Cigarettes and Alcohol Can Cause Visual Impairment Reports Holistic Ophthalmologist

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Holistic Ophthalmologist John Monroe offered natural vision and eye health tips during a recent interview with Sharon Kleyne, Founder of Bio Logic Aqua Research.

Cigarettes and alcohol can cause visual impairment. Nearsightedness can be caused by stress. Macular degeneration can be caused by drinking too much coffee. Those were among many insights offered by Holistic Ophthalmologist John Monroe during a guest appearance on the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water Radio show.

Holistic Ophthalmology was recently in the news because of the nation of Dubai’s announcement that they will soon be offering “medical tourism” packages, including Ophthalmology and Holistic Wellness. The recent John Monroe interview summarized what medical tourists to Dubai might expect when seeking Holistic Ophthalmology treatment.

John Monroe, MD, is an ophthalmologist associated with Dr. Deborah E. Banker’s holistic eye care clinic in Boulder, Colorado.

The globally syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water® radio show, with host Sharon Kleyne, is heard on the VoiceAmerica Variety and Health and Wellness Channels, and on Apple iTunes. Kleyne is Founder of Bio Logic Aqua Research, a research, technology and product development center, and the world’s only company specializing in fresh water, atmosphere and health. Natures Tears® EyeMist® is the Research Center’s global signature product.

Holistic medicine, Monroe explained, is based on the assumption that diseases are not isolated and that if doctors only treat specific disease symptoms, the underlying causes will remain. Monroe and Banker specialize in the application of this approach to eyes and vision.

An example is the effects of drinking coffee on vision. According to Monroe, coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant, but also contains tannic acid, a vaso-constrictor. If ingested to excess, tannic acid can cause capillary constriction that is damaging to the brain, liver and eye retinas. Cigarette smoke is also a vaso-constrictor.

Monroe and Banker believe that when treating retinal disease, factors such as coffee intake must be considered.

Consuming alcohol, according to Monroe, can cause physical dehydration that, among other things, can reduce the basal tear flow from lachrymal glands to the eyes, and cause “floaters” to break off the retina and migrate into the visual field. To avoid alcohol dehydration, Monroe and many other experts recommend drinking one glass for water for every alcoholic drink consumed.

Drinking additional water also reduces the effects of cigarette smoke on the eyes and body.

Emotional problems can also damage the and cause visual impairment. Nearsightedness, Monroe explains, is the result of chronic tightening of the of the outer eye muscles, which eventually distorts the shape of the eyeball. Frequent stress or anger can result in permanent distortion.

Banker’s natural eye clinic treats vision problems without surgery or drugs, relying instead on eye exercises, acupressure, external devices and natural remedies. Diet, exercise, water intake and overall health are primary concerns.

A good eye health diet, according to Monroe and Kleyne, includes dark green leafy vegetables, small portions of lean meat (or no meat) with no hormones, and minimal dairy or fat. Monroe notes that fat can cause blood cell “clumping” that impairs the flow of blood to the capillaries. Impaired capillary flow can affect the functioning of many parts of the body, including the eyes.

Monroe recommends one glass of water for every hour one is awake. Kleyne recommends a minimum of eight glasses a day, in addition to all other fluid intake such as coffee, tea, soda and juice. Moist foods such as melon, apples, celery and lettuce are very beneficial.    

Monroe and Banker are available for consultation by phone or email Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m.- 7 p.m. For contact information, go to

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Mikaylah Roggasch
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