Some supplements can damage eyes
Many herbal remedies and nutritional supplements can damage the eyes, including some alternative therapies that are used by people trying to correct eye problems, new research reports. Study author Dr. Frederick Fraunfelder explains that supplements become dangerous to the eyes when people take them in large doses. They can cause problems including severe conjunctivitis, eye irritation, retinal bleeding and temporary loss of vision.
Tell your doctor what you take, as these products interact with other drugs. Recognize that even herbal products and nutritional supplements have adverse reactions. People who choose to take supplements that can damage eyes should schedule an eye exam before beginning the treatment, then visit an eye doctor every year to monitor their eyes.
Most people are unaware of how damaging supplements can be to the eyes. Most consumers assume because a product is naturally occurring it is safe. As a result, about 40% of people who use alternative therapies do not discuss them with their doctors.
The researcher uncovered seven cases in which people rinsed their eyes with chamomile tea to treat styes and irritation, and instead developed severe conjunctivitis. Echinacea is widely touted as useful for treating the common cold and flu, but seven cases were found in which users developed irritation and conjunctivitis after using it topically. The researcher also discovered five cases of temporary vision loss apparently caused by licorice consumption, and 71 cases of niacin causing eye problems.
Fraunfelder notes that vitamin A is a particularly big threat to the eyes at high doses, and ginkgo biloba, a blood thinner, can cause retinal bleeding when combined with other blood thinners. Most people were using the supplements for reasons unrelated to their eyes, including arthritis, inflammation and digestive problems.
In short, tell your physician about every herbal supplement that you may be using…and go for your professional eye examination to ensure that everything is alright (or otherwise) with your eyes – the most precious sense organ. more
Tell your doctor what you take, as these products interact with other drugs. Recognize that even herbal products and nutritional supplements have adverse reactions. People who choose to take supplements that can damage eyes should schedule an eye exam before beginning the treatment, then visit an eye doctor every year to monitor their eyes.
Most people are unaware of how damaging supplements can be to the eyes. Most consumers assume because a product is naturally occurring it is safe. As a result, about 40% of people who use alternative therapies do not discuss them with their doctors.
The researcher uncovered seven cases in which people rinsed their eyes with chamomile tea to treat styes and irritation, and instead developed severe conjunctivitis. Echinacea is widely touted as useful for treating the common cold and flu, but seven cases were found in which users developed irritation and conjunctivitis after using it topically. The researcher also discovered five cases of temporary vision loss apparently caused by licorice consumption, and 71 cases of niacin causing eye problems.
Fraunfelder notes that vitamin A is a particularly big threat to the eyes at high doses, and ginkgo biloba, a blood thinner, can cause retinal bleeding when combined with other blood thinners. Most people were using the supplements for reasons unrelated to their eyes, including arthritis, inflammation and digestive problems.
In short, tell your physician about every herbal supplement that you may be using…and go for your professional eye examination to ensure that everything is alright (or otherwise) with your eyes – the most precious sense organ. more
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I agree...but for poor patients there are Government hospitals where treatment (and sometimes medicines as well) are free - Dr Narendra Kumar more
Mar 10
Thanks Dr. Narendra Kumar ji. No patient can be safe if they resort to advise from friends, other patients and medical shop owners for their problems. I have, on several occasions seen patients asking for medicines for their problems from the medical shop owners and the shop owners merrily selling the medicines without any prescriptions. The reason is very apparent...the high cost of consultations and consequent lab tests the patients have to undergo. Consulting a doctor for an upset stomach or cold or cough could cost the patient several hundred rupees, and if medicines are taken from the shop owner, would cost the patient just a few rupees. This is a harsh truth faced by a poor and bpl patients and many a times even by educated people without giving a thought to the complications that could arise by trying to save a few rupees. more
Mar 09
Allopathic medicines even in moderation may well be having side effects, but these are generally taken on a physician's advice (except where someone goes for these on the advice of a friend or a family member...which is wrong). Herbal/ayurvedic supplements are consumed (many-a-times in excess) under the presumption that these are `safe' - Dr. Narendra Kumar more
Mar 09
Why target only herbal and other alternative systems of medicine ? Does any allopathic medicine help the patient when people take them in large doses. The quote " explains that supplements become dangerous to the eyes when people take them in large doses. They can cause problems including severe conjunctivitis, eye irritation, retinal bleeding and temporary loss of vision. " should be applicable for any and every system of medicine including allopathic, that any or a group of drugs taken in excessive doses can cause dangerous problems in the body. I am sure Dr. Narendra Kumar agrees. more
Mar 08
