In order to paint or draw, an artist pretty much needs to be able to see.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve been experiencing what I considered to be normal age-related declines in vision (I’m 46). I’ve had more and more trouble reading small text. When reading for too long, my vision locked into that distance and I became unable to focus on greater distances for several minutes. My distance vision became noticeably less acute (road signs were harder to read, for example). I couldn’t see as well in low light. I began making plans to visit an ophthalmologist—something I should have done much earlier.
About a 6 weeks ago, after doing some research, I began taking vitamin D supplements in relatively high doses (6,000 iu per day) in gelcap form (solid pills have not been shown to increase serum blood levels of vitamin D). I did this because I’d read about research on reduction of cancer and diabetes in people taking similar dosages.
Well, I still don’t have cancer or diabetes (as far as I know). Yay for me. The unexpected effect, however, is that my vision has dramatically improved. I can read smaller text without strain. My vision no longer gets blurry when I read for too long. My distance vision is more acute. My night vision has improved. I don’t have the 20/15 vision I had when I was 25, but my eyes certainly work a lot better. It appears that the reduced flexibility of the corneas that happens with age has been to some degree reversed.
I can’t be certain that vitamin D is the cause of the improvement, as I made other dietary improvements at about the same time (cutting out almost all processed foods, refined sugar, and wheat, for example). I’m also unwilling to stop taking vitamin D for a month or so to see if my vision declines. But I think the most likely explanation is the vitamin D. I’m pretty pleased.
I’m not a doctor and you should not take medical advice from me. If you were to do this, the results would probably be different from mine, but I thought I would pass this on.
Amazing stuff! Be aware it is possible to overdose on vit D. If this is a régime you plan to stick to I would regularly order blood tests for 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D. (25 OHD) This will give you an idea of your deficiency anything under 30 is too low (you want to be between 50 and 80 ng/ml). Good luck!
Thanks, Ryan. I’m aware of that possibility and selected the dose somewhat conservatively. I do plan to have serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D tested after 3 months, which appears to be the procedure recommended by docs who are in favor of this supplementation regimen.
In the meantime, I’ll enjoy my improved vision.
I have been dealing with my own problems with deteriorating vision. I just received a special pair of glasses for painting range after having a little go around with the prescription. I had not realized how bad my vision had deteriorated until I could not pass an eye exam for my driver’s license. Skipping ahead, ever since I received driving glasses I have struggled with adjusting for art. They are for distance and I do not use them around the house yet wear them all day in my day job and when it comes to artwork I have been left without the control and flexibility (focus, squint, varying distances, etc.) I require. The painting prescription is not that strong but they help just enough. One problem I have noticed is that the lenses cause depth of field distortions. Looking at a canvas with and without the glasses I see the dimensions change, narrowing at the bottom and widening at the top. So I have realized they are not a simple swap out for clear vision. I am forced to flip between raw vision and aided vision to maintain proper perspective and proportions. On the other hand, I no longer have to stress my eyes by squinting. I just tilt my head back slightly and peer under the glasses. I used to get such headaches from squinting. This story ended up long. Lastly, I am trying vitamin D gel capsules.
Michael,
Good luck with your vision. I hope you’re under the care of a good ophthalmologist.
I am in nursing school and have learned a lot about eye problems, esp macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma. You (and I) are at the age where we should be more agressive about prevention of these eye diseases that mostly affect the elderly. You are prob more likely to get one of these diseases than you are cancer, and tho not life threatening, they certainly would and could lead to blindness. Surgery is done for cataracts and I think glaucoma, but there is no medical treatment for mac degeneration. My mom is in the beginning stages of it now, so I have done some research. As an artist, I would be devastated to not be able to continue to draw and paint into my later adult years.
Just this week I had a patient with MD, and the dr prescribed vitamins and antioxidants, to be specific:
Vitamin C Vitamin E
Beta-carotene
Zinc
Copper (2 mg per day, to prevent copper deficiency that can occur when taking extra zinc)
also, many studies have found Lutein and zeaxanthin at high levels in the blood, these two carotinoids may help protect against MD, either by acting as antioxidants or by protecting the macula from damage from light. Egg yolks, spinach and corn have high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin.
MD. Also, the good old Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) are good for the eyes as well.
I guess I have to say that I am not a doctor and am not giving medical advice. Obviously you should check with your dr before taking vitamins, esp in high doses, but eating well goes a long way towards good health and protecting your eyesight and body against many diseases, especially if you are a smoker or tanner -.
Jenna,
Thanks for the info. No one, of course, should be taking medical advice from me. Heck, I don’t think anyone should take art advice from me without measuring against their own experience.
I agree on leafy greens. I also think that grass fed meats are extremely healthy for omnivorous homo sapiens to eat.
See the blog of Kurt Harris, M.D.: http://www.paleonu.com
David,
Which form of vitamin D are you taking?
…as in D2 or D3?
Michael,
D3 (cholecalciferol). D2 is, so far as I can tell, not particularly useful for supplementation. Your body produces primarily D3 when it gets sufficient sun exposure.
I found taking the supplement made me dizzy– go figure. Tried it 3 times, same effect. However I am now taking Cod Liver Oil, a safe brand hopefully, and while both vitamins A & D can build up, the dose I’m at is quite low.
Again the concern is with visual changes (and with getting Omega 3’s and cold/flu protection). Hoping that the tried and true cod liver oil will work as well as the supplements alone.
Nancy,
Everyone is different and you should do what works for you. The best way to get D is, of course, is sunshine.
Cod liver oil is good stuff, as our great grandparents knew (and our grandparents hated).
Yeah I remember as a child on the prairies being quasi force-fed cod liver oil, boy was that a chore.
Now that I’m in Vancouver BC, a temperate rain forest, sunshine is really at a premium. Why can’t we live forever? Or at least really really healthily until 100 or so, then peacefully….(can’t even say it, that’s pretty chicken!)
Thanks David and Jenna for the info. I’m 39 y/o and already my eyesight started deterioration. I’m a hobbyist painter, and work on a computer for 12 hours/day… I was hoping to “get on my painting” when I retire or something, but now I’m a little worried. I know that direct sunlight is great for vit D, but I suppose I should start taking the supplement my mom does…
thanks for opening my eyes (literally) Tracy
I’m 50 and I had similar fluctuations at your age. Not as much now, but somewhat. Happened without taking the vD. Pretty normal to go back and forth for long periods of time, even months. The lens is more of the problem, not the cornea. It becomes denser and eventually, over much time, can become a cataract. The muscles that work the lens and bring things into focus have a more difficult time working with the changing structure of the lens.
As we become less able to focus at different lengths, glasses become our friends helping the light rays (from different distances) focus on our retinas. When you are fit for glasses, you need to decide what 2nd or third distance you want for things like painting. Measure the distance between you and your paintings and be sure to let the doc fitting you know…. and this rx will also change with time. I have been more successful with a proper fitting with Ophthalmologists that have been through the process themselves =)
David,
Have you had your serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D tested?
Have you maintained the 6000iu or made any adjustments?
Michael,
I’ve cut down somewhat on days in which I get a lot of natural sunlight. I’ll be getting a checkup with blood levels later this month.
Other than that, no changes. Vision improvement is maintaining.
Check this out: http://www.stopagingnow.com/liveinthenow/article/vitamin-d-deficiency-linked-to-eye-problems
There does seem to be evidence that low vit D and myopia can be related!
Pam,
Thanks for the link. Obviously, I’m not surprised at these results.
It seems as if the insistence by most dermatologists that any amount of direct sunlight is deadly has had very bad consequences.
David,
I found your thread and comment on Vitamin D, painting and eyesight deteriorating. I paint professionally. I have had complete loss of eyesight in my left eye as a reaction to medicine that I must take and there is no substitute. After the reaction, I am virtually blind in my left eye and gradually get some vision back. But each time there is residual latent damage and my left eye gets a lower vision threshold. It has been upsetting, depressing and of course leaves me in fear of being blind in the one eye and then the other possibly at a later date.
I have been under care of a superb retina specialist, have no diabetes or other eye related diseases. I approached the retina specialist about trying “supplements” to improve my eyesight. He looked at me and said I could “try” but don’t get my hopes up. My regular eye specialist told me to get used to living with sight in only one eye. “Lots of people do”.
I am aware of the threshold limits doctors recommend on Vitamin D, and after reading your post I thought -“What do I have to lose?”.
It is too early to report astounding results. But to me, they are astounding. A portion of my eyesight in my left eye has improved, I would say a 50% improvement. It still has a long way to go, and may never improve a 100% to the vision level of my right eye. But I can tell you for the first time in seven years I am hopeful. I cannot tell you how your random comment and recommendation has impacted me. I thank you for sharing your experience. Without it, I would not be sharing mine. By the way, I am on the second month of taking 8000 units per day for a total of 56,000 per week. I plan on continuing until the 3 month mark and will revisit my plan. My BFF when recovering from cancer was put on 50,000 units per week and she saw a dramatic improvement in her eyesight that had been damaged from the chemotherapy. Until your comment I never really connected it with her vitamin D therapy. Now I do.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
In gratitude, Nancy Carroll
I have to tell you that our diet these days is not perfect. We do lack certain vitamins that affect our eyesight and vitamin D is one of the essential ones.
I need to tell you that the best way to get it would be to allow the sunshine to shine on your skin and your eyes. the problem could be your geographical location and if it is the case, than yes, you would be better off with the supplementation.
Please, do not forget about the inactivity, which also is the key factor to losing your eyesight. If you are professional artis you probably stand or sit string all day long. I would suggest you to do some kind of stretching when you finish your painting. Another recomendation would be to push yourself to blink every 5 seconds. Do not worry, you have to push yourself to do it only in the beginning and then it will become your second nature. Blinking does wonder to the eyes. It lubricates them, cleanses and relaxes all of the eye muscles at the same time.
Sincerely Jane Kabarguina