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more of a yin supportive function. This herb supports immune function, counteracts fatigue and balances blood sugar levels (which indirectly support the eyes).

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a moistening and tonifying herb. Traditionally used in Chinese medicine as a "unifying" herb, it helps bring out and harmonize the actions of other herbs. Plus, licorice has been shown repeatedly to support and balance adrenal function; therefore, it can be an important anti-inflammatory agent.

Herbs that regulate hormone levels may help people with dry eye syndrome because tear production and the function of the Meibomian or tarsal glands (oil glands that help prevent the eyelids from sticking together) are dependent on systemic hormone levels. Androgens and progesterone, for example, seem to be key for the proper functioning of the lacrimal glands.

Logically, then, herbs that help regulate these hormones could improve dry eye symptoms (for example, for postmenopausal women). These herbs include:

Damiana (Turnesa aphrodisiaca or diffusa) strengthens the hormonal system and contains an alkaloid that acts like testosterone.

Vitex (Agnus castus), known also as chaste tree berry or chasteberry, stimulates the production of progesterone.

Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies are most effective when they are prescribed on an individualized basis, taking into account the condition of the whole patient, not just one symptom or another. We recommend consulting a qualified homeopath if the following remedies do not help.

We generally prescribe four remedies for patients with dry eyes: Silicea, Euphrasia, Apis and Similisan #1 (or #2 if allergic).

Silicea 6C is prescribed if the person is experiencing excessive watering of the eyes, which may be due to a lack of mucin or to a blocked tear duct. This leads to dry spots that stimulate nerve reflexes to produce more tears in an attempt to

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rewet the cornea, which contains more nerve endings per square millimeter than any other part of the body.

Euphrasia is prescribed when the eyes tend to water with a burning sensation or if they feel very dry (as if there is sand in them). The lids may also be red.

Apis is prescribed when the eyes feel very dry and hot. In this case, the tearing will also feel hot and the eyes will be red.

Similisan (homeopathic eye drops) are available in two forms for those with dry eyes: Similisan #1 containing Belladonna 6x, Euphrasia 6x, and Mercuris 6x; and Similisan #2, containing Apis 6x, Euphrasia 6x, and Sabidilla 6x, for allergic irritation.

Emotions and Dry Eyes

See Chapter 1 for general information on emotional health as it relates to your eyes. One researcher found that the level of a stress chemical found in tears (called prolactin) may play a role in determining whether dry eyes will develop. When prolactin levels drop after menopause, women sometimes suffer from dry eye syndrome. Drugs that retard prolactin production have also been found to produce dry eye syndrome.

Case Study

Betty P. was a 62-year-old woman complaining of dry eyes. Her visual acuity without glasses was 20/20 right eye, 20/20 left eye. For near vision she needed glasses of a prescription of +2.50 in each eye. Her intraocular pressures were both normal. Her optic disk was within normal limits in both eyes. Six months before, she had seen another eye doctor, who had prescribed artificial tears. She said that the drops felt good when she put them in but within 15 minutes, her eyes were dry again. He spoke of the possibility of punctal occlusion but she decided against it.

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Our approach began by unraveling the underlying causes of the dryness. We examined her diet, nutritional and hormonal status and considered supplements, herbs and homeopathy.

Her diet generally consisted of red meat once a week and chicken or turkey two to three times a week. She ate fruits and vegetables approximately four times a week. She drank one or two cups of coffee per day. She ate dessert with her dinner and lunch every day. She said her eyes usually became very dry about 30 minutes after meals. She did not smoke and drank alcohol very occasionally. When she did drink red wine, she felt her cheeks flush. She ate fried foods occasionally and used margarine on her toast approximately three to four times a week.

At the time of the visit, she was taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C a day and 400 I.U. of vitamin E.

Betty's blood pressure was normal, and she had no evidence of diabetes, heart disease or thyroid problems. She was susceptible to sore throats, her lips were dry, and her nails were dry and brittle. Her estrogen levels were low.

We advised Betty to follow parts of the Dry Eye Prevention Program. After following this protocol for one month, Betty reported over a 75 percent improvement in her dry eyes, with a definite increase in tear flow.

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DRY EYES PREVENTION PROGRAM

Vision Diet Follow the Vision Diet in Chapter 1 as closely as possible.

Beneficial foods include fresh fruits (especially bananas and green leafy vegetables, such as kale and collard greens) along with cold water fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines.

Avoid refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, fried foods, dairy products, non-organic red meat and hydrogenated oils (margarine and shortening). Drink 810 glasses of water per day, but not with food 30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.

Nutritional Take the following vitamins and minerals on a daily Supplementsbasis:

Vitamin A Beta-carotene Vitamin B1 (thiamin) B2 (riboflavin)

B3 (niacin)

B5 (pantothenic acid)

B6 (pyroxidine) Folic acid

B12 (cobalamin) Choline Inositol

Biotin

Vitamin C (buffered form)

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Chromium

Selenium

Calcium

Magnesium

(table continued on next page.))