See how chia seeds can benefit eyes

The Straits Times

March 22, 2026

By Poon Chian Hui

If you have been resisting the recent hype over chia seeds, consider this: Chia seeds can help to keep your eyes healthy. Chia seeds, which became a popular health food in the past few years, have been linked to weight loss and heart health.

But there is more. Its high omega-3 fatty acid content helps to maintain a healthy ocular surface, said Dr Daphne Han, medical director and consultant ophthalmologist at the SMG Vision Centre at Gleneagles Medical Centre.

These fatty acids can often "dramatically improve dry eye conditions" too, she added. "I highly recommend omega-3 fatty acids to many patients, particularly those who have undergone Lasik and cataract surgery."

If you are unsure how to prepare chia seeds, fret not - it does not have to be complicated.

In this chia seed dessert recipe by Dr Han, you just have to mix the ingredients and leave the mixture in the fridge overnight. The mixture then has to be chilled for at least 12 hours for the chia seeds to swell up and soften.

Almond milk is used here, but it can be substituted with milk or, for the lactose-intolerant, partially sweetened soya milk. These milk products contain vitamins A and D and calcium, which are also important for the eyes and nervous system.

"Our visual system comprises not just our eyes but also the visual pathways, such as the nerves that connect to the eyes within the brain," said Dr Han. The idea for this dessert came from her cardiologist husband, who often recommends chia seeds to his heart patients.

"What is good for the heart is generally good for the eyes," said Dr Han. Poor circulatory health can adversely impact the retina, contributing to diseases like retinal blood vessel occlusions, she explained.

Ms Jaclyn Reutens, a clinical dietitian at Aptima Nutrition and Sports Consultants, added that chia seeds promote a healthy digestive tract. "When the chia seeds become gelatinous, they help propel food along the intestinal tract, keeping your bowel movements regular." However, she noted that chia seeds are "not a definite weight loss food", despite marketing claims.

Overall, this dish is a solid source of protein and carbohydrates. It has the same amount of protein as an egg, and the same amount of carbohydrates as a slice of bread, she said. "It is very high in good fats and is an excellent source of dietary fibre, particularly insoluble fibre."

Ms Reutens noted that chia seeds have a blood-thinning effect, so people on blood-thinning medication should be aware of the possible interactions. Those with swallowing difficulties, such as dysphagia, may wish to avoid eating chia seeds.

To put your own spin on the dish, add green tea powder or substitute one-third of the milk with store-bought yuzu juice, said Dr Han. Fruit-lovers may want to swop a third of the milk with freshly blended strawberry or mango juice.

"This dessert is a breeze to make, even in large quantities," said Dr Han. "Any leftovers can double up as breakfast - just swop the berries with a banana and add a slice of toast to provide you with enough 'oomph' for an entire morning."

FRUITY CHIA SEED DESSERT

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup of chia seeds

• 11/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk

• 2 tbs of maple syrup (adjust to taste)

• 11/2 tsp of vanilla extract

• A few fresh pitted cherries or berries, for garnish (optional)

• A small handful of toasted nuts, such as almonds or crushed pistachios, for garnish (optional)

METHOD

• Combine the chia seeds, almond milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a container that can be sealed, such as a glass mason jar. Stir well and keep refrigerated overnight.

• Top the pudding with the berries or nuts before serving chilled.

SERVES 2-3

Fighting Macular Degeneration

The New York Times

Science | Q&A

Fighting Macular Degeneration

By C. Claiborne Ray

MARCH 19, 2016

Q. Are there any new treatments in the pipeline for age-related macular degeneration?

A. Current treatments for the so-called wet form of macular degeneration, involving injections inside the eye, are already “very effective” compared with laser treatments, which were used before intravitreal injections, said Dr. Ronald C. Gentile, the surgeon director at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.

But several ways to improve their results are in the works, he said.

The shots deliver drugs that fight a substance called vascular endothelial growth factor, and thus shrink the growth of what amounts to an abnormal blood vessel harming the retina. A major hurdle now involves the frequency and cost of the needed treatments.

Once the drug is inside the eye, the effects wear off and a new injection is needed, Dr. Gentile said. The shots are also less effective in some patients. Even when they work well, some people need a shot as often as every four weeks, while some can wait two or three months. If both eyes are affected and the period of effectiveness is short, doctor visits can be very frequent, so drugs that last longer in the eyeball are being pursued.

Researchers are working on slow-release medications as well as a delivery system that acts like a tiny pump in the eye, with a tank that can be refilled every six months.

There is also a new drug target: a substance called platelet-derived growth factor that causes abnormal vessel growth as well. Combination drug treatments may be more effective against macular degeneration, Dr. Gentile said.

The so-called dry form of macular degeneration, which often underlies the wet form, is harder to fight, he said, and although advances are being made, current antioxidant treatments with vitamins and minerals do not to improve vision; they just prevent it from worsening.

“There has been a lot of hype on using stem cells,” Dr. Gentile said, but added that more research was needed. Some vaunted treatments outside regular channels could be potentially harmful as well as expensive, he said.

“Such work needs to be done in clinical trials by real scientists,” he said.

Source: NYT

7 eyecare tips for screen addicts

The Straits Times

Seven eyecare tips for those who are often glued to their computers and other devices

By Poon Chian Hui

Assistant News Editor 

People are often glued to screens these days, from mobile phones to tablets as well as television sets, laptops and computers. Indeed, some can end up gazing at a screen all day - at home, at work and even while on the move.

Whether you are a video game addict or social media maven, looking at such screens for prolonged periods of time can tire your eyes and cause vision-related problems. Some symptoms include eye pain and fatigue, blurred vision, redness in the eyes and the need to blink more or close your eyes more often.

This is known as computer vision syndrome and, despite the name, it can occur with the use of handheld devices like the mobile phone or tablet, said Dr Lee Sao Bing, medical director of Shinagawa Eye Centre at Wheelock Place.

"The level of discomfort increases with the amount of computer use or screen time...Our eyes get dry from prolonged use. We tend to blink less when concentrating on the computer or television screen."

Dr Lee gives tips on how you can avoid computer vision syndrome.

CHECK THE PRESCRIPTION OF YOUR GLASSES OR LENSES

Ensure that the prescription is appropriate for close computer work. Glasses or contact lenses that are not of the correct power will cause your eyes to tire easily.

ENSURE GOOD LIGHTING

Proper lighting can help to achieve maximum comfort and, if you are at work, productivity. When in the office, for instance, try to angle your monitor away from light sources and windows so that there is no light reflecting off the screen. This can cause visual disturbances, such as glare and difficulty in seeing words on the computer screen.

ADJUST THE BRIGHTNESS AND CONTRAST OF THE SCREEN

Toggle the display settings of your computer or mobile device so as to achieve a similar level of brightness as your surroundings. As a guide, if you cannot read the words well, the screen may be too dim, while a screen that is too bright will feel glaring to your eyes.

REST YOUR EYES FREQUENTLY

Your eyes will become drier the longer you spend looking at the screen. A strong draught from air-conditioning also tends to aggravate this problem.

Take frequent breaks from the screen to prevent headaches, blurry vision and dry eyes. Look away or close your eyes every half an hour.

If your eyes are dry, consider using lubricating eye drops. These can be found at pharmacies and eye doctors' clinics.

INCREASE POINT SIZE OF FONT

This will help to reduce eye strain. Increasing the point size of the font may also improve your reading experience. This is helpful if you are reading long documents or have to spend hours editing on your computer or mobile device.

DON'T 'OVERWEAR' OR MISHANDLE YOUR CONTACT LENSES

Wearing such lenses for a prolonged period of time, coupled with inadequate cleaning of the lenses, can lead to a variety of eye infections. Some infections may even cause blindness. Contact-lens use will dry your eyes out over time. If you are expecting a long day in front of the computer, for example, wear glasses in place of contact lenses when your eyes become too dry.

GET YOUR EYES CHECKED REGULARLY

Going for eyecare examinations, either by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, will ensure that you still have the appropriate prescription for your glasses or lenses.

A doctor can also prescribe the appropriate treatment if your eyes are found to be too dry.