Optic Neuritis Commonly Asked Questions!
Optic Neuritis Commonly Asked Questions!
We have covered optic neuritis; which is often an early sign of multiple sclerosis; a few times on the blog. You can read up on the experiences of others with optic here. And lean more about the treatments for optic neuritis here.
But this video from the Optic Neuritis Foundation is an excellent overview of the condition!
Optic Neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis
Optic Neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis is a topic we have covered on a number of occasions.
You might be interested in a few of our previous blog posts on the subject!
But we would also like to share this brilliant video on the subject from the National MS Society
Invisible symptoms of multiple sclerosis
Just checking the web a few days ago I came across this fascinating video about the invisible symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
The discussion covers such areas as brain fog, optic neuritis and pain.
The video was produced by the ever excellent National MS Society, and Rosalind Kalb, PhD, is answering these important questions.
Kai-lan or Chinese broccoli
Eat your greens.( Yes I know it is a bit of an odd picture for a post on vision loss but I wanted to attract your attention to the importance of diet).
It seems that eating more green leafy vegetables can help with age related Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). It can help slow the progression of dry AMD and help prevent wet AMD according to the UK’s National Health Service.
So what actually is AMD apart from being the most common cause of vision loss in the over 50s? Last year PatientTalk.Org created a “user guide” for macular degeneration. We did this by interviewing Victoria O’Connor and Cathy Yelf (from the Macular Society). O’Connor was representing Boots the Opticians.
You can read the guide here!
So what is the point of this blog apart from raising awareness of AMD? Well quite simple. One of the barriers to actually eating more greens is that on their own they can be a bit boring.
So I’m asking my readers to share their favorite green leafy vegetable recipes in the comments section below. (If you run a food blog or site a link would be grand!)
So in the aid of full transparency (well you know what I mean) let me kick off with one of my favorites. If memory serves I found it originally in the Australian Women’s Weekly but it has been adapted a bit since then.
Baby Spinach Pesto
Makes loads
You need:-
1lb or 450g of baby spinach
2oz or 50g pecan nuts (or really any you like)
Olive oil (say two glugs)
2oz or 50 Pecorino cheese or any hard cheese such as Parmesan. Indeed there are some good vegan option these days.
Two closes of garlic crushed
Juice of a lemons
To prepare? Please the lot in your blender and wizz till you get the consistency you like. You might want to add the nuts during rather than the beginning to the wizzing.
Eat with pasta of on top of a baked eggplant or aubergine!
PS The picture above of Kai-lan or Chinese broccoli. I picked some up in Chinatown in london yesterday. Great steamed with oyster sauce!
PPS Can I also mention that green vegetables could assist with Diabetic retiopathy on Optic Neuritis which is an early symtom of multiple sclerosis.
Why you should have an Eye Exam?
As a person with vision issues (I’m now both long and short sighted) I know the value of regular eye tests. Being in my late forties mean that my eyesight is changing fast. So regular check ups from my optician mean that I reduce otherwise significant vision problems.
So we thought we would share with you five great reasons to have an eye test!
a) Regular and unexplained headaches. This is often a sign of worsening vision. If this applies to you them we would suggest a trip to your optician.
b) Improve your performance at work at at school/college. Regular eye examinations help children from some learning difficulties especially with reading.
c) Certain condition such as multiple sclerosis (eg optic neuritis) are often first discovered by an optometrist . Others include high cholesterol, diabetes and glaucoma. As we know early detection means early intervention.
d) Find out if you need spectacles or maybe contact lenses.
e) Finally the eyes act as a window to overall health and wellbeing.
So This August when not get you eyes test!