Our sight is very precious to us. And yet, often we tend to forget our eyes need to be checked regularly. There are many diseases that affect the eye, from the mild allergy that causes them to water, itch and become red and swollen to macular degeneration which, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Too often there are signs that are ignored that, if heeded early enough, could possibly prevent unnecessary damage.

The macula is the center part of the eye. People who begin to have macular degeneration, start by having a hazy or dark spot in the middle of what they're looking at. Sometimes the lines on a page may appear irregular or wavy. There are two kinds of macular degeneration, wet and dry. The wet form of macular degeneration is not as common as the dry, but much more extreme. Even though it's the least common form of the disease, it produces the majority of cases of blindness associated with the condition.

This is another case of poor decisions contributing negatively to our health. Studies indicate that a lifestyle which includes little physical activity, poor eating habits, smoking, uncontrolled blood pressure, and careless exposure to the sun can all be contributing factors and increase the risk of developing macular degeneration. The danger of developing macular degeneration is more prevalent in elderly caucasians and increases if a family member has been diagnosed with the disease. An herbal blend of bio-lutein and antioxidants can be taken to enhance acute sight.

Another disease of the eye that can potentially lead to blindness is glaucoma. This condition develops when drainage necessary to allow for proper pressure within the eye doesn't work properly. When the pressure continues to build, it causes progressive damage to the optic nerve fibers. Drinking fluids in small amounts is important if you have glaucoma. Drinking large quantities of fluids will increase eye pressure. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and low stress levels are all important for those who have been diagnosed with glaucoma. An inhaler containing essential oils of calming herbs such as wild chamomile, lavender, rose and other natural ingredients can help us cope with the stresses we face everyday.

A much less daunting eye disease is conjunctivitis or "pink eye". It's caused by an infection, either viral or bacterial, and can be most uncomfortable. The "pink" is caused by the small blood vessels in the conjunctiva becoming inflamed. This is a highly contagious disease, but rarely affects one's eyesight. Often it feels as though there's something in the eye, such as sand. It can start in one eye and quickly spread to the other. Frequently, the eyes will be matted closed after waking from a night's sleep. An herbal formula of bilberry, eyebright, chamomile, nettle, goldenseal, and other natural ingredients will heal the eyes and, when taken regularly, will continue to strengthen and nourish them.