Podcast Summary
Changes in eye health can indicate overall health issues: Aging eyes and skin around them reveal health concerns and require special care for appearance and health
The health of our eyes and the skin around them can provide valuable insights into our overall health. Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes, an oculoplastic and ophthalmic surgeon, explains that changes in the blood vessels around the eyelids and inside the eyes can indicate general health issues. As we age, the thin and delicate skin around the eyes, which lacks the subcutaneous fat found in other areas of the face, becomes more susceptible to signs of aging due to the constant movement of the orbicularis oculi muscle, which controls blinking. This makes the eye area the first part of the face to show visible signs of aging. It's essential to take care of our eyes and the skin around them, both for cosmetic reasons and to maintain our overall health.
Eyelids are prone to aging due to lack of fat cells and UV exposure: Protect eyelids from UV exposure by using sunscreen, mineral makeup, and sunglasses to prevent skin damage and reduce risk of skin cancer.
The lack of fat cells in the eyelids makes them more susceptible to aging, as the skin loses collagen and elastin and becomes vulnerable to environmental factors like UV exposure, pollution, and stress. The number one environmental factor contributing to eyelid aging is UV exposure, which increases the risk of skin cancers in this area. To protect the eyelids, it's essential to apply sunscreen around the eyes, use mineral-based makeup with sun protection, and wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection. It's also important to note that some sunlight exposure is necessary for vitamin D absorption and brain health, so sunglasses should be used with common sense and not all day long. The muscles in the eyelids are responsible for blinking, and their function can be affected by aging and certain conditions. Overall, taking care of the eyelids involves a combination of protecting them from environmental factors and maintaining their muscle function.
Exploring the Muscles and Treatments for Lifting Eyelids: Botox can lift eyelids, but eye creams are essential for eye area health and hydration. Be mindful of Botox's impact on dry eyes.
While there are no specific eyelid exercises to lift the lid, there are muscles involved in keeping our eyes open and blinking, including the levator muscle and Muller's muscle. Botox, which was originally used to treat medical conditions, can be used cosmetically to lift eyelids and improve the appearance of aging eyes. Botox was discovered accidentally when patients reported looking less tired after treatment for blepharospasm. Eye creams are essential for the delicate eye area, which has unique needs due to its thin skin and high concentration of sensory nerves. Using eye creams with appropriate ingredients can help keep the area hydrated, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and protect against environmental stressors. It's important to note that Botox can worsen symptoms of dry eye, so frequency of use should be considered.
Applying Eye Cream: Be Gentle for Best Results: Be gentle when applying eye cream to avoid causing puffiness or worsening eye bags. Use retinol carefully, consider tear trough filler for camouflage, and opt for light serums or creams.
Applying eye cream requires gentle touch to avoid causing puffiness or worsening eye bags. The delicate skin around the eyes can be easily damaged, leading to the fat beneath the eyes bulging forward and creating the appearance of bags. The use of retinol around the eyes is generally recommended, but it should be applied carefully and sparingly to avoid irritation or sensitivity. Dark circles and eye bags are common concerns, especially during midlife. While surgical intervention is the only definitive solution for eye bags, non-surgical options like tear trough filler can help camouflage early signs of eye bags. Overall, the key is to be gentle and consistent with eye care, using light serums or creams and being cautious with ingredients.
Reducing the appearance of eye bags and puffiness: Simple techniques like filling in dips and massage can help reduce eye bag appearance, while avoiding salt and seeking professional help may be necessary for persistent issues. Dark circles can be prevented or reduced by maintaining overall health and using cold water.
There are various methods to reduce the appearance of eye bags and puffiness, but they don't actually get rid of the underlying fat or potential thyroid-related causes. Simple techniques like puffing out the area below the bags to fill in dips and doing lymphatic drainage massage can help. For more persistent issues, avoiding salt and certain foods, and seeking professional help like manual lymphatic drainage or nonsurgical options may be necessary. Dark circles can be caused by visible blood vessels due to thin eyelid skin and general health, and can be prevented or reduced through maintaining overall health and using cold water to constrict blood vessels and temporarily tighten skin.
Unexpected connection between eye health and neck pain: Tight ocular muscles could influence neck pain through nerve connections in the cranium, and addressing this issue can lead to neck pain relief and improved eye health.
There might be an unexpected connection between eye health and neck pain. During a recent visit to an integrative osteopath, the patient discovered that tight ocular muscles could potentially influence neck pain. This is because the eyes' extraocular muscles, which move the eyes and are under nerve control, could impact nerves in the cranium. The patient's osteopath identified this issue by massaging around the patient's eyeballs and asking about any differences in vision between the right and left eyes. This discovery led to a significant reduction in the patient's neck pain and the recommendation of exercises to maintain the improvement. This association highlights the importance of considering the interconnectedness of various systems in the body and the potential impact of eye health on overall wellbeing.
Maintaining Eye Health from a Young Age: Early awareness and prevention of eye conditions, recognizing symptoms like floaters and flashes, managing dry eyes through eyelid hygiene, and regular eye exams are key to preserving eye health.
Taking care of eye health from a young age can help delay the onset of age-related eye conditions. Floaters and flashes in the eyes can be early signs of more serious issues, so it's important to be aware of these symptoms and seek medical attention if concerned. Dry eyes, a common condition, can be caused by blocked meibomian glands, leading to a less lubricated tear film. This condition can be prevented or managed through proper eyelid hygiene and other treatments. Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining eye health and detecting potential issues early.
Hormonal fluctuations during menopause increase risk of blepharitis and dry eye disease: Maintain lid hygiene to manage blepharitis, prevent eye conditions with regular checks, avoid smoking, protect against UV radiation, and consume carotenoids, lutein, and astaxanthin to delay macular degeneration.
Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can increase the risk of blepharitis, leading to dry eye disease. This is due to altered oil secretions from the glands in the eyelids. Blepharitis is easily managed with simple lid hygiene, including using a hot compress on the upper eyelids and lashes. Prevention is key, and regular checks at the optician, especially for those with a family history of eye conditions, are recommended. Other factors that can help prevent eye degeneration include avoiding smoking, protecting against UV radiation, and maintaining a healthy diet rich in carotenoids, lutein, and astaxanthin. These supplements have been shown to delay the onset of macular degeneration.
Nutrition for Eye Health: Omega-3s, Vitamin C, and More: A balanced diet with omega-3s, vitamin C, and antioxidants can support eye health. Omega-3 supplements can help dry eye symptoms, but results take 12 weeks. Eye drops and Mediterranean-style diet also aid eye health. Avoid mascara for certain eye conditions.
While a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and antioxidants can contribute to eye health and potentially delay the onset of conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration, some nutrients like omega-3 may require supplementation to effectively treat specific conditions, such as dry eye. Dry eye symptoms can be improved with omega-3 supplements, but it takes about 12 weeks to see results. Lubricating eye drops, particularly those containing hyaluronic acid, are the first line of treatment for dry eye. Additionally, maintaining a Mediterranean-style diet, which is rich in fish, vegetables, and healthy fats, can support overall eye health. Regarding eyelashes, using mascara is generally fine, but individuals with conditions like blepharitis should avoid it to prevent worsening symptoms.
Mascara and Eye Care: Be cautious with mascara for eye health, especially with blepharitis or dry eyes. Use lash serums under specialist guidance and remember to blink more often when using digital devices.
When it comes to eye care, be mindful of your mascara use and application, especially if you have a diagnosis of blepharitis or dry eyes. Also, be cautious when removing mascara to avoid accelerating the aging process around the eyes. Regarding lash serums, those that work to stimulate growth are typically prostaglandin-based. While they can be effective, they also come with potential side effects such as darkening of the skin around the eyes, atrophy of the fat, redness, and even turning blue eyes brown. It's important to use such serums under specialist guidance. Additionally, remember to blink more often when using digital devices as we tend to blink less frequently, leading to dryness and potential eye strain. The 20-20-20 rule, which involves taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away, can help keep the eyes lubricated and give them a much-needed break.
Maintaining Eye Health and Well-being: Practice eye care tips, sign up for a free newsletter, connect on social media, have health insurance, consider gifting thoughtfully, and explore flexible insurance plans.
Taking care of our health, including our eyes, is an important aspect of our overall well-being. During the conversation, we learned about various tips and practices for maintaining eye health. You can find more information and sign up for a free weekly newsletter with additional advice at lizellewellbeing.com. Don't forget to connect with us on social media, particularly Instagram, for more health-related discussions. Additionally, it's essential to have health insurance, and UnitedHealth Care TriTerm Medical plans offer flexible, budget-friendly coverage that lasts nearly 3 years in some states. This Mother's Day, consider giving back to the special moms in your life with thoughtful gifts from 1800flowers.com/acast, where you can save up to 40% on select items. Lastly, having flexible insurance coverage is beneficial, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Plans offer options for medical, vision, dental, and more. These plans are ideal for those between jobs, coming off their parents' plans, or starting a full-time business. For more information, visit one.com.
