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Page vii

Foreword

The world is changing. Our concepts of Western medicine have shifted over the past several years, and we are demanding much more of our health care providers. The reductionist mentality of referring each symptom to the domain of a particular specialist, isolated from the whole person, is being replaced slowly with more complementary forms of health care. We are beginning to look at the whole person, his or her dietary preferences, exercise regimens, the types of relationships they are engaged in, as well as the particular symptoms that brought them in for treatment in the first place.

It has been my privilege and pleasure to have worked with Dr. Grossman for the past several years, and (pardon the pun), he has opened my eyes to seeing vision problems in an entirely new light. He believes that our eyesight doesn't happen in a vacuum, but rather has its roots in our total being, our genetic makeup, the food we eat, our work environment and exposure to airborne toxins, as well as our general belief systems about ourselves and the world we live in. Each of us is unique and literally takes the world in through our senses, primarily vision; moreover, the way we take in our world is, to some degree, a reflection of who we are and which symptoms we might manifest.

Using their broad background in optometry, nutrition, traditional Chinese and herbal medicine, Drs. Grossman and Swartwout give readers specific strategies for regaining control of their vision and their health in general. They address all manner of eye diseases, from dry eyes through glaucoma and macular degeneration and give specific easy-to-follow protocols with which readers can begin their own process of healing.

This exceptional book will open your eyes to the power that lies within you.

Page viii

It will reconnect you to the basic truth that the body's own natural wisdom, given the right nourishment (beliefs, foods, herbs, supplements) will heal itself. Natural Eye Care offers a bridge where Western medicine and Eastern healing wisdom can come together to help the whole person heal, and more importantly, stay well.

JASON ELIAS, M.A., L.AC., CO-AUTHOR OF THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF SELF-HEALING, FEMININE HEALING AND THE A-Z GUIDE TO HEALING HERBAL REMEDIES

Page ix

Preface

Natural Eye Care offers a unique approach to improving vision from birth to old age, as well as a method for not only preventing vision problems but for understanding vision in its totality. Filled with the wisdom and insight of both ancient and modern-day healers, Natural Eye Care integrates the full range of alternative therapies as they apply to vision and vision disorders.

As a practical manual, this book will help you make safe, sensible choices in your vision care. Chapters devoted to major eye disorders, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and dry eyes, describe both the standard Western medical approach to treatment and the alternative methods, such as specific herbal remedies, acupressure points, nutritional advice (vitamin and mineral supplements), vision therapy and homeopathy.

You will learn about the underlying causes of common visual problems and be given tools and techniques to write your own prescription for healing. If a particular problem or cluster of symptoms indicates a need for more conventional treatment, you are given explicit, individualized guidance to help choose a doctor who will best meet your needs.

Vision problems are multiplying at epidemic proportions in our society. Natural Eye Care will show people how to become active participants in their own vision care, giving back the power and responsibility they have so trustingly handed over to their eye doctors. Our primary goal is to offer a practical approach to vision care based on an underlying philosophy that emphasizes prevention rather than cure. In doing so, we celebrate the healing power within all of us and the mind/body's inherent potential for self-healing.

The eye care industry is a multibillion dollar business. Glasses, contact lenses,