Eyesight is an immeasurable value for human beings, so the importance of eye care is obvious - especially since our eyes are exposed all the time to environmental hazards: ultraviolet radiation, strong light fluctuation, dust, smoke, industrial gases are only a few of the many factors assaults our eyes suffer on a daily basis. Many of these factors contribute to the formation of free radicals, capable of severely damaging the eye cells and increasing the risk of numerous age-related eye diseases (cataract, retinopathy, and retinal vasculitis), leading to impairment and even to a total loss of sight. These processes can be counteracted by a specialized complex formula such as VITRUM^® VISION, which contains the required vitamins, minerals and bioactive substances.

Visual impairment, even if resolved over the short term, is a warning of how necessary it is to pay special attention to the health of the eyes, and to see an eye specialist on a regular basis. Vision impairment can occur slowly or suddenly and there may be a variety of causes.

The most common ophthalmologic problems and their symptoms include the following:

• Migraines are accompanied by disturbance in vision - its so-called "aura", which lasts a few minutes. A patient sees flickering, brilliant points of zigzagging light. The field of vision may be partially limited. Usually such symptoms precede or accompany severe headache. The patients may suffer waves of nausea.
  
  
• Inflammation of the iris (Iritis) or cornea (Keratitis) generally manifests as a blurred field or general decrease in vision. Often the eyes are painful, reddened and teared.
  
  
• Retinal detachment occurs when a part of the image is shaded out, often accompanied by flashes of light or black spots. Depending on the area of retinal detachment, this can lead to serious vision impairment.
  
  
• Acute glaucoma is a disease caused by increased intraocular pressure. The patient sees a kind of a veil before the eyes and colored borders (rainbows) around light sources. The eyeball becomes firm; eyes redden and start to hurt. The patient may have severe headache and even stomach discomfort.
  
  
• Acute blood supply disturbance may follow a severe eye or optic nerve hypoxemia (oxygen starvation), and may result in sudden visual impairment or even total loss of vision.
  
  
• Ophthalmoneuritis occurs when vision becomes impaired in a matter of a few hours to a few days. Eye movement may be painful.
  
  
• Cerebral stroke - a head injury, elevated intracranial pressure or cerebral hemorrhage (apoplexy) can cause a total loss of vision, as well as muscle weakening or paralysis, difficulty of speech and loss of consciousness

Below are the most common long-progressive ophthalmologic problems and their symptoms:

• Myopia (Nearsightedness) results in blurred vision at a distance. The patient can see closely situated objects with little difficulty. When reading a text a nearsighted person may have to raise it close to the eyes. Over time myopia can grow progressively worse.
  
  
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness) causes no problems with distant object, but close objects are visible only with great strain. In particular, younger persons suffering from farsightedness tend to develop headache and tearing under the load of reading often demanded of them. Corrective lenses generally improve the symptoms dramatically.
  
  
• Lenticular opacity (cataract) is the result of the aging process, where the natural eye lens loses transparency. Its symptoms are increasingly blurred images of objects and difficulty in color perception. A person with lens opacity tends to see better in weak light.
  
  
• Chronic glaucoma is caused by gradually elevated intraocular pressure or permanent blood pressure problems. Symptoms include fragmentary lack of the image (loss of some visual field's areas). Typically, visual impairment is incremental, and often goes undetected into advanced age.

It is crucial to remember that visual symptoms can denote the presence of a serious disease. If not diagnosed and treated immediately, this can result in serious and permanent visual impairment. This is one more reason to consult an eye specialist at the first sign of trouble. In some cases prescriptive eyeglasses or contact lenses can relieve the problem. However, number of eye diseases call for medication or even surgery are needed.

Eyes care:

• When reading or using a computer, it is important to rest for substantial intervals on a regular basis. When reading it is very important to provide proper illumination.
  
  
• Those who wear correcting glasses should regularly get their prescription checked to make certain current eye conditions are being corrected. And those who use contact lenses instead of glasses must bear in mind that lenses need especially thorough care, with close adherence to hygiene rules. One should use a special medium for care of contact lenses. Contact lenses as well as glasses are to be adjusted by an eye specialist, since under-adjusted glasses or misused lenses can do damage to the eyes.
  
  
• Persons who are 40 or older should regularly go for a vision check-up.
  
  
• Every person (regardless of age) whose eyes are subjected to heavy use or to environmental hazards should use a formula designed to ensure full-scale vision - such as VITRUM^® VISION.