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BerryFarmsEyeCare

Dr. Jana Crim

(615) 905-8190

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  • March Newsletter: Are Your Eyes Getting Enough Vitamin D?

March Newsletter: Are Your Eyes Getting Enough Vitamin D?

  • Created in Newsletters

Happy couple in the sun

Are Your Eyes Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is essential for healthy vision, yet many of us don't get enough of this important vitamin. Luckily, increasing your intake of vitamin D is fairly simple.

Why Is Vitamin D So Important?

Most Americans don't get enough vitamin D in their diets. In fact, 28.9% of U.S. adults were considered deficient in vitamin D, while another 41.4% received insufficient amounts of the vitamin, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Vitamin D helps your bones absorb calcium, bolsters your immune system, keeps your muscles strong, and prevents some types of cancer. Good lung, brain and heart health depend on this crucial nutrient.

Vitamin D may also play a part in these eye conditions and diseases:

  • Dry Eye. Do your eyes ever feel dry and itchy? Those symptoms, in addition to redness, burning, tearing and sensitivity to light, may mean you have dry eye.
  • Glaucoma. High pressure inside your eye causes glaucoma, which may damage the optic nerve. The nerve sends electrical impulses from the eye to the brain. If any part of the optic nerve is damaged due to glaucoma, you'll suffer permanent vision loss. Fortunately, it may be possible to prevent or reduce vision damage if glaucoma is detected early.
  • Macular Degeneration. Macular degeneration affects the center of the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. The disease causes blurry central vision or a blank spot in your central vision. Macular degeneration is often referred to as "age-related" macular degeneration (AMD) since it usually affects older people.
  • Cataracts. Cataracts dull your vision, cause haloes around lights and make it difficult to handle glare. These problems happen when the clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. The lens, a curved structure located behind your iris and pupil, changes shape to help you see clearly whether you're looking at a near or far object.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy causes vision loss when blood sugar is consistently high in people who have diabetes. Blood vessels in the retina leak blood or fluid, obstructing vision. New, abnormal blood vessels may form and begin to leak. In some cases, scar tissue also forms, worsening vision.

What Research Tells Us About the Link Between Vitamin D and Eye Health

Researchers have been curious about the effects of vitamin D for some time. Among the most interesting discoveries are:

  • Vitamin D Deficiency Might Make the Retina or Macula Thinner. Research participants who were deficient in the vitamin had thinner central macular areas, according to a study published in Cureus in 2021. Researchers also noted thickness differences in the retinal nerve fiber layers when comparing results from patients with severe deficiencies compared to those who were less severe.
  • Adequate Vitamin D Levels May Lower the Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. According to a systematic review published in Maturitas, a high 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration is associated with a reduction in AMD.
  • The Link Between Vitamin D and Dry Eye: In another study published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology in 2022, researchers discovered that people with vitamin D deficiencies were more likely to have dry eye than those with normal levels of the vitamin.

Although these study results are fascinating and certainly help support the link between low vitamin D and eye disease, researchers note that more research is necessary.

3 Ways to Get Vitamin D

Wondering how you obtain vitamin D? Your level of the nutrient increases through any of these methods:

  • Eat Foods that Contain the Vitamin. These include fortified milk and orange juice, soy drinks, egg yolks, salmon, sardines, tuna, and beef liver.
  • Take Supplements. Supplements can help you increase your vitamin D intake if the foods you eat don't provide enough vitamin D.
  • Spend Time in the Sun. Your body produces vitamin D when you venture outdoors on a sunny day. Unfortunately, most people don't get enough vitamin D through sun exposure alone. Doctors don't recommend that you use low vitamin D as an excuse to sunbathe though, as sun exposure increases your skin cancer risk.

In addition to increasing your vitamin D intake, visiting the optometrist will help you keep your eyes healthy. Need to make an appointment? Give our office a call to schedule your visit.

Sources:

NCBI: The British Journal of Nutrition: Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency Among US adults: Prevalence, Predictors and Clinical Implications, 4/11/2018

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29644951/

NCBI: Cureus: Ocular Findings Among Patients with Vitamin D Deficiency, 5/21/2021

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8215305/

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology: A Study of the Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) in the Indian Population, 2/2022

https://journals.lww.com/ijo/Fulltext/2022/02000/A_study_of_the_association_between_Vitamin_D.32.aspx

Maturitis: Circulating Vitamin D Concentration and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Systematic Review and Meta Analysis, 6/2016

https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(16)30072-X/fulltext

Review of Optometry: Vitamin D Comes to Light, 11/15/2013

https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/vitamin-d-comes-to-light-45073

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
  • Contact Lenses
  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
  • How the Eyes Work
    • Basic Visual Skills
  • Pediatric Vision
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Vision Problems
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

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1:00 pm-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

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Your opinions matter

  • ""Who knew in this day and age that you could actually find a Doctor (the entire practice) that actually makes the patient their primary focus. After much frustration with my current provider I stumbled across Dr. Crim and boy did I get lucky. The staff's attention to detail, quality of service, and genuineness shines through. If you are looking for top notch care and great service look no further than Berry Farms EyeCare...trust me!!""
    Craig E.
  • ""Dr. Jana and staff are awesome! They make me feel at home each time I visit. They are an asset to Berry Farms and the surrounding area. We will use them as long as they'll let us!""
    Cody W.
  • ""Stop in and visit Dr. Jana Crim @ her brand new location if you are in the market for eyewear or contacts lenses! I just went there and I am very pleased with my new glasses. Great staff, selection and fast service! Go and 'see' for yourself.""
    David D.
  • ""My college senior walked on over to Dr. Jana during spring break and they fixed him all up with a new prescription and contacts! And Mikki was awesome helping get him in when he was home during break. I don't think he will ever go to the beach again for break when he can get his eyes examined at BF Eyecare instead!!""
    Matt B.
  • ""LOVED my experience here. Honestly, the best eye exam I've ever had. The staff was so kind, the exam was very thorough. Dr. Crim took her time with me and explained all kinds of things about my eye health that I hadn't heard before. I can't recommend Berry Farms EyeCare enough!
    The also give free infant eye exams (up to 1 year old)!""
    Hanna S.
  • ""I want to give a shout out to Berry Farms Eyecare if anybody is in need of a new eye doctor in the Franklin area they are amazing. We had to make an emergency trip there we called on the way there doctor was not in. They called her and she drove in just to see us and she took great care of us and they were all amazing. They have a beautiful office as well.""
    Stacy H.
  • ""Love! Love! Love! Dr. Jana and Mikki not only helped me but they did a fabulous job giving my 6 month old his first eye exam. I've been in glasses for over 20 years and this was the best experience with an eye doctor I've ever had! The office is beautiful and you can tell they really care about their patients!""
    Kayla C.
  • ""I absolutely love my new glasses! And am so happy to be able to walk to my neighborhood eye doctor. Dr. Jana and her team are fabulous and got me seeing clearly!""
    Deb M.
  • ""Love Berry Farms EyeCare!! Just Fabulous!!""
    Jennifer J.
  • ""Dr. Jana & her staff are courteous and very helpful. I had a terrific experience from start to finish; leaving with an order for 3 pairs of glasses as well. I was most impressed with what other had to say about their experience there and Dr. Jana's caring personality. The facility is beautiful inside as well. A+ across the board!""
    Stuart P.
  • ""Berry Farms EyeCare was absolutely wonderful! I was able to get in quickly. They were so friendly and helpful. I will definitely be a returning patient and will recommend them to others""
    Danielle S.
  • ""Great service, great selection, awesome staff, beautiful office space- what more can you ask for?!?!""
    Betsy T.
  • ""My family had a fantastic experience at Berry Farms eye care!! The office is gorgeous and the staff was wonderful!""
    April B.
  • ""This place is amazing! I had an eye issue this morning and Dr. Crim saw me before they even opened for the day. The medicine I needed for my eye was sold out at Publix and she took the time to call many pharmacies for me. Talk about customer service! The space is beautiful and staff is friendly. I'm so excited they have joined the berry farms community and excited to not have to battle the cool springs traffic.""
    Rachel L.
  • ""Dr Crim and her staff are fabulous! Very friendly, no wait time, I received a thorough exam, and my contacts were quickly delivered to my home. The new office is gorgeous and very welcoming. Highly recommend Berry Farms EyeCare.""
    Ashley F.
  • ""I'm a new patient at Dr. Crim's office and I have to say that this was the most pleasant appointment I've ever had. The practice was clean and well put together as well as the service. I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Crim ( and staff ). Well done!""
    William F.
  • "Have been suffering from eye strain headaches. Just happened to read about Dr. Crim in an article. To say I am pleased I did is an understatement. From scheduling to the appt & f/up to get my glasses, everything especially the Dr was unbeatable. It's nice when you can tell someone cares & really wants to help. I am very pleased with my new glasses. If you haven't explored the businesses at Berry Farms, give this one a try. You won't regret it. (Review shortened due to space allotment)"
    Nicki R.
  • ""Had the most amazing experience yesterday! Took all 3 kids - in and out in less than an hour. Wonderful customer service! Would highly recommend!""
    J. Cleaver
  • ""Super personalable, they were able to work me to an appointment quick. Would totally recommend to anyone needing eyecare. They listened to me and they answered all my questions.""
    Olivia C.
  • ""Dr Crim took her time with my eye exam and explained everything she did. It was the best eye exam I had ! Dr. Crim staff was awesome too .""
    Pat M.

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