mounting evidence that exposure to screens increases the risk of developing AMD.
Artificial lighting
Duration of time spent under artificial lighting, especially neon tubes and LEDs, is linked with an increased risk of developing AMD. Conversely, spending more time outdoors in direct sunlight is not linked to an increased risk of developing AMD.
Diet
There is circumstantial evidence that the modern (Standard American) diet is linked to a rapid rise in AMD prevalence. Populations that follow traditional diets have a stable, low incidence of AMD, while AMD has exploded in Western populations.
Super-Supplementation
The Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2) are major clinical trials by the National Eye Institute that proved specific high-dose vitamin formulas can slow the progression of intermediate-to-advanced AMD by about 25%. (Link1) (Link2)
The original AREDS trial (AREDS1) tested if antioxidant vitamins and minerals slow AMD and cataract progression.
– Formula
Vitamin C (500 mg)
Vitamin E (400 IU)
Beta-carotene (15 mg)
Zinc (80 mg)
Copper (2 mg)
This formula reduced the 5-year risk of progression to advanced AMD by 25% in people with intermediate or advanced AMD in one eye. However, it was found that beta-carotene significantly increased the risk of lung cancer in current and former smokers. Therefore, a new formula was designed.
The AREDS2 trial tested if adding or substituting nutrients (lutein/zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids) would improve the original formula or make it safer.
The results showed that adding omega-3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA) did not produce benefits in slowing AMD progression. Lutein (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (2 mg) safely replaced beta-carotene, avoiding the lung cancer risk for smokers while providing an effective alternative. Lowering the zinc dose to 25 mg did not change the formula’s efficacy.
Other Nutrients
Magnesium and some of the B vitamins (especially B6, B9 and B12) have been linked to lower rates of AMD. Lower vitamin D blood levels are associated with a higher risk of developing AMD. From current research, it is not clear whether vitamin D supplementation will impact AMD rates or progression, but it can do no harm to add it to your daily supplement stack.
DMSO
The build-up of waste from retinal cells (which are shed and renewed daily) plays a major role in macular degeneration. Normally, a layer of cells behind the retina (the retinal pigment epithelium [RPE]) absorbs and breaks down this waste, but when it weakens, the waste builds up and kills retinal cells. DMSO likely prevents this source of vision loss both by directly removing the debris from the retina and possibly also through increasing the activity of one of the enzymes used by RPE cells to break down waste.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
An intriguing 2008 publication from Germany found that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) safely reversed vision loss in patients with AMD. Three months after receiving only four LLLT treatments within a two-week period, the average vision improvement was 3 lines on the Snellen chart. This benefit persisted for years afterwards. Some patients reported much greater vision improvements. (Link)
In this study, a wavelength of 780 nm was used, with a strength of 7.5 mW. Patients stared straight into the laser for 40 seconds per treatment.
We managed to source these lasers, and you can buy them here. It runs off a USB port.
Note: We cannot make claims regarding efficacy but can vouch for the safety of using this device. We recommend you discuss this matter with your optician or ophthalmologist first, showing them the published research and having a baseline examination done.
Spotlight On Sunlight
For thirty years sunlight has been given a bad rap — blamed for everything from cancer to cataracts. When COVID struck, people were told to stay indoors, yet patients who disobeyed and went outside mostly found themselves recovering faster. A century ago sunlight was still the darling of good health. Today we are told to shun it at all costs.
Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) knew better. She placed direct sunlight as one of five pillars in her environmental theory of healing, alongside fresh air, pure water, efficient drainage and cleanliness, and she campaigned for hospital wards with large windows and cross-ventilation. She noted that patients in east-facing rooms recovered faster than those in darker, west-facing spaces — something studies have since confirmed, with east-facing wards cutting recovery times by several days (which is perhaps why no self-respecting modern hospital appears to have east-facing wards).
Daily sunlight — ideally around midday — is virtually impossible to overstate. Morning and late-afternoon exposure also counts, and fair-skinned people obviously need to use common sense, but sunlight is medicine for body, mind and soul. We have turned our backs on the sun, and we are paying for it with our health.
John Nash Ott (1909–2000) was a time-lapse photography pioneer whose work led him to the relationship between light and life. Though not a doctor, he found that the spectrum of light entering the eye had profound health effects, which he attributed to the pineal gland. Sunlight produced better mood and nurturing behaviour in both humans and animals; artificial light caused aggression. When UV lighting was introduced into a troubled workplace, co-operation replaced conflict almost immediately. In schools, it significantly improved children’s behaviour and academic achievement. Ott eventually linked cancers to unhealthy indoor lighting and reported treating them successfully with sunlight and full-spectrum light.
Dry Eyes
Although dry eyes are a relatively uncommon cause of blindness, we list it here because it is such a common problem and the treatment options are mostly ineffective. Those suffering from dry eyes know how debilitating this can be, even if it doesn’t affect vision directly.
There are many causes of dry eyes, but a dry, dusty environment is one of the most important. Preservatives in eye drops are another common cause of dry eyes. Vitamin A deficiency causes severe dry eyes.
Serum
Serum drops are the “gold standard” of dry eye care. It entails having your blood drawn, the serum separated and then put into dropper bottles for regular administration. As you can imagine, this is very expensive.
Castor Oil Drops
There is anecdotal evidence that castor oil provides long-term lubrication for the eye. It is usually used at night due to the fact that it can cause temporary blurry vision.
DMSO eye drops
Many anecdotes support the use of low-dose DMSO eye drops for dry eyes. A strength of 3 – 10% seems to be best tolerated.
Milk Eye Drops
Here is a rather unusual (but totally safe) folk remedy for dry eyes, but worth trying:
– Take a small (250 ml) box of UHT (“long life”) full-cream milk.
– Use the supplied straw and your index finger to suck up a drop of this milk.
– Drip the milk into each eye.
– Repeat twice a day, or more often if needed.
– Keep the milk in the fridge between uses.
– After a day (or two), drink the rest of the milk and open a new unit.
– Repeat until your eyes feel better.
If you have a dropper bottle, you can clean and sterilise the bottle and pour the milk into it for easier administration.
Let us know if this remedy worked or not.
Sight At The End Of The Tunnel
There are many other sight-threatening eye conditions, but we trust you found hope and inspiration in these paragraphs. Sight is a precious gift not to be taken for granted. There is much that can be done to preserve vision. In most cases, the power to heal is already around us – for free.
We are proud to launch a brand new product!
If you put one drop into each eye twice daily, one unit will last you two months. Keep refrigerated.
The DMSO is diluted in Deuterium Depleted Water (DDW), which has healing properties in its own right. We use chlorine dioxide as a preservative, which is safe and non-irritating. If kept in the fridge, shelf life is 6 months.
To your (bright) health
The Team at Integrow Health
