
The Berne Podcast with Dr. Sam Berne
387 episodes — Page 2 of 8
The Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Set up a free discovery call with Dr. Berne to learn more about his practitioner’s training: [email protected] Practitioner’s Program Link: https://www.drsamberne.com/practition… For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Keep Up with Dr. Sam Website: https://www.drsamberne.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamBerneOD/?… Instagram: / samberneod Twitter: / drsamberne LinkedIn: / drsamberne Keywords red light therapy, eye health, photobiomodulation, light sensitivity, health benefits, mitochondria, oxidative stress, color therapy, wellness, alternative medicine Summary In this conversation, Sam Berne discusses the benefits of red light therapy, particularly its positive impact on eye health. He emphasizes the importance of understanding light sensitivity and how it affects individuals, especially those with certain eye conditions. The discussion also covers the concept of photobiomodulation, its applications, and the potential for red light therapy to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Berne shares insights on the use of color therapy and the importance of timing in treatment for optimal results. Takeaways Red light therapy has a positive impact on health. There is limited research on red light for eyes. Light sensitivity can trigger trauma in the eyes. Custom glasses can help control light exposure. Morning treatment is optimal for red light therapy. Red light therapy can reduce oxidative stress. Photobiomodulation is synonymous with red light therapy. Patients with eye conditions benefit from red light. Methylene blue can enhance red light therapy effects. Results from red light therapy take time. Chapters 00:00 The Benefits of Red Light Therapy 02:49 Understanding Light Sensitivity and Eye Health 06:05 Exploring Photobiomodulation and Its Applications   Sam Berne (00:00.174) There’s no question that red light is having a very positive impact on our health. And there’s an author who was actually on his podcast a couple years ago. It’s called that podcast is called the energy blueprint and the the practitioners name is Ari. ARI Witten w h i t t e n Ari somebody you’ve heard Sam Berne (00:28.158) And Ari, if you go on Amazon, he wrote a really nice book on red light therapy, not on the eyes, but just in general. And I think that if you’re skeptical about it or you want to learn more about it, I would do some Google search. would, you know, I might I’ve done a couple of podcasts on it and you know, there are a couple of people out there that Sam Berne (00:56.983) They devote their whole podcasts to red light and research. Now with the eyes, there isn’t much out there on red light because the machines, the devices that they sell are too bright for the eyes. So this is an important point. Sam Berne (01:18.899) One of the trauma effects that we go into is if we’re light sensitive and in our light sensitivity, we shut down. We have a very strong blink reflex and so you’re triggering trauma in the eyes trying to look at a bright light box. You can’t do it. In fact, the manufacturers will say don’t look at the light. Let’s cover the eyes. Sam Berne (01:51.019) With these glasses, the reason why I made them is because the man who did the study, sells glasses in red light glasses. It’s in London. Difficult to get them shipped here. You can try. It’s called iPower UK, E-Y-E-P-O-W-E-R UK. And maybe they will, and if they do, great. But. Sam Berne (02:19.956) I decided because I had been working with color and light therapy and this segues into our color therapy where we work with all the colors. But what I did was I went to my laboratory and I began experimenting with the with the color and getting the tint exactly right. And then I was doing research based on the camera that I have and some other Dr. Sam Berne has been in private practice in New Mexico for over 35 years and where he works with patients to improve their vision and overall wellness through holistic methods. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University, Doctor of Optometry from Pennsylvania College, and did his postdoctoral work at the Gesell Institute in collaboration with Yale University. He has been awarded The Special Awards for Service from the Behavioral Optometrists in Mexico for his innovative and holistic work with children. His protocols take a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to health and wellness. He understands and treats the body as one integrated system rather than a collection of independent organs in order to identify and address the root causes of disease. His whole health protocols improve vision and wellness by healing the mind-body-spirit through nutritional protocols, vision therapy, and self-care techniques. This view
The #1 Mistake People Make at the Eye Doctor (And How to Avoid It)
For even more from Dr. Sam, get his free Frankincense video (has had had 1.8 Million Views)–what carrier oils to use?, how to best utilize Frankincense?, and much more. Link: https://drsambernesmembership.com/get/long-uscreen-2033cd Join his practitioner’s training: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ Sam Berne (00:00.076) A reduced prescription for the computer. So when they calculate a near sighted prescription of 20 feet that prescription is too strong for you for 20 inches. And in fact, if you try to use your distance glasses for the computer, it’s going to make your eyes worse at distance and to two different one for distance and one for computer and then just don’t use anything for reading. and get rid of the progressive lenses. That’s only inducing more myopia because it’s tunneling you. You’ll find that you’ll get like a distance prescription and you’re driving. You have the whole window now that you’re using right now. You’re only using the top fourth of the lens for driving. So your peripheral is very disabled in some ways. all in the spirit of convenience, you know, but it’s making your eyes worse in doing that. Can prism lenses be the same as your your sighted lenses that are maybe folded into one? yeah, of course. Yeah. And so, you know, for some of you that had a really positive experience for the prism, we might incorporate it. For others, we might just do it for home, like a home exercise. So it just depends. know, sometimes you incorporate the prism into the prescription glasses. You can do that or you just get the prism and you work with it as an exercise. When I work with the kids at Kid Power, it’s a really good question. Do I want to put the prisms in their prescription or I want to just have them work with the physical therapist and that’s that’s kind of a question that we ask a lot if they’re really embedded and I see a huge improvement with the prism like their posture and their movement and their affect then I’ll put it in their prescription glasses and the school will say what’s going on here this this child is completely different Sam Berne (02:17.324) because they’re now connecting their vision to their brain and body where they weren’t before. And when you go for the exam and they put the drops in your eyes, what they’re doing is they’re paralyzing the muscles we were just working with. So then they prescribe based on the muscles being paralyzed. Keep Up with Dr. Sam Website: https://www.drsamberne.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamBerneOD/?fref=ts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samberneod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/drsamberne LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsamberne/ Dr. Sam Berne has been in private practice in New Mexico for over 35 years and where he works with patients to improve their vision and overall wellness through holistic methods. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University, Doctor of Optometry from Pennsylvania College, and did his postdoctoral work at the Gesell Institute in collaboration with Yale University. He has been awarded The Special Awards for Service from the Behavioral Optometrists in Mexico for his innovative and holistic work with children. His protocols take a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to health and wellness. He understands and treats the body as one integrated system rather than a collection of independent organs in order to identify and address the root causes of disease. His whole health protocols improve vision and wellness by healing the mind-body-spirit through nutritional protocols, vision therapy, and self-care techniques. This views each person as genetically and biochemically unique and enables the individual to make lifelong improvements to their well-being.
The Iris Code: The Eye’s Map To Your Inner Wellness
Check out Dr. Berne’s Free Video On How To Best Use Frankincense For Your Vision and Wellness: http://bit.ly/3SRpKiM Practitioners: Join Dr. Berne for his upcoming retreat: October 23-26,2025 Contact him: [email protected] https://www.drsamberne.com/workshop/advanced-functional-vision-and-neuroscience-a-4-day-retreat-for-practitioners-only/ Upcoming Kauai Retreat February 19-24, 2026 Link: https://www.drsamberne.com/workshop/awaken-your-vision-a-functional-vision-integrative-body-retreat-in-kauai/ Keywords Iridology, iris colors, health insights, eye health, holistic health, genetic blueprint, reflexology, endocrine health, digestive health, personalized health Summary In this conversation, Dr. Sam Berne introduces the concept of iridology, explaining how the color and markings of the iris can provide insights into an individual’s health. He discusses the significance of different iris colors, the genetic blueprint they represent, and how they relate to various health concerns. Berne emphasizes that iridology is not a diagnostic tool but rather a way to understand tendencies and health patterns, guiding individuals towards better health practices. Takeaways • Iridology examines the color and markings of the iris. • There are three main iris colors: brown, mixed, and blue-gray. • The left eye reflects maternal ancestry, while the right reflects paternal. • Iridology is not for diagnosing diseases. • The iris can indicate health concerns related to endocrine and digestive systems. • The pupil’s shape can reveal spinal health issues. • Specific iris markings can suggest liver and thyroid health. • Personalized health recommendations can be made based on iris analysis. • Iridology emphasizes food choices over supplements for health. • Training in iridology often lacks input from traditional eye doctors. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Iridology 02:57Understanding Iris Colors and Their Significance 05:52Health Insights from the Iris Sam Berne (00:00) I want to bring in something called iridology. Iridology is the color of your eyes. Let’s go around the room and say the color. Hazel. Green, brown, brown, then they turn green when I get emotional. Blue, Hazel. Hazel. Hazel. Okay. So we have a lot of mixed in here. There are three main colors in the iris. There’s brown where it’s like really dark brown. Then we have the mixed, which most of you said you were, and we have one that’s like blue-gray, blue, it’s called blue. So there are three, those are three different constitutions that we look at in iridology. So the iris is this part, so we’ve got the pupil, which is controlling the light. So we’ve got the pupil and then we’ve got the iris which are nerve fibers and those three colors. And there’s a genetic blueprint that we inherit based on our ancestors, our mother, father. So the left eye is more of the feminine mother, grandmother side and the right is more of our father, grandfather side, okay? So I’m going to go through just generally since you know what the color of your eyes are, what are your tendencies? Okay. And there’s a lot of different ways to read the iris. So first of all, when we do iridology, we’re not diagnosing. I can’t tell whether you’re pregnant. I can’t tell whether you have cancer. I can’t tell whether you have a disease. Okay. So there, this is not a diagnostic tool. Also, The goal is not to change the color or the pigments by taking supplements. If you’ve ever known of anybody who’s done iridology or ⁓ had a reading and the iridologist says, the goal is to change your color, so buy these supplements, you don’t want to do that. Because the people that are really doing iridology and I got trained very intensively in it. I had to take all kinds of tests to get certified and the people that trained me, where I learned it, basically ⁓ that’s not the goal of changing the color of your iris. So there’s two main things in what we’re looking at. Number one, the color of the iris and number two, if you have any pigments in the eyes. So I could kind of go around with my magnifier and I could look to see if you have any pigments. Okay. Now the iris is a map of the body. How many here have heard of reflexology? Okay. So you see a map of the bottom of the foot and this part of the foot is the liver. That part of the foot is the gallbladder and so on. Over hundreds of years of doctors making diagrams of the iris based on health conditions, we can pretty much tell based on the markings of your iris what your genetics are saying. And number two, what are your own health concerns that you should be nurturing? Now more specifically, what are we talking about health concerns? Okay, we’re talking about endocrine health. We’re talking about connective tissue in the body. We’re talking about your mental focus, your emotional patterns, your persona
The Truth About Macular Pucker: Conventional vs. Holistic Eye Care
Set up a free discovery call with Dr. Berne to learn more about his practitioenr’s training: [email protected] Practitioner’s Program Link: https://www.drsamberne.com/practition… For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Keywords macular pucker, holistic eye health, peripheral vision, vision therapy, liver health, eye nutrition, nearsightedness, eye exercises, vision programming, eye care Summary In this podcast, Sam Berne discusses macular pucker, a condition affecting vision, and explores holistic approaches to eye health. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of vision problems, the role of peripheral vision, and the influence of genetics on eye health. Additionally, he highlights the significance of liver health and nutrition in maintaining optimal vision, providing practical advice and exercises for listeners. Takeaways • Macular pucker is a condition where scar-like tissue forms on the macula. • Holistic approaches focus on root causes rather than just symptoms. • Nutritional support is vital for retinal health. • Peripheral vision exercises can alleviate stress on the macula. • Genetic predispositions can influence vision problems. • Lasik surgery may not address underlying vision programming. • Binasal occlusion can help shift focus away from the macula. • Liver health is crucial for eye function and nutrient absorption. • Regular detoxification can support overall eye health. • Maintaining a balanced diet and hydration is essential for vision. Sound Bites • “We want to get to the root cause.” • “It’s a very high concentration of cones.” • “Reducing inflammation is key.” • “Methylene blue helps mitochondria function.” • “Nearsightedness starts in the mind.” • “Support your pancreas and thyroid health.” Chapters 00:00Understanding Macular Pucker 07:20Holistic Approaches to Eye Health 14:39The Role of Peripheral Vision 20:52Genetic Influences on Vision 27:08Liver Health and Eye Function Transcript: Sam Berne (00:01.326) Hey everyone. wanted to invite you to this podcast today where I gave somebody a session who was diagnosed with a condition called macular pucker. So I’ve done a lot of video blogs on this subject and this particular person was diagnosed with macular pucker in the right eye. And here are some of the things that I recommended for her. So if you know somebody who’s got a macular pucker This may be worth watching listening again, anything you can do to improve your macular health is really important, especially if you work on screens. So I hope you enjoy the show. Thanks for tuning in. Wow. And my perspective on vision is more whole body. Love me. Just say that holistic. And so whenever I see an eye problem, I try to look at the root cause or root causes and so some of the things I’m going to be saying to you are going to be a little different in the sense that we’re not here to necessarily treat symptoms. We want to get to the root cause, you know, what has caused this macular shift and it just seems like it’s it’s in the right eye, not the left eye. At least that’s what Your report says so to define a macular pucker. Sometimes it’s called an epiretinal membrane problem or a cellophane maculopathy. So this is a condition where a thin layer like a scar like tissue forms on the macula and the macula is the center part of the retina, which is responsible for your detailed sharp eyesight. And the fovea is a little bit bigger and then the macula sits in that. It’s a very high concentration of cones. It’s also where we get our color vision, but it makes up less than 1 % of the real estate of our retina. But it’s very important because it helps us with identification and details. So when you have a macular pucker, Sam Berne (02:26.918) Usually the vitreous can be involved and there’s something called a posterior vitreous detachment. The gel sac sits in front of the retina and one of the reasons why the relationship between the vitreous and the and the retina changes is because the vitreous dries out it shrinks and it starts to microscopically damage the macula or it leaves some of the cells that grow into the membrane. It contracts and this causes this wrinkle or pucker and it causes distorted again, acuity and blurriness. Now, it’s a little different than macular degeneration. Whenever I see a macular problem, I’m looking at the OCT scan which you had done and that kind of gives a determination on the the health of the macula. But what are the what the symptoms really show would be the straight lines become kind of curved. There can be a gray or cloudy area in the central seeing sometimes you have to move your eyes around to be abl
Fireside Vision: Liver Clarity, Progressive Lenses & Whole-Body Healing with Dr. Sam Berne
For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Schedule your free discover call with Dr. Berne to learn about his practitioner’s training. [email protected] Keep Up with Dr. Sam Website: https://www.drsamberne.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamBerneOD/?fref=ts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samberneod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/drsamberne LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsamberne/ Keywords holistic vision care, eye health, functional medicine, nutrition, antioxidants, blue light, eye strain, vision improvement, myths about eye health, grounding Summary In this conversation, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the importance of holistic vision care, emphasizing the role of nutrition, antioxidants, and lifestyle changes in maintaining and improving eye health. He challenges common misconceptions about aging and vision deterioration, advocating for a proactive approach to eye care. The discussion also covers the impact of blue light from digital devices, the significance of grounding, and practical strategies to mitigate eye strain. Takeaways • Holistic vision care integrates nutrition and lifestyle practices. • Functional medicine looks at the connection between diet and eye health. • Antioxidants like glutathione are crucial for eye health. • Carotenoids protect the macula and lens from damage. • Blue light can cause eye strain and fatigue. • You can improve your vision at any age with the right approach. • Grounding can help reduce the effects of EMFs on the eyes. • Regular eye breaks are essential for digital device users. • Hydration is key for maintaining eye health. • Dietary changes can reverse certain eye conditions. Sound Bites • “We’d rather be proactive than reactive.” • “Glutathione is a powerhouse antioxidant.” • “Blue light definitely has an ill effect.” • “You can improve your vision at any age.” • “You can actually get better as you age.” • “Grounding helps mitigate EMF effects.” • “Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!” Chapters 00:00Introduction to Holistic Vision Care 01:50Functional Medicine Approach to Vision 06:09Nutritional Strategies for Eye Health 11:47The Role of Antioxidants in Eye Health 17:59Impact of Blue Light on Vision 24:05Myths and Misconceptions about Eye Health 30:12Improving Vision: Possibilities and Strategies 36:06Grounding and Eye Health 38:05Mitigating Eye Strain from Digital Screens Sam Berne (00:00.12) Pennsylvania College of Optometry and a postdoctoral advanced degree from the Gissell Institute in Child Development. Aside from having a private practice, he’s done clinical research, been a faculty member at the Estelon Institute and authored five books. He’s a member of both the New Mexico Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. He’s licensed to practice optometry in New Mexico and Hawaii. Welcome, Dr. Byrne. Thank you. Great to be here. So as I mentioned, you know, we’ve had so many speakers speak about whole food plant based nutrition. We speak about it all the time and we’ve kind of ignored eye health, kind of just taken it for granted. I guess I started this when I was in my 40s and my eyes were pretty good. we didn’t really think about it, but for anyone that’s having challenges with their eyes, That’s really a huge concern. we certainly would rather be proactive than reactive on this subject. If you could just take a minute maybe just to introduce yourself and tell us what you’ve been doing with your career for the last, you know, 10 years 20 years and then I’ll start asking you questions. Okay, thanks. So for the last 20 years, I’ve been doing patient care research and teaching. And my mission is to bring holistic vision care to the mainstream. I have a pretty active social media following also have a podcast and I’m just inspired to help people take back their vision. Great. Okay. I’d like to try if it’s okay with you to ask you quite a number of questions. So instead of feeling like you have to cover everything on every question, I’ll ask you a lot of questions. You can answer just that and then we’ll go on to the next question. So you have a chance to talk about a lot of things. Does that sound good? Yeah, fire away, Steve. Here we go. So could you elaborate? Sam Berne (02:19.992) what the functional medicine approach to vision entails beyond traditional optometry. Well, there two parts to it. The first is functional nutrition and that relates to how the the gut and how our diet affects the micro capillary circulation and the mitochondria function in the eyes because after about age 40, we start developing oxidative stress and inflammation and then we go to a traditional eye doctor and
Beyond the Lens: Q&A Part 2 from The Truth About Health
Schedule a free discovery call with Dr. Berne for his practitioner’s training: [email protected] For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Keywords eye health, vision therapy, sunlight exposure, full spectrum lighting, color therapy, iridology, holistic health, eye strain, light therapy, wellness Summary In this conversation, Dr. Sam Berne discusses various aspects of eye health, including the importance of eye coordination, the benefits of sunlight exposure, and the role of full spectrum lighting. He also explores light therapy and color therapy, emphasizing their impact on overall wellness. Additionally, Dr. Berne explains iridology and how it can provide insights into a person’s health. He concludes with practical advice for maintaining eye health and resources for further learning. Takeaways • Eye strain can be alleviated through specific exercises. • Natural sunlight is essential for eye health. • Full spectrum lighting can improve mood and reduce stress. • Color therapy can help balance energy and emotions. • Iridology offers insights into genetic health tendencies. • Eye health is interconnected with overall wellness. • Regular check-ups with an eye doctor are important. • Mind-body connection plays a role in vision issues. • Light therapy can aid in healing and relaxation. • Practitioners can benefit from training in holistic eye health. Sound Bites • “My left eye is shutting off.” • “Light is basically a food.” • “Color therapy is so amazing.” • “We attract what we need to heal.” • “The eyes never lie.” • Chapters 00:00Understanding Eye Strain and Coordination 02:58The Importance of Sunlight for Eye Health 05:54Full Spectrum Lighting and Its Benefits 08:58Exploring Light Therapy and Color Therapy 15:51The Connection Between Eye Health and Overall Wellness 19:54Iridology: Mapping Health Through the Eyes 23:06Final Thoughts on Eye Health and Resources Sam Berne (00:00.238) Can you provide an example of how this works for a specific condition? All right. So let’s say somebody comes in and they’re having eye strain and their eyes are getting worse. So there’s a test that I can do which measures how well their two eyes are working together. So this is vision. They read the eye chart a distance very well. So there’s no problem with eyesight and 20 feet. But what I’m finding is that when they look at the certain picture their brain is suppressing the left eye. So the right-handed the right eye dominant. Okay, so we we are able to identify that the left eye is suppressing and the right eye is doing more of the work unless you do a test like that. You’re never going to discover that issue, but it means that the right eye is carrying the load. Okay, so there’s a great exercise that I recommend called This the brock string. This is a string if you can visualize it. It’s got three beads and a string and you tie one end of the doorknob and you spread the three beads. So the first speed is about 12 inches from the eyes. The second bead is 24 inches. The third bead is say 36 inches. So one end of the string is on the doorknob. The other end is at the nose and the first bead say is here the second bead the third bead. This is a great way to have them focus both eyes at the first bead and they might say something like, my goodness, the left string is fading out on me. When I look at that close bead. now understand that my left eye is shutting off. So we ask them to go into their breathing to blink to feel their body to relax into it. now the left string is coming in with the right string. I see if I relax now, my two eyes are working together. Now I look at the second bead. my this left string is shutting off again. If I relax and blink and breathe and maybe I have to touch the bead now that left string is coming back and then I do the third bead and then the second bead in the first speed. So I’m going to do this exercise for one minute three times a day and what will happen over a few days that left eye starts to turn on and when it turns on it will start to work with the right eye. Sam Berne (02:22.402) So after about a week, the person says, you know, I’m working on the computer. Now. I’m not getting that eye strain or red eyes. It’s going away two weeks. It’s going away more three weeks. Wow. I’m actually able to work for a whole hour. My eyes feel really good. So that is a very simple way to discover on my left eye is suppressing. Let me bring it back in after three weeks. Now my two eyes are working together. I’ve got vitality back into my eyes. So that’s one example of a physical therapy exercise. a general thought if someone was again highly motivated, what should our relation wi
The Eyes Never Lie: Vision Truths You’ve Never Heard
For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Join his practitioner’s training. Set up a free discovery call with Dr. Berne https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ Keywords holistic vision care, eye health, functional medicine, nutrition, antioxidants, blue light, eye strain, vision improvement, myths about eye health, grounding Summary In this conversation, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the importance of holistic vision care, emphasizing the role of nutrition, antioxidants, and lifestyle changes in maintaining and improving eye health. He challenges common misconceptions about aging and vision deterioration, advocating for a proactive approach to eye care. The discussion also covers the impact of blue light from digital devices, the significance of grounding, and practical strategies to mitigate eye strain. takeaways • Holistic vision care integrates nutrition and lifestyle practices. • Functional medicine looks at the connection between diet and eye health. • Antioxidants like glutathione are crucial for eye health. • Carotenoids protect the macula and lens from damage. • Blue light can cause eye strain and fatigue. • You can improve your vision at any age with the right approach. • Grounding can help reduce the effects of EMFs on the eyes. • Regular eye breaks are essential for digital device users. • Hydration is key for maintaining eye health. • Dietary changes can reverse certain eye conditions. Sound Bites • “We’d rather be proactive than reactive.” • “Glutathione is a powerhouse antioxidant.” • “Blue light definitely has an ill effect.” • “You can improve your vision at any age.” • “You can actually get better as you age.” • “Grounding helps mitigate EMF effects.” • “Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!” Chapters 00:00Introduction to Holistic Vision Care 01:50Functional Medicine Approach to Vision 06:09Nutritional Strategies for Eye Health 11:47The Role of Antioxidants in Eye Health 17:59Impact of Blue Light on Vision 24:05Myths and Misconceptions about Eye Health 30:12Improving Vision: Possibilities and Strategies 36:06Grounding and Eye Health 38:05Mitigating Eye Strain from Digital Screens Sam Berne (00:00.12) Pennsylvania College of Optometry and a postdoctoral advanced degree from the Gissell Institute in Child Development. Aside from having a private practice, he’s done clinical research, been a faculty member at the Estelon Institute and authored five books. He’s a member of both the New Mexico Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. He’s licensed to practice optometry in New Mexico and Hawaii. Welcome, Dr. Byrne. Thank you. Great to be here. So as I mentioned, you know, we’ve had so many speakers speak about whole food plant based nutrition. We speak about it all the time and we’ve kind of ignored eye health, kind of just taken it for granted. I guess I started this when I was in my 40s and my eyes were pretty good. we didn’t really think about it, but for anyone that’s having challenges with their eyes, That’s really a huge concern. we certainly would rather be proactive than reactive on this subject. If you could just take a minute maybe just to introduce yourself and tell us what you’ve been doing with your career for the last, you know, 10 years 20 years and then I’ll start asking you questions. Okay, thanks. So for the last 20 years, I’ve been doing patient care research and teaching. And my mission is to bring holistic vision care to the mainstream. I have a pretty active social media following also have a podcast and I’m just inspired to help people take back their vision. Great. Okay. I’d like to try if it’s okay with you to ask you quite a number of questions. So instead of feeling like you have to cover everything on every question, I’ll ask you a lot of questions. You can answer just that and then we’ll go on to the next question. So you have a chance to talk about a lot of things. Does that sound good? Yeah, fire away, Steve. Here we go. So could you elaborate? Sam Berne (02:19.992) what the functional medicine approach to vision entails beyond traditional optometry. Well, there two parts to it. The first is functional nutrition and that relates to how the the gut and how our diet affects the micro capillary circulation and the mitochondria function in the eyes because after about age 40, we start developing oxidative stress and inflammation and then we go to a traditional eye doctor and he starts diagnosing with a variety of conditions or you know, if you wear glasses or contacts your eyes get progressively worse. So in functional nutrition, I’m looking at What are the best foods we should eat the best best lifestyle p
The Eyes Never Lie: Vision as a Mirror of Your Health
For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Join his practitioner’s program: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ Keywords holistic optometry, vision health, eye care, Sam Berne, trauma, stress management, visual processing, integrative health, eye conditions, functional vision Summary In this enlightening presentation, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the profound connection between vision and overall health through the lens of holistic optometry. He shares his personal journey of overcoming vision challenges and emphasizes the importance of understanding how our eyes reflect our physical and emotional well-being. Dr. Berne explores various aspects of holistic eye care, including the impact of stress, trauma, and nutrition on vision, and offers insights into common eye conditions and their integrative solutions. Takeaways • Holistic optometry focuses on the whole person, not just symptoms. • Vision is deeply connected to emotional and physical health. • Stress management is crucial for maintaining good vision. • Nutrition significantly impacts eye health and function. • Trauma can lead to disorganized visual processing. • The gut-eye connection is essential for overall health. • Functional vision is about how we use our visual system. • Understanding the root causes of eye conditions is vital. • Vision therapy can help improve learning and processing in children. • Integrative approaches can reverse common eye conditions. Sound Bites • “The eyes never lie about your health.” • “We see things as we are, not as they are.” • “Your vision reveals your health.” • “I reversed my progressive myopia.” • “Emotions impact how we see the world.” • “Stress affects our vision significantly.” • “The gut and the eye are very connected.” Chapters 00:00Introduction to Holistic Optometry 08:01The Journey of Sam Berne 15:10Understanding Holistic Optometry 21:50The Connection Between Vision and Health 30:05Trauma, Stress, and Vision 38:50Common Eye Conditions and Their Solutions Sam Berne (00:00.106) On the final lecture of the day, which will be followed by a couple of panels. We’re privileged to you our next speaker, Sam Byrne, OD. He’ll be talking on the Eyes Never Lie, what your vision reveals about your health. Dr. Byrne. few words about him dr burn received a bachelor of from penn state university a doctorate from the pennsylvania college of optometry and a post-doctoral advanced degree from the gazzal institute in child development aside from having a private practice he’s done clinical research been a faculty member at the es salon institute and authored five books he’s a member of both the new mexico optometric assuming optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. is licensed to practice optometry in New Mexico and Hawaii. Did I say that right? You were very close. You got a gold star. was that was was. There you go. All right. Well, welcome. Thank you. Very excited to have you here today. OK. For everything I have to say, you go ahead and begin your presentation. Well, thank you so much for inviting me and I’ve been looking forward to this. And so we’re going to start off with a quote and I want to give you my interpretation of it. You probably can have your own. We don’t see things as they are. We see them as we are and one of my intentions about this presentation today is to help you see through your eyes. And we’ll get more into that. But I want you to have ownership of your eyes and vision. Now in this next quote that I put up the eye is the window to the soul, but it’s also the mirror of the body. And today I’m going to connect the dots on how our eyes affect our metabolic and endocrine health and I’ll get into that in a few minutes. Sam Berne (02:13.303) The title of my presentation is called the eyes never lie what your vision reveals about your health and then the upper left corner is something called functional vision integrative body and that’s the method that I’m using now to teach practitioners all the things I’ve learned. I’m going to this for about 40 years and we started a practitioners training last year. That’s actually open to non-eye doctors. There’s a way that people can use this method and they don’t have to be eye doctors and they can really help their clients. And then the lower right corner is me reading one of my books, my latest book vital vision and I’ll talk about my books at the end of the lecture today. But I thought I would start off about the question that I get a lot and that is how did I get into this? How did I get into this optometry specialty? Well, it started when I was about eight years old. I was diagno
Eyelid Invaders: What You Need To Know About Demodex, Mites, and Blepharitis
Hi Friends, I want to let you know that I will be speaking along with 80 other speakers at The Real Truth About Health Free 17-Day Live Online Conference April 5 – April 21, 2024. I will be speaking at the following times and taking live questions. I look forward to speaking with you. Individual Lecture (live online presentation) – Sam Berne O.D. – The Eyes Never Lie: What Your Vision Reveals About Your Health Wednesday, Apr 09, 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT Panel 63 – Natural Vision: Unveiling Holistic Strategies for Lifelong Eye Health – Saturday, Apr 12, 2025, 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM EDT Sam Berne O.D. – Vital Vision: Clear Vision Naturally Please sign up to watch these free lectures. therealtruthabouthealth.com Strategies For Chronic Eye Symptoms: Demodex Step 1: Rule Out and Reassess Ask: – **Unilateral or bilateral?** (One eye vs. both) – **Morning vs. all-day redness?** – **Discharge? Itching? Burning?** – **Contact lens wearer?** – **Recent meds (antihistamines, SSRIs, sleep aids)?** – **Screen use, blue light exposure, or recent stress spikes?** — Step 2: Consider Root Causes 1. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction / Evaporative Dry Eye – Redness + inflammation + lack of response to silver = possibly oil glands clogged. – Use: – Warm compresses (5–10 min, twice daily) – Lid massage with hypochlorous acid spray (e.g., Avenova or Heyedrate) – Omega-3 supplementation (2–3g/day of EPA/DHA from Nordic Naturals or similar) 2. Demodex Mite Overgrowth (esp. if itching or worse in the morning) – Classic in chronic blepharitis and redness. – Use: – Tea tree oil wipes (like Cliradex 1–2x/day) – Castor oil on lids at night (anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial) 🌬️ 3. Allergy or Environmental Irritant – Wind, smoke, mold, and pollen can all cause long-term inflammation. – Try: – Homeopathic eye drops** (Similasan Allergy Relief) – **Cold compresses during flare-ups* – Consider nettle leaf or quercetin supplements for systemic histamine balance. 4. Autoimmune or Inflammatory Response – Consider the gut-immune-eye connection if this is part of broader inflammatory issues. – Explore: – Low-histamine diet trial for 7–10 days – Support with **turmeric/curcumin or Boswellia – If gluten-sensitive, remove gluten as it can trigger ocular inflammation. 5. Topical Support If redness is not due to infection but inflammation: – Use **preservative-free lubricating drops like *Refresh Mega-3or *Systane Complete 4x/day – Avoid Visine or “get-the-red-out” drops—they rebound. — Functional Vision Add-ons (Your Toolbox) – Red-light therapy near-infrared (650–850 nm), 2–3 min per eye daily. – Essential oil lymph drainage protocol (frankincense, helichrysum, copaiba around eyes—not in). – Vagus nerve reset with somatic vision exercises to drop inflammation systemically. — Referral Warning Signs (If Any Present) – Severe light sensitivity – Reduced vision – Eye pain – Clouding or corneal haze Chronic Inflammatory Blepharoconjunctivitis, likely from: 1. Meibomian gland dysfunction + Demodex overgrowth 2. Environmental irritation or low-grade allergy 3. Possibly gut-liver overload (systemic inflammation contributing) — ## 🌿 Refined 7-Day Protocol to Calm, Clear, and Reset Step 1: Cleanse the Lids + Calm the Microbiome – Morning & Night: – Wipe lids with a hypochlorous acid spray* (Avenova, Heyedrate, or Biotech). – Follow with Cliradex wipes (or dilute tea tree oil in jojoba 5:1 if cost is a factor) to target Demodex. – After 3 mins, apply castor oil or organic manuka honey salve on lids (not in eyes). Step 2: Reduce Local Inflammation – Apply a cold compress for 5–7 minutes mid-day (or chilled chamomile tea bags). – Use preservative-free lubricating drops 3–4x/day: *Refresh Mega-3* or Systane Complete* – Optional: Apply diluted frankincense or copaiba around eyes (temples, cheekbone, brow bone). Step 3: Internal Anti-inflammatory + Eye-Lipid Support – Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): 2–3g/day from fish oil (Nordic Naturals, Carlson Labs). – Turmeric/Curcumin**: 500–1000mg/day (Meriva or BCM-95 form). – Quercetin/Nettle Leaf capsules* If mild seasonal allergy is suspected. Step 4: Environmental Clean-Up – Check for bedroom irritants (dust, mold, old pillowcases, down comforters). – Sleep with a humidifier if in a dry climate (Tesuque qualifies). – Try **changing pillowcase daily for 3 days**, see if symptom intensity drops. — Bonus: Functional Eye Reset – Begin or resume your **Vagus nerve reset/lymph eye drainage protocol daily. – Short craniosacral eye holds or temporal lifts can also reduce fluid stagnation. — Optional Soothing Eye Rinse (Daily or PRN) – Mix: – ½ ts
Can Your Eyes Tell Your Health Story? The Power of Iridology
Join our membership for exclusive content: https://drsambernesmembership.com/join_us Come to our practitioner’s retreat July 2025 in Santa Fe, NM https://www.drsamberne.com/unlock-your-bodys-natural-healing-with-somatic-movement/ Show Notes Keywords: Iridology, eye health, iris analysis, health insights, holistic health, dietary recommendations, preventive health, Sam Berne Summary: In this conversation, Sam Berne discusses the practice of iridology, explaining how the iris serves as a map to the body’s health. He elaborates on the significance of eye color and pigments in diagnosing potential health issues, emphasizing the importance of dietary and lifestyle changes for prevention and overall well-being. Berne highlights the educational aspect of iridology, advocating for a proactive approach to health rather than merely treating symptoms. Takeaways • Iridology analyzes the iris to reflect organ health. • Eye color can indicate specific health tendencies. • Blue eyes may suggest lymphatic and respiratory issues. • Mixed eye colors often relate to liver and digestive health. • Brown eyes can indicate blood toxicity and sluggish elimination. • Iridology helps identify genetic health patterns. • The shape of the pupil can reveal spinal health. • Pigments in the iris indicate metabolic inefficiencies. • Dietary changes can support eye and overall health. • Iridology is a preventative tool for health education. Sound Bites • “The iris is a map to the body.” • “Iridology can be used as a tool.” • “Brown eyes struggle with blood toxicity.” • “Iridology can show inflammation signs.” Chapters 00:00Understanding Iridology: The Eye as a Health Map 13:06The Colors of the Iris: Insights into Health 19:51Pigments in the Iris: Indicators of Metabolic Health Sam Berne (00:00.414) One of the methods that I use to analyze and help people is by doing a investigation into the colored part of the eye called the iris and the iris is a map to the body and iridology is the study of the color the pigmentation and the structure of the iris and we also look at the pupil which is inside the iris and through lots of clinical research over the years. There have been certain say patterns that show up based on the color of your eyes. So just generally speaking, if you’re blue-eyed like I am, there’s a tendency toward lymphatic weakness, sinus congestion. lung congestion and arthritic symptoms, arthritic symptoms. If you’re dark brown, that’s a person that tends to be more towards having blood issues and glandular disturbances. And then the third type is the kind of the mixed where that’s a person that’s inherited both the brown and the blue eyes. And they tend to suffer liver and digestive issues. So when we look at the colored part of the eye and we’re looking at the color the pigmentation and the structure. This is going to reflect several things our organ health our glandular health. It’s also going to show us genetic tendencies that perhaps our parents or grandparents were dealing with, you know, where could be things like blood sugar issues or heart issues thyroid issues just as some examples, but iridology can be used as a tool. It’s the way I use it to measure different strengths and deficiencies that are located within the body and especially when you use it with kids like I do at kid power where I’m working with a lot of special needs kids. I mean just the other day I was Sam Berne (02:28.673) doing some, you know, vision analysis of several kids and I did a little iridology on them and parents couldn’t believe how spot-on I was about what their nurture points were in terms of their digestive health, their glandular health, toxicities that they might have to deal with. So when we look at the iris, we’re looking at all these different pigments and patterns and colors that can be proactive and preventative, you know, like for example, sometimes I’ll pick up say a cardiac issue in the iris. I’ll see say a certain way the the heart. You know the heart pattern is and so that can tell us that herbally we might be able to do some things like Hawthorne. as a way to support the heart better. Or if we have lymphatic congestion, it might be advised to avoid foods with gluten and dairy because those are definitely going to set off the respiratory issues and it’s also going to affect the lymphatic health which is going to cause inflammation. So I want to give a shout out before I go any further to the father of iridology in the US, Dr. Bernard Jensen and Dr. Jensen. I actually studied with his daughter-in-law Ellen, Dr. Ellen Jensen. She was my teacher and that’s how I became certified in iridology. But Bernard Jensen was such a pioneer in the field of iridology. mean, he, I think he taught. iridology in like 55 different countries amazing and he had the wherewithal to develop the maps an
Digest This: Nourishing Foods For Eye-Brain Body Health
For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Check out his upcoming practitioner’s program starting May 13th! https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ Keywords nutrition, brain health, children, vision therapy, developmental delays, biochemical imbalances, essential nutrients, meal planning, healthy eating, cognitive function Summary This presentation by Sam Berne explores the critical role of nutrition in enhancing brain health and functional vision therapy for children aged 3 to 16. It emphasizes the importance of addressing biochemical imbalances, essential nutrients, and effective meal planning to support cognitive function and overall development. takeaways • Nutrition is a building block for children’s learning and development. • Biochemical imbalances can hinder nutrient absorption in children. • The digestive system’s health is closely linked to brain function. • Sugar addiction in children can complicate dietary changes. • Essential nutrients like Omega-3 and zinc are vital for brain and eye health. • Hydration is crucial for maintaining cognitive and digestive health. • Meal planning should focus on whole foods and nutrient-dense options. • Early discussions about nutrition can improve therapy outcomes. • Healthy eating strategies can be adapted for busy families. • Food choices directly impact children’s behavior and learning capabilities. Sound Bites • “Sugar addiction is hard to break.” • “Zinc is important for retinal health.” • “Food is the fuel for vision.” Chapters 00:00Introduction to Nutrition and Brain Health 02:47The Importance of Nutrition in Developmental Delays 06:11Biochemical Imbalances and Nutritional Testing 08:59Essential Nutrients for Vision and Brain Health 11:55Meal Planning and Healthy Eating Strategies 14:48Conclusion: Fueling Vision and Learning Sam Berne (00:00) Hey everyone, welcome to the program today. So this is a lecture that I gave recently to my students on the aspects of nutrition and high brain health and this is working with kids between the ages of 3 and 16. So I hope you enjoy the presentation. Thanks for tuning in. Hey everyone, welcome to the presentation today. So it’s It’s great to be here. I enjoyed your Q &A at the beginning. So I want to jump in and talk about the nourishing vision and this has to do with what are the best foods in nutritional practices to enhance functional vision therapy in children. So I’ll start off by telling a story. I was practicing in the East Coast at the time and I was giving a presentation down in Florida and it was a very well received professional lecture on vision therapy, nutrition, naturopathic medicine. And at the end of the lecture, there was this man that was sitting in the front row. and everybody had left and he said I want to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Sutton. I’m a professor at Berry College here in Fort Lauderdale. I’m also a developmental optometrist. I’ve been in practice over 45 years and I really enjoyed your lecture, but there were some holes in it and I was kind of taken aback by it because You know, I was a hot shot. had already published a couple of books. I was very well known. I was lecturing all over the place. And here was this gentleman saying, you know, dude, you got some holes in your thinking. So it caught my attention and we went out to dinner and he told me a little bit about his background and all the things he had done working with special needs kids. And so we struck up a friendship and I actually became a student of his. And over a course of many years, he and I did a lot of collaborations together. And he was in practice in Miami Beach, Florida. And he was a professor at Berry College where he taught special ed teachers and teachers who worked with learning disabilities. So I definitely had a lot to learn and got some humility over it. And there are many things I learned from Dr. Sutton, but one of the main things that I did learn and this had to do with nutrition is that when we would consult on a lot of different cases and these were complicated cases where there were multiple developmental delays sensory motor integration issues birth trauma. Obviously there was biochemistry issues. One of the things that he taught me was that the nutrition is an essential piece the building block sometimes the secret in the puzzle and really stimulating a child’s learning and development because what he said was that when a child has got developmental delays, possibly traumas, other issues that usually there’s a biochemical imbalance going on on a cellular level, meaning that there is an interference in the child’s ability to absorb nutrients. Now, of course, there can be things like inflammation, oxidative stress, poor di
Seeing The Light: A Vision Alchemy Program
To make a one on one time with Dr. Berne for an Iridology session and/comprehensive functional vision assessment, contact him: [email protected] To learn more about his practitioner’s program go to: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ Keywords color therapy, light therapy, vision improvement, holistic healing, emotional health, energy fields, chakras, adaptogenic therapy, natural light, functional vision therapy Summary In this podcast episode, Sam Berne discusses the principles and applications of color and light therapy, emphasizing its benefits for vision improvement and overall health. He shares personal experiences and case studies, explaining how light therapy can enhance emotional well-being, energy fields, and even physical health. The conversation covers the historical context of color therapy, practical techniques for implementation, and the adaptogenic nature of light therapy, encouraging listeners to explore the natural light around them. Takeaways Light therapy can improve vision and emotional health. Color therapy has historical roots in ancient civilizations. Different colors can stimulate or relax the body. Light affects our biological systems and energy fields. Color therapy can be adapted for children with spectrum disorders. The eyes are a key entry point for light therapy. Light therapy can be used to balance the nervous system. Natural light exposure is beneficial for health. Color preferences can reveal emotional connections. Light therapy should be approached with respect and care. Titles Sound Bites “Light therapy can do a lot of great things.” “Light is energy and it’s also information.” “We need light as well.” “We can actually fill up our body with light.” “Color is a language. They understand.” “Light therapy is like that as well.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Color and Light Therapy 02:57 Applications of Light Therapy in Vision Improvement 05:52 Understanding Light and Its Biological Impact 08:45 The Role of Color in Therapy 11:56 Exploring the Color Spectrum and Its Effects 14:46 Practical Techniques for Color Therapy 18:13 Color Therapy for Children and Spectrum Disorders 21:07 The Connection Between Eyes and Emotions 23:58 Adaptogenic Nature of Light Therapy 26:52 Conclusion and Practical Advice on Light Therapy
The Mentors Who Shaped My Vision: A Personal Journey
Join our practitioner’s training! For more information: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Keywords vision therapy, behavioral optometry, eye health, personal development, holistic healing, functional vision, primitive reflexes, meditation, emotional health, professional coaching Summary In this conversation, Sam Berne discusses his journey in the field of vision therapy, highlighting the influence of his mentors, Dr. Albert A. Shankman and Dr. Albert A. Sutton. He shares insights on the importance of holistic approaches to eye health, the role of emotional and physical well-being in vision improvement, and the significance of primitive reflexes in developmental optometry. Berne emphasizes the need for surrendering to the process of healing and the value of continuous learning in his practice. Takeaways Functional vision integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Vision therapy can significantly improve reading comprehension. Surrendering to the process is essential for healing. Primitive reflexes are crucial for children’s vision development. Holistic approaches are often overlooked in mainstream optometry. Continuous learning from mentors shapes professional growth. Emotional tension can manifest as vision problems. Building connections in the professional community is vital. Vision improvement requires commitment and consistency. Dr. Sutton’s techniques are applicable in special needs education. Sound Bites “Primitive reflexes start in utero.” “He was way ahead of his time.” “Take good care of your vision.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Functional Vision Integrative Body 04:12 The Influence of Dr. Albert A. Shankman 12:16 Learning from Dr. Albert A. Sutton   Sam Berne (00:00.078) Hey everyone. Welcome to the program. Before we start. I have a few announcements. First of all, many of you know that I’ve started a practitioners training and it’s called functional vision integrative body. And this has come after 40 years of distilling A lot of information, not only about improving your eyes and vision, but things like brain health, body health, working on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, using things like color therapy, iridology, craniosacral, somatic movement and many other things. So I’ve written up this course for non eye doctor. So it’s a coaching program and it works for any practitioner. let’s say you’re a chiropractor and somebody comes in and they’re complaining about their eyes while they’re exercises and strategies and educational things that you can teach your clients or patients to get better. I’ve been working with a few body workers like massage therapists, craniosecral therapists, somatic experiencing therapists, and they’re just loving the program. So if you’re interested, contact me appointments at drsamburn.com and we can have a conversation, see if it’s a good fit for you. Sam Berne (01:39.842) The other thing I want to mention is my membership program. We’re going on year number three and what I’ve done is I’ve taken a lot of my creative energies that I used to put towards social media and I’ve created content that is exclusively for the membership. It’s about 20 bucks a month. It’s really worth it. If you’re interested in some of the deeper issues that might be going on not only about your eyes, but about health spirituality meditation energy medicine things like that. So if you’re interested in the membership, I highly recommend it. You can go to my website, drsamburn.com and right below the word vision. You’ll see membership and you can click on that and there’s a free seven-day period where you can join and you can peruse the content. What I’ve started to do over the last few weeks is post my written blogs. I’ve written a lot of written blogs over the years and I’m starting to post those in the membership. know some people like like to read and so we’re going to offer you things whether you listen watch or read. reduce the resistance in your quest of the information. The last thing I’m going to be offering which I’ve actually started is some professional coaching in the area of marketing, social media, brand building. Sam Berne (03:24.174) I’ve been very successful at doing those things. In fact, I was recognized by a nonprofit organization here in Santa Fe to offer seminars and do some private coaching. And of course, this is all volunteer, but I want to widen the net. So if you’re a health practitioner, if you’re a young entrepreneur, Contact me, you can go to my business website, iClarityBusinessSolutions.com
Cracking The Code: Unleashing A Child’s Potential
If you are a practitioner, please join our practitioner’s training: Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/drsamberne/retreat-interest-call-with-dr-berne?month=2025-03 For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Keywords Kid Power, child development, vision therapy, learning disabilities, trauma, craniosacral therapy, nutrition, primitive reflexes, holistic approach, ADHD, nutrition, child development, strabismus, amblyopia, screen time, vision therapy, mitochondria, eye health, functional medicine, holistic approach Summary In this conversation, Sam Berne discusses the multifaceted approach to understanding and supporting children’s development, particularly in relation to vision and learning. He shares his personal experiences with learning disabilities and emphasizes the importance of a holistic view that includes trauma, nutrition, and primitive reflexes. The discussion highlights the need for individualized care and the integration of various therapeutic modalities to help children thrive. In this conversation, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the critical role of nutrition in child development, the complexities of vision issues such as strabismus and amblyopia, and the detrimental effects of excessive screen time on children’s eyesight. He emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to therapy that includes understanding the child’s unique needs and the role of mitochondria in eye health. Dr. Berne also provides practical advice for parents and practitioners on how to support children’s visual development and overall well-being. Takeaways Understanding each child’s unique needs is crucial. Personal experiences can shape professional insights. Vision therapy goes beyond traditional eye care. Trauma can significantly impact a child’s development. Nutrition plays a vital role in cognitive function. Primitive reflexes are essential for motor and cognitive skills. Holistic approaches can unlock a child’s potential. Collaboration among specialists is necessary for effective care. Children’s development is influenced by their early experiences. Individualized treatment plans are more effective than one-size-fits-all solutions. Nutrition is a linchpin for child development. Understanding where to start with a child is crucial. Biochemistry analysis can help identify nutritional deficiencies. Physical vision therapy is essential for addressing vision problems. Screen time is contributing to an epidemic of nearsightedness. Natural sunlight exposure is vital for children’s health. Mitochondria play a key role in eye health and energy production. Red light therapy can improve visual acuity. Parents should not let diagnoses define their children. Building trust with children is essential for effective therapy. Sound Bites “Cracking the code with each child.” “I was diagnosed with a learning disability.” “Vision is how the eyes and the brain work together.” “The eyes are brain tissue and fall under neuroplasticity.” “We need to understand the global situation with these kids.” “Trauma creates a paralysis in our system.” “Nutrition affects our brain, our emotions, our cells.” “Nutrition is more important than you think.” “Treat the whole child, not just the symptoms.” “Our eyes are not made to look at screens long term.” “Sunlight is very important for these kids.” “You don’t have to live out of diagnosis.” Sam Berne (00:00) you know, really trying to hear it towards the kids and. Yeah, it’ll be there. Is there any specific like seeing that you’re thinking about that you wanted to come here about or just general, just general interest, general interest? OK, sounds good. of our grandkids. Are you the director? Yeah, yes. Used to be. I don’t even know. Dr. Did you know that I sold the YouTube guarantee? Yeah, so I. 30 years but there’s two younger therapists that just took over. I didn’t know that. Well but yours has his parents if you know. yes. Yeah we’re yeah that’s why we’re here is because we have all the grandchildren and so we thought this would be good information for all of them in case they don’t zoom in. Right. And so we wanted to get what we could for them for us for everybody. Wow, well welcome. It’s so nice to meet you. Hi Deb and Dave and I just met her husband a couple weeks ago. So that’s so sweet because I knew the whole story but I hadn’t met him yet. So you know one of our therapists is married a gentleman and they both together combined have seven children all under the age of 15 is the oldest 15 and younger. Yeah. Yeah. 15 down to. my god, it’s quite the
See, Process, Perform: Dr. Berne’s Functional Techniques for Optimal Vision
For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Please check out Dr. Berne’s Practitioner’s Training Program: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ Keywords astronaut training, sensory integration, visual skills, functional vision, visual tracking, binocular vision, cognitive skills, visual memory Summary In this conversation, Sam Berne discusses various techniques and methods used in occupational therapy, particularly focusing on astronaut training and its components, including vestibular activation, ocular motor skills, and auditory processing. He emphasizes the importance of visual skills in functional vision, including visual tracking, accommodation, and binocular vision, and how these skills are essential for reading and spatial awareness. The conversation also covers cognitive skills such as visual memory, form perception, and spatial orientation, highlighting their significance in learning and everyday activities. Takeaways Astronaut training incorporates sensory motor integration techniques. Vestibular activation is crucial for spatial awareness. Visual tracking is essential for reading and learning. Binocular vision enhances depth perception and spatial IQ. Visual accommodation is important in sports and daily activities. The cover test helps assess visual coordination. Visual memory plays a key role in learning processes. Form perception is vital for recognizing objects in different contexts. Spatial orientation aids in understanding relationships in space. Visual closure is important for problem-solving and comprehension. Sound Bites “It’s a wonderful sensory motor integration.” “Visual tracking is so important with reading.” “Binocular vision is super important.” “The cover test is a way to do this.” “Visual memory is essential for learning.” Chapters 00:00 Understanding Astronaut Training Techniques 05:53 Exploring Visual Skills and Functional Vision 11:49 Enhancing Visual Tracking and Accommodation 18:10 The Importance of Binocular Vision 24:06 Cognitive Skills and Visual Memory   Sam Berne (00:00.236) All right. So in the astronaut training, this is an occupational therapy technique where they’re working with sensory motor integration and there’s three components. There’s the vestibular activation. So that’s where when you rotate them around you’re stimulating that inner ear number two, it’s ocular motor meaning it’s visual. So it’s eye tracking and gaze stabilization. So getting me to be able to focus and hold my gaze that improves my visual motor integration like hand-eye coordination or copying from the board stuff like that. And then the third component and the astronaut training is auditory processing integration. So you can use sound and rhythm to help the brain process spatial awareness. So I find I like to do this with every kid, but especially with autism, developmental delays, autism spectrum, Asperger’s, brain injury, people with dizziness, vertigo, balance. So what you’re doing is either using a rotating board or you can use a chair, something you can spin and you’re monitoring the direction speed and duration. To over stimulate. some of these kids if you try to do too much of the astronaut training it over stimulates them. Now you can use a pen light or moving objects or visual tracking tools and then also they’re listening something sometimes you can pair it with you know, by by urinal beats or you know some like in here. We use the so cord. Now, the reason why we call it astronaut training is because in NASA and astronaut training protocols, they would work a lot with the vestibular system, especially in different gravity environments. So just as astronauts have to adapt to movements in space individuals and people with sensory challenges. Sam Berne (02:23.085) They they have challenges with gravity and moving their body as it relates to Spatial awareness now the actual go ahead Okay, let me let me give you the actual directions There There’s different kinds of movements you can make. You can go forwards and backwards with the chair. You can go side to side with the chair and you can even go up and down. Okay, so each one of those is helping them with gravity awareness, postural control and muscle tone. So you’re working with what we call the postural reflexes. They come after the primitive reflexes. So if you’re going to do the spinning, can do I like to do clockwise first then counterclockwise and Sam Berne (03:40.383) I also can do diagonal movement as well. Sam Berne (03:53.525) now the the sequence of this is that When you do this standard rotation, I like to do between three and five in one direction and then I pause for a few seconds. To let
Humming for Healing: Activate Your Eyes, Brain, and Vagus Nerve
-If you are a practitioner, consider joining my training. Contact me here to set up a free discovery call: https://bit.ly/4jSn293 For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Keywords eye health, lymphatic system, vision, detox, relaxation, vagus nerve, eye exercises, digital strain, inflammation, self-care Summary In this podcast, Sam Berne discusses the importance of the eye-limb connection and offers practical exercises to improve eye health. He emphasizes the role of hydration, movement, and the vagus nerve in maintaining clear eyesight and reducing symptoms like puffiness and strain. Techniques such as humming and eye massage are highlighted as effective methods for enhancing relaxation and lymphatic flow, ultimately leading to better vision and overall well-being. Takeaways For most of us, digital devices cause eye strain. The eyes rely on movement and hydration for health. Systemic inflammation can lead to eye brain inflammation. Eye massage can stimulate the vagus nerve. Humming is a powerful technique for relaxation. Palming helps in reducing stress and enhancing vision. Regular practice can lead to clearer eyesight. The ocular cardiac reflex slows the heart rate. Humming sends vibrations that activate the vagus nerve. Consistency in these techniques yields better eye health. Takeaways For most of us, digital devices cause eye strain. The eyes rely on movement and hydration for health. Systemic inflammation can lead to eye brain inflammation. Eye massage can stimulate the vagus nerve. Humming is a powerful technique for relaxation. Palming helps in reducing stress and enhancing vision. Regular practice can lead to clearer eyesight. The ocular cardiac reflex slows the heart rate. Humming sends vibrations that activate the vagus nerve. Consistency in these techniques yields better eye health. Sound Bites “Humming calms the nervous system.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Eye-Limb Connection 01:28 Understanding Eye Health and Lymphatic Function 02:57 Techniques for Eye Relaxation and Vagus Nerve Stimulation 06:19 Benefits of Humming and Eye Massage Sam Berne (00:01.634) Hey everybody. Welcome to the podcast today. It’s great to be here. So we’re going to talk a bit about the eye-limb connection how to drain and detox clear eyesight and vision. So the one thing I want to say to start off with is that you know, for most of us we spend our day on digital devices and I don’t know how many listeners out there followers. have things like puffy eyes strain redness and you’re concerned because you’re staring at a screen all day. Well in this podcast, what I want to do is I want to give you some exercises. Just a very simple approach on how to boost your eye lymph body connection because you see the eyes don’t have a direct lymphatic system and so they rely on movement. The eyes rely on movement hydration and proper circulation to get rid of inflammation and oxidative stress. So if you have any of those things like blurry vision puffy eyes, then stay tuned. So let’s talk a little bit about the lymph and since the eyes have no direct lymphatic connection. They do rely on hydration and movement and the eyelids are key player in this because they house the glands that produce the tears that keep our eyes from getting dry. So it’s very easy to get inflammation. In fact, a lot of systemic inflammation can lead to eye brain inflammation. Obviously what we eat gluten, dairy and sugar. our big factors, but also how we stare at our screen actually locks down our lymphatic function and this can cause these symptoms that I’ve spoken about. So the role of eye massage and I’ll talk a little bit of what I mean by eye massage. I’m also going to bring in what we call the Vegas nerve because the Vegas nerve is very important. Sam Berne (02:27.438) in our connection to our parasympathetic nervous system and the vagus nerve runs from the brainstem to the face throat chest and into the gut. Now, one of the best ways to stimulate and balance your vagus nerve is by doing a simple process called humming and the power of humming and I palming is so critical for balancing the nervous system, increasing the lymph, increasing our vagus nerve and reducing our stress. So while we’re massaging and placing our hands on different parts of the body, this is a very powerful self-regulating technique that stimulates the vagus nerve. It calms the nervous system. It enhances lymphatic flow and it reduces our stress. So the way we do this is that you’re going to place first of all, you’re going to wash your hands. Hopefully your hands are clean. You’re going to place your fingertips over the eyelids. See how I’m doing the eyes are closed and I’m just making some circles. See how I’
Rewire Your Vision- Detoxing Your Myopia Prescription
-For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Are you a practitioner? Join his practitioner’s training today. Book a free discovery call with Dr. Berne https://calendly.com/drsamberne/retre… Keywords to the podcast today: myopia, eye health, computer use, prescription lenses, vision improvement, blue light protection, eye fatigue, relaxation, peripheral vision, eye doctor Summary In this episode, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the implications of myopia, particularly in relation to computer use. He emphasizes the importance of having the correct prescription for computer work to avoid worsening eye conditions. Dr. Berne suggests that individuals should request a second prescription tailored for computer use, which can help reduce eye strain and improve comfort. He also highlights the benefits of using blue light protection lenses and the importance of taking breaks from lenses to promote eye health. Takeaways • Myopia means seeing well up close but struggling with distance. • Using a distance prescription for computer work can worsen myopia. • Request a second prescription specifically for computer use. • Comfort and clarity are both crucial when choosing lenses. • A reduced prescription can help relax the eyes and improve peripheral vision. • Wearing a lower power lens can enhance eye health and circulation. • Taking breaks from lenses can reduce their reinforcing influence. • Blue light protection is essential for screen use. • Over time, a reduced prescription can become the new distance prescription. • Regular eye exams are important for maintaining eye health. Sound Bites • “This is a recipe for disaster.” • “You have to know how far away your laptop is.” • “Clarity is important, but comfort is just as important.” Chapters 00:00Understanding Myopia and Its Implications 02:57The Importance of Correct Prescription for Computer Use Sam Berne (00:00.568) Hey everyone, welcome to the program today. I’m going to be giving some advice on how to reduce myopia. People ask me questions whether or not you can actually improve myopia. Well, of course you can. In fact, you can improve your vision at any age. Hope you enjoy the show. Here we go. You could do to be proactive is you can download. A Snellen acuity chart. It’s free and print it out and put it somewhere 20 feet away. And that could be a measuring stick for you to see, you know, how close you are to passing the driver, the vision part of the driver’s test. In most states, you need 2040 and so you don’t need 2020. And 2020 means seeing a 1 third inch letter at 20 feet. So you’re you’re looking at a fairly sizable letter and as long as you can pass it with both eyes somewhere with a correction. There’s no problem. And now I’m going to deconstruct this a little bit for you and it may or may not make sense. It may not resonate. But here’s the pattern I see in you. Here’s the pattern. Growing up, you began to tense your eyes. And when you tense your eyes, you give up the distance to keep your world close to you. That’s the successful part of your seeing up close. Now what goes along with that tension sometimes is you feel Sam Berne (02:02.978) Like you have to defend yourself. Like you’re on a constant alert. Yeah, yeah, looking for threats looking for threats. Now that mental energy, whether it’s conscious or unconscious that you’re putting into your eyes because your eyes are the bodyguards for you. They’re like the advanced sentry, you know, that sits outside where you live and is watching. When’s the next fire? Do I smell smoke? What’s that siren? So your prescription in your eye is everywhere in your body. It’s not just in the eye. So the cataracts, you’re allegedly forming and I can give you what symptoms are. What a cataract is on a kind of a very deep level is I’m blocking what is coming at me and I’m blocking looking out. So it’s kind of like a boundary that you’re creating. It’s a hardening. You’re getting more fixed. And then with a floater, that’s like shocking, shocking transformation. Like there’s always this it’s like a pinball machine, a pinball that’s going all over the back of your eye and it’s got some congestion. It’s got the tissue is partly consolidated. It’s it’s very hard to predict. And again, it’s it’s related. To being really fixed and tight and locked in and You know, there are I exercises. I want to show you but the psychology of this is that You are mentally operating in a way where you’re on high alert all the time Sam Berne (04:20.746) And you’re you’re putting that through your sensory systems, especially your eyes
From Blurry to Clear: A Journey of Vision Improvement
Join Dr. Berne’s membership: https://drsambernesmembership.com Join Dr. Berne’s Practitioner’s Program: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/   Keywords holistic eye care, traditional eye care, vision therapy, eyesight improvement, eye health, diet and vision, glaucoma reversal, brain-eye connection, vision exercises, iridology Summary In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the differences between holistic and traditional eye care, emphasizing the importance of treating the root causes of vision problems rather than just the symptoms. He shares his personal journey of overcoming severe nearsightedness through holistic methods and explains how vision therapy can benefit individuals of all ages. The discussion also covers the critical stages of visual development in infants, the distinction between eyesight and vision, and the impact of diet and lifestyle on eye health. Dr. Berne highlights the potential to reverse conditions like glaucoma and cataracts through holistic practices and emphasizes the deep connection between eye health and overall brain function. Takeaways Holistic eye care focuses on treating the cause, not just symptoms. Vision therapy can improve eyesight at any age. Early development stages significantly impact visual health. Eyesight is a static measurement; vision is dynamic. Diet and lifestyle choices directly affect eye health. Cataracts and glaucoma can potentially be reversed. The liver plays a crucial role in eye health. Craniosacral therapy can improve vision by enhancing circulation. Emotional and psychological factors influence vision. The eyes are an extension of the brain, reflecting overall health. Sound Bites “We treat the cause instead of the symptom.” “We can improve our eyesight anytime.” “I was seeing 2400 on the eye chart.” “Vision is how the eyes and brain work together.” “Eyesight is a static measurement.” “Cataracts can be slowed down or reversed.” “The liver is critical for absorbing nutrients.” “The eyes are the brain.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Holistic Eye Care 02:03 Understanding Holistic vs Traditional Eye Care 03:58 Personal Journey to Improved Vision 12:17 The Importance of Early Development in Vision 18:19 Distinguishing Eyesight from Vision 22:32 The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Eye Health 28:20 Reversing Glaucoma and Liver Health 33:05 The Connection Between Eyes and Brain Health   Sam Berne (00:01) Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast today. So I’m being interviewed by Ashley Dealey and she is a wellness practitioner. She’s got a big following on Instagram. So I’ve agreed to be on her show and I thought I would do a recording and share it with you. So enjoy this it’s new information and here we go. Why don’t you call me Dr. Sam? Okay, Dr. Sam. then this is also when I remind my guests this is not a live podcast. Okay, so if something’s on the tip of your tongue or maybe your alarm goes off, don’t worry. I’ll edit it out. Okay. And then this is usually when I ask my guests to make sure to put their phone on do not disturb or airplane mode. Yep. That’s good too. We’re good to go. I would say, well, let’s just see how it goes. I don’t have a hard stop. yeah, we’re good. Yes. So I am just so excited that you’re here. If at any point you need to take a break, just let me know. Okay. edit this. So I’m going to go ahead and get started. Like I always do. Okay. Dr. Sam. Welcome to the show. It’s great to be here. Thank you, Ashley, for having me so excited. I feel like matches mine and I’m just thrilled to have someone so open-minded here. is to get a good understanding of what’s the difference between holistic eye care and traditional eye care. It’s pretty simple because in holistic eye care, what I’m doing is looking for the cause instead of treating the symptom. Also, I would say number two that I’m looking at the eyes as it relates to our metabolic systemic and psychological, emotional, spiritual health. And number three, the eyes are interrelated and interconnected to our awareness, our diet, our lifestyle, our stress. So it’s not just genetics. Yes, there’s epigenetics, but there are many factors that influence how we see and it actually starts very early in our life. And so when I figure out, okay, what are the causes? We treat those. Lots of times the symptoms actually just go away. So are you saying we could improve our eyesight anytime? Yes, we can from infants to elders. That’s the scope of my population, my community. I did it on myself very early on in my career. I was very nearsighted and I met a holistic eye doctor and I went through his physical vision therapy program. And in a period about six months, my eyesight improved to 2020 and I didn’
Dynamic Vision: More Than Just Eyesight
To learn more about Dr. Berne’s Practitioner Program go to: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ For exclusive content go to his membership: https://drsambernesmembership.com Keywords functional vision, dynamic vision, static vision, visual regard, pupil testing, eye alignment, tracking skills, convergence, divergence, primitive reflexes, near-far fixation, suppression, visual midline, vestibular ocular reflex, Harmon distance Summary In this podcast episode, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the concept of functional vision screening, emphasizing the difference between dynamic and static vision. He explores various assessments and exercises that can help improve visual skills, coordination, and overall learning abilities in children. Key topics include the importance of visual regard, pupil testing, tracking skills, convergence and divergence, primitive reflexes, and the significance of the Harmon distance in reading. The episode provides valuable insights for parents, educators, and therapists working with children who may have visual processing challenges. Takeaways Functional vision is dynamic and involves the brain and body. Head posture can significantly influence visual problems. Visual regard is essential for effective motor planning. Pupil response can indicate stress and visual issues. Convergence is crucial for reading and visual tracking. Primitive reflexes play a key role in visual development. Near-far fixation exercises enhance copying and reading skills. Suppression of one eye can indicate underlying vision problems. Visual midline assessments help understand spatial awareness. The Harmon distance is critical for optimal reading posture. Sound Bites “Functional vision is dynamic, not just eyesight.” “Head posture can influence vision problems.” “Pupil response can indicate stress levels.” “Convergence is crucial for reading skills.” “Primitive reflexes affect visual skills.” “Near-far fixation improves copying skills.” “Suppression can indicate a vision problem.” “Visual midline affects spatial awareness.” “The Harmon distance is vital for reading.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Functional Vision Screening 03:07 Understanding Dynamic vs Static Vision 05:56 Assessing Coordination and Posture 09:13 The Importance of Visual Regard 11:59 Pupil Testing and Eye Alignment 15:11 Tracking Skills: Pursuits and Saccades 18:11 Convergence and Divergence in Vision 21:14 The Role of Primitive Reflexes 23:47 Near-Far Fixation Exercises 26:54 Understanding Suppression in Vision 30:12 Visual Midline and Balance 33:12 Vestibular Ocular Reflex (VOR) Testing 35:49 The Harmon Distance and Its Importance 38:51 Conclusion and Future Considerations Sam Berne (00:00.066) Hey everyone, welcome to the podcast today. So I’m doing a little more teaching in what we call functional vision screening. So the difference between functional vision, which is dynamic and static vision, which is eyesight is huge. And when we start talking about how to use these two eyes in relationship to the brain and body. We can do a number of tests that can help us determine what’s the best course of action and being able to help a person improve their vision. So again, I’m going to invite you in and part of the lecture today that we did with our class. I think you’ll find it to be very interesting. Again, if you have any questions, you can send me an email appointments at dr. Sam burn.com. Enjoy the show everyone. So this is called assessing functional vision. And this is a this is a an assessment that I have developed over the years and I’ve given it to many occupational therapists physical therapists teachers people like yourself. And so I will give you a worksheet that you can use to actually take the notes when you actually do the testing but for today today. We’re just going to start in on the ideas of it. So here we have a person who’s on a Boza ball and we’re working with the inner ear, the vestibular system, which is very tight into vision. And I’ll talk more about that in a few minutes. Sam Berne (01:53.174) So what I did here is I made a list of things that relate to each other. Like for example, if you have a child who tilts their head. They usually have what we call a stigmatism, which means that the eye is shaped more like an egg instead of being round like a ball. And a stigmatism effect is influenced by our posture head posture neck posture. So there’s that relationship head tail a stigmatism now double vision meaning I see two of something that could be related to something called stimming coordination problems. So that could either be body coordination problems or visual coordination. So it could either be gross motor or fine motor or both a lot of times there is a gross motor coordination problem and they can even relate to some of the primitive re
Exploring Earthwalks: A Journey of Connection
To contact our guest directly, go to: www.earthwalks.org or e-mail Doug: [email protected] Keywords Earthwalks, Geomancy, Ecotourism, Indigenous Cultures, Chaco Canyon, Land Acknowledgment, Nature Connection, Community Engagement, Spiritual Wisdom, Environmental Education Summary In this engaging conversation, Doug Conwell, founder of Earthwalks, shares his journey to Santa Fe, his connection to the earth, and the principles of geomancy. He discusses the importance of ecotourism, the mysteries of Chaco Canyon, and the significance of land acknowledgment in addressing social injustices. Doug also highlights upcoming workshops and the essence of giving back to the community through service and respect for indigenous cultures. Takeaways Doug Conwell emphasizes the importance of connecting with the earth. Geomancy involves understanding earth energies and their impact on our lives. Ecotourism should focus on reciprocal relationships with nature and communities. Chaco Canyon is a site of astronomical significance and ancient wisdom. Land acknowledgment is crucial for recognizing historical injustices. Listening to nature can enhance our awareness and connection to the environment. Service projects are a way to give back to indigenous communities. Earthwalks promotes a journey of personal and communal growth. Understanding indigenous education can inform modern environmental education. The essence of Earthwalks is about our life’s journey and connection to the earth. Sound Bites “You have to desire.” “Thank you for coming.” “There is a star map.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Earthwalks and Community Engagement 03:01 The Journey to Santa Fe and Connection to the Earth 05:50 Understanding Geomancy and Earth Energies 09:01 The Principles of Ecotourism and Respect for Nature 11:54 Exploring Chaco Canyon and Its Mysteries 15:02 Land Acknowledgment and Social Justice 17:49 Upcoming Workshops and Closing Thoughts   Sam Berne (00:00.248) Hey everyone, welcome to the podcast today. So we have a very special guest, my good friend, Doug Conwell. And Doug does amazing things here in the community. He’s also founder of Earthwalks, which he will talk about. So Doug, I would love for you to introduce yourself, tell us who you are, and we want to know about you. Thank you, Sam. Thanks for inviting me to be here. I really appreciate that. And I really want to give thanks to the Tehuah people and Carah’s people on whose land that we are living and where we’re working right now, which is called Santa Fe, New Mexico now. And I want to read the acknowledgement that I make on my website for that. Acknowledging the deep connections of indigenous peoples to the land and their significant contributions of past, present, and future. In acknowledging these connections, we express our gratitude for the opportunity to live, work, and learn on this land. And I have to say that Earthwalks is committed to helping reconcile the injustices, restoring voices, and realizing the well-being of all members of our community, and especially those whose land this really was, the first peoples who were here. So yes. Where do we go from here? Well, tell us a little bit about how you came to Santa Fe, where you came from and what inspired you to move here. Well, guess I was it was almost 50 years ago. It’s hard to believe, but in 1979, I kind of heard a calling. I was living in Colorado, my home state, Sam, and I was feeling disconnection from the earth, from myself. I didn’t feel like I had any real connection to my own family or history. And I used to live on the border in El Paso when I would come through Santa Fe and back and forth from Colorado and always loved this area, this part of the world, New Mexico. And I thought, well, I’m going to try this out. I’m going to, I’m going to live in Santa Fe and see. I was hearing in my head and also reading and finding out more about indigenous traditional cultures and their spiritual wisdom. Sam Berne (02:27.6) and how they are connected so much to the land, to the earth, to the ecology, and how that’s a part of the essential part of our well-being. So I wanted to know more about that if I could, and that was my main reason initially for moving here. And I know we’ve talked about this a lot, but the subject of geomancy. How did you get into that? And that’s kind of a precursor before your Earthwalks. I would think so, yeah. Well, along the way, I learned something about… globally in cultures around the world called geomancy which deals with earth energies and has to do with how do you listen? How do you understand what those energies are that we are all a part of and how does that kind of inform you in terms of who you are and your own individual personality and maybe goals and values but it’s values that are in sync with in harmony with earth energies. there’s a whole field o
The Dynamic Nature of Vision
To join our membership, go to: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ To enroll in our practitioner’s training go go: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ Keywords functional anatomy, vision therapy, eye health, structural anatomy, color therapy, optic nerve, retina, eye muscles, visual pathways, accommodation Summary This conversation delves into the intricacies of functional anatomy, particularly focusing on the eye. Sam Berne emphasizes the importance of understanding both structural and functional aspects of anatomy to enhance vision therapy practices. The discussion covers various components of the eye, including the cornea, iris, lens, retina, and optic nerve, while also exploring the impact of color therapy and the role of eye muscles. Berne highlights the significance of dynamic processes in vision, such as accommodation and tracking, and addresses common issues like eye floaters and strabismus. The conversation concludes with a powerful message about the interconnection between function and structure in the eye, advocating for a holistic approach to vision therapy. Takeaways Understanding functional anatomy is crucial for vision therapy. The eye’s anatomy includes both structural and functional components. Color therapy can rejuvenate the retina and improve vision. Stress and toxicity can significantly impact visual health. The optic nerve is essential for transmitting visual information to the brain. Accommodation is a dynamic process that can be improved through therapy. Eye floaters are often a result of fluid stagnation in the eye. Tracking exercises can enhance reading and writing skills in children. Vision therapy can address issues like strabismus without surgery. Function can influence structure, leading to improvements in eye health. Titles Unlocking the Secrets of Functional Anatomy The Dynamic Nature of Vision Exploring the Eye: Anatomy and Function Color Therapy: A New Approach to Vision Sound Bites “Vision is dynamic, not static.” “Functional anatomy opens the door for vision therapy.” “Color therapy can help the retina get stronger.” “Stress affects the eyes significantly.” “The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain.” “Accommodation is a dynamic process.” “Eye floaters are a common concern.” “Tracking exercises improve reading and writing.” “Function can change structure in the eye.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Functional Anatomy 03:05 Understanding Structural vs. Functional Anatomy 05:48 The Eye’s Anatomy: Cornea, Iris, and Sclera 09:04 The Lens and Its Role in Vision 12:04 The Retina: Function and Importance 15:02 Color Therapy and Its Impact on Vision 17:48 The Optic Nerve and Visual Pathways 20:57 Accommodation and Focusing Mechanisms 24:02 The Vitreous Body and Eye Health 26:58 Eye Muscles and Their Functions 29:48 Tracking and Eye Movement Exercises 33:06 Primitive Reflexes and Vision Therapy 36:04 The Role of Cranial Nerves in Eye Function 38:56 Strabismus and Vision Therapy Solutions 41:51 Conclusion: The Interconnection of Eye Function and Therapy Sam Berne (00:00.098) Hey everybody. Welcome to the podcast. So today I’m going to bring you into a lecture I gave on functional anatomy and this is something we use in our practitioner training. So I thought I would include part of it in the podcast. So I hope you enjoy the show. Here we go. Why do we want to learn anatomy? Well, if you’re going to be an expert in vision knowing the foundations of the major structures of the eye is very important. And one of the things I want to make a distinction about is structural anatomy. That means knowing the terms, you know, like this is the arm. This is the leg and you know, you can get into the more technical things that’s called structural anatomy, but that is static and that’s physical. What I have found is that when you look at the function of the eye, like how does it work? then that is a what we call dynamic aspect and vision is dynamic. It’s not static. And when you just focus on the structural aspects of anatomy and in this case the eyes, the only thing that you can offer is surgery needles and drugs. and that the eye is separate from the body. But in functional anatomy, what we know is that our eyes dynamically produce vision and adapt to environmental demands. And in functional anatomy, we emphasize how vision integrates with the brain, the vestibular system, and our body systems. Sam Berne (01:46.314) So understanding those roles, like when you work with kids, visual tracking, visual focus, visual coordination, visual perception, cognitive abilities, some of the gross motor skills like primitive reflexes or balance orientation, the functional aspects of vision and functional aspects of Anatomy opens the door for you to say, okay, I’m doing vision therapy today. I can offer you some nutritional counseling
Dr. Berne’s Travel Adventure–Part 1
Keywords Hawaii, travel, Maui, Molokai, adventure, nature, functional vision, wellness, retreats, exploration Summary In this episode, Sam Berne introduces his practitioners training program and membership offerings before transitioning into a personal narrative about his travels to Hawaii. He shares his experiences exploring the islands, particularly Maui and Molokai, highlighting the natural beauty, cultural significance, and personal connections he made during his adventures. The conversation emphasizes the importance of travel and exploration in personal growth and wellness. Takeaways The practitioners training program is open to non-eye doctors. Traveling can provide a sense of spiritual home. Hawaii offers diverse experiences from ocean to lava. Maui is known for its breathtaking landscapes and waterfalls. Molokai has a rich history and is less commercialized. Camping and hiking in Hawaii can be transformative experiences. Exploring different cultures enhances personal growth. Traveling allows for a deeper connection with nature. The importance of sharing personal stories and experiences. Creating a library of knowledge can benefit others. Sound Bites “I want to talk a little bit about travel.” “Hawaii felt like home to me.” “Molokai is a very interesting Island.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Program Announcements 02:23 Exploring the Beauty of Hawaii 03:12 Adventures in Maui and Molokai   Sam Berne (00:00) Hey everyone, welcome to the program today. So before we get into the main part, I want to make a few announcements. First of all, I am offering a practitioners training program and these are for non eye doctors. This is a program which is called functional vision integrative body and it’s a one-year program where I teach you the methods that I have developed. in physical therapy, educating your clients on how to improve their vision, their brain health, their body health from a physical, emotional and spiritual perspective. So if you’re interested in this program, and by the way, you don’t need to be an eye doctor. The way I’ve set up this program is you could be a massage therapist, a teacher, an occupational therapist, a psychologist, whatever. And program is geared as an educational coaching program so you won’t get in any trouble from any licensing boards but the information will be very effective in working with your clients. So if you’re interested you can go to my website DrSanBurn.com you can email me appointments at DrSanBurn.com and we can have a conversation and see if it’s right for you. The other thing is is I want to tell you about my membership program. We’re on year number three. I have got so much exclusive content in there. I’ve got different courses that I’ve taught and different ideas that I don’t want to put on social media a little too controversial but in the membership program or protected with confidentiality. Also, I’m now putting up some of my written blogs that I’ve done over the years. It’s really good stuff. stuff and I post three or four times a week just on the membership. So it’s 20 bucks a month. You have a seven-day free trial period. If you want to sign up, you can go to my homepage, dr. Sanburn.com under the word vision. You’ll see join membership and you can join for free and check it out and see if it’s for you. All right. So in today’s show, I’m not going to talk about eyes. In fact, you know what was interesting? I was having breakfast with a friend the other day and at the end of our conversation, she said, you know, I have a friend who’s got this condition called macular pucker. Have you ever heard of it? And I said, well, yes, I’ve worked with it a lot. And if you go to my YouTube channel and you type in macular pucker, Dr. Byrne, you’re probably going to get several free video blogs on macular pucker. He’s like, my goodness, you are the best, you know, that you have created this library, this archive. of eye conditions and you know I can’t say that I’ve created a video for every single eye condition but over the last seven years I have put together so many content pieces both in podcast form audio video written that it’s time for me to Broaden out a little bit and talk about some of my other interests and this may or may not be interesting to you but I want to talk a little bit about travel because I love travel and Some of the other things that I also am into I may do a podcast on it. So today I want to talk about Traveling to Hawaii. I don’t know how many people out there it in my community have been to Hawaii. know many of you have come to my dolphin swim retreats, my other retreats in Hawaii. So I want to talk a little bit about why I like Hawaii, some of the tips you can do if you travel there. My first entree in going to Hawaii was back in Januar
Fireside Chat- The Art of Content Creation and Building Your Brand
From Visionary Products to Empowering Knowledge: My Next Chapter My journey has always been about innovation, education, and integrity. While the chapter of selling products has come to a close, my mission to empower others is stronger than ever. Now, I am dedicated to sharing his intellectual property and leveraging decades of experience to educate entrepreneurs and professionals on navigating product liability, social media marketing, and brand development with clarity and confidence. Through engaging blogs, lectures, and podcasts, I offer actionable insights to help business owners protect themselves, build resilient brands, and make informed decisions in a complex marketplace. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned professional, or advocate of holistic health, my story and expertise can illuminate your path forward. Join me on this exciting new journey where knowledge becomes the most powerful product of all.   Visit my business website: www.eyeclaritybusinesssolutions.com Contact me for a consultation; [email protected]     Keywords marketing, branding, social media, audience targeting, content creation, influencer marketing, data analysis, legal considerations, brand story, pain points Summary In this conversation, Dr. Sam Berne shares valuable insights on improving marketing strategies and building a strong brand identity for businesses. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing social media effectively, understanding target audiences, and creating engaging content. Dr. Berne also discusses the significance of influencer marketing, data analysis, and legal considerations in business. Throughout the discussion, he highlights the need for businesses to stay agile and responsive to market demands while crafting a unique brand story that resonates with their audience. Takeaways Social media is a free way to build your brand. Brand identity is crucial for long-term success. Narrowing your target audience enhances engagement. TikTok can help your content go viral. You should think of yourself as a media company. Repurposing content can maximize reach. Email lists are a valuable asset for businesses. Influencer marketing can expand your audience. Analyzing data helps refine your marketing strategy. Identifying pain points can lead to business opportunities. Sound Bites: “Building a stronger brand identity is crucial.” “The customer is coming to you with branding.” “Narrowing your target audience is key.” “TikTok is one of the hottest platforms.” “You are now a media company.” “Your email list is gold.” “Stay agile and be able to pivot.” “Identifying pain points is striking gold.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Marketing and Branding Strategies 02:52 Building a Strong Brand Identity 05:53 Target Audience and Social Media Segmentation 08:58 Leveraging Social Media Platforms 12:11 Content Creation and Repurposing Strategies 15:03 Utilizing Podcasts and Newsletters 17:50 Influencer Marketing and Partnerships 20:46 Analyzing Data and Staying Agile 23:55 Legal Considerations in Business 26:50 Crafting Your Unique Brand Story 30:12 Identifying Pain Points in Your Market
Who Influenced Dr. Berne?
Keywords vision therapy, behavioral optometry, eye health, personal development, holistic healing, functional vision, primitive reflexes, meditation, emotional health, professional coaching Summary In this conversation, Sam Berne discusses his journey in the field of vision therapy, highlighting the influence of his mentors, Dr. Albert A. Shankman and Dr. Albert A. Sutton. He shares insights on the importance of holistic approaches to eye health, the role of emotional and physical well-being in vision improvement, and the significance of primitive reflexes in developmental optometry. Berne emphasizes the need for surrendering to the process of healing and the value of continuous learning in his practice. Takeaways Functional vision integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Vision therapy can significantly improve reading comprehension. Surrendering to the process is essential for healing. Primitive reflexes are crucial for children’s vision development. Holistic approaches are often overlooked in mainstream optometry. Continuous learning from mentors shapes professional growth. Emotional tension can manifest as vision problems. Building connections in the professional community is vital. Vision improvement requires commitment and consistency. Dr. Sutton’s techniques are applicable in special needs education. Sound Bites “Primitive reflexes start in utero.” “He was way ahead of his time.” “Take good care of your vision.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Functional Vision Integrative Body 04:12 The Influence of Dr. Albert A. Shankman 12:16 Learning from Dr. Albert A. Sutton Sam Berne (00:00.078) Hey everyone. Welcome to the program. Before we start. I have a few announcements. First of all, many of you know that I’ve started a practitioners training and it’s called functional vision integrative body. And this has come after 40 years of distilling A lot of information, not only about improving your eyes and vision, but things like brain health, body health, working on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, using things like color therapy, iridology, craniosacral, somatic movement and many other things. So I’ve written up this course for non eye doctor. So it’s a coaching program and it works for any practitioner. let’s say you’re a chiropractor and somebody comes in and they’re complaining about their eyes while they’re exercises and strategies and educational things that you can teach your clients or patients to get better. I’ve been working with a few body workers like massage therapists, craniosecral therapists, somatic experiencing therapists, and they’re just loving the program. So if you’re interested, contact me appointments at drsamburn.com and we can have a conversation, see if it’s a good fit for you. Sam Berne (01:39.842) The other thing I want to mention is my membership program. We’re going on year number three and what I’ve done is I’ve taken a lot of my creative energies that I used to put towards social media and I’ve created content that is exclusively for the membership. It’s about 20 bucks a month. It’s really worth it. If you’re interested in some of the deeper issues that might be going on not only about your eyes, but about health spirituality meditation energy medicine things like that. So if you’re interested in the membership, I highly recommend it. You can go to my website, drsamburn.com and right below the word vision. You’ll see membership and you can click on that and there’s a free seven-day period where you can join and you can peruse the content. What I’ve started to do over the last few weeks is post my written blogs. I’ve written a lot of written blogs over the years and I’m starting to post those in the membership. know some people like like to read and so we’re going to offer you things whether you listen watch or read. reduce the resistance in your quest of the information. The last thing I’m going to be offering which I’ve actually started is some professional coaching in the area of marketing, social media, brand building. Sam Berne (03:24.174) I’ve been very successful at doing those things. In fact, I was recognized by a nonprofit organization here in Santa Fe to offer seminars and do some private coaching. And of course, this is all volunteer, but I want to widen the net. So if you’re a health practitioner, if you’re a young entrepreneur, Contact me, you can go to my business website, iClarityBusinessSolutions.com and you can read some of my blogs and some of my offerings. And if you want some help in the area of growing your business, I love working with young entrepreneurs, that’s what I’ve done with this nonprofit. Contact me and we can see if we’re a good fit. Okay, let’s go on to the show today. M
The Earth is Talking: Are You Listening?
In this episode, I interview Doug Conwell, founder of Earthwalks, Which Explores the ancient cultural and earth wisdom traditions of the American Southwest and Mexico through guided journeys and service activities. For more information, contact Doug: www.earthwalks.org. E-mail: [email protected] For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Keywords Earthwalks, Doug Conwell, geomancy, listening to the earth, indigenous cultures, Celtic traditions, Chaco Canyon, personal transformation, retreats, community service Summary In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Sam Berne interviews Doug Conwell, the founder of Earthwalks, exploring themes of geomancy, indigenous cultures, and personal transformation through nature. Doug shares his journey from urban life to discovering the wisdom of the earth, emphasizing the importance of listening to nature and the experiences that shape our understanding of the world. The discussion also highlights the significance of Chaco Canyon and the retreats Doug leads, fostering community and connection with the earth. Takeaways • Doug Conwell founded Earthwalks to connect people with nature. • Geomancy involves listening to the earth’s energies. • Listening to the earth can be practiced anywhere, even in urban settings. • Indigenous cultures offer profound insights into nature and spirituality. • Personal initiations are essential for growth and transformation. • Chaco Canyon is a vital site for understanding earth energies. • Retreats provide a space for deep connection and healing. • Community engagement is a key aspect of Doug’s work. • The blending of indigenous and Celtic traditions enriches spiritual practices. • Nature holds immense wisdom that can guide our lives. Sound Bites • “There’s so much wisdom in the earth.” Chapters 00:00Introduction to Earthwalks and Doug Conwell 02:55Exploring Geomancy and Listening to the Earth 05:59Indigenous and Celtic Traditions: A Juxtaposition 09:04Personal Initiations and Transformative Experiences 11:32The Significance of Chaco Canyon 14:52Leading Retreats and Community Engagement Sam Berne (00:02) Hey everyone, it’s Dr. Sam and I’d like to welcome you to another podcast. So we have a great show today. I’ve invited a really special guest. He’s been a longtime friend Doug Conwell and you guys need to know about Doug. He’s an amazing person. He does a lot of different things service in the community, but he started this. guess he started this process many years ago called Earthwalks and I went on one of his retreats in Chaco Canyon last September and it was life-changing for me. And so I wanted to bring him on and I wanted to introduce him to the community. So Doug, welcome to the program. Give us a little bio so that people can get to know who you are. Doug Conwell (01:03) Sure, happy to do that. Originally from Colorado, Sam, from Denver. Born in Denver. My family moved from there to Texas and I lived on the border in El Paso for sixth grade through college and got a really good dose of the Mexican culture, which I just adore. And was in the military in the army for a couple years and came back to Colorado thinking it was home. And it was for a while, but this huge, relentless urban development that John Denver used to sing about, and he was promoting it while he was decrying it, sort of got to me and I realized that I was hearing a call elsewhere. And that call actually got into a book called The Spirit That Wants Me. It’s an anthology of different writers, and I’m one of them that’s in it. The you know, is the spirit of this region where we’re living here in Santa Fe, the Four Corners region. But I moved to Santa Fe almost 50 years ago, about 47, 47 years ago, to actually go to massage school while I was getting my master’s degree in criminal justice and public administration. I was on a track to be wearing the American noose, which is called a necktie, and go up the ladder and… Little did I know I had a lot of changes in store for me. So that’s what happened. I started hearing that call and you know, earth energies, earth mysteries, all of those things were kind of new to me. Finding out about this word called geomancy, divining with earth energies. We were in massage school and we were dealing with our earth bodies and the energies within our… our earth bodies, which you talk about so much, Sam, and you deal with your clients. That’s so important, I know, vital. And I found out, I think it was probably while I was in massage school, about this thing called geomancy. And ended up exploring that whole area of lay lines, sacred geometry, sacred architecture, sacred sites. Definitely Chaco was one of those. And with a friend of mine, we started leading small groups of people
New Inspirations For 2025 on Vision and Health–Part 1
Please check out my membership. Access to my video: The 7 Day Liver Cleanse. Click link to watch: https://drsambernesmembership.com/zen/7-day-liver-cleanse-members-852bfb   Practitioners! Consider my practitioners’ course. Link: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ Show Notes: Keywords vision therapy, mentorship, eye health, functional vision, holistic health, Sam Berne, optometry, brain health, emotional health, spiritual health Summary In this conversation, Sam Berne discusses his journey in the field of optometry, focusing on the development of his Functional Vision Integrative Body program. He reflects on the importance of mentorship in his career, highlighting key figures who influenced his approach to vision therapy and holistic health. Berne emphasizes the integration of various therapeutic modalities and the impact of vision therapy on cognitive and emotional well-being. Takeaways Sam Berne has developed a program called Functional Vision Integrative Body. The program integrates various therapeutic modalities for holistic health. Mentorship played a crucial role in Berne’s professional development. Dr. Bob Sanit was a significant mentor in vision therapy. Vision therapy can lead to neuroplasticity and cognitive improvements. Berne emphasizes the importance of emotional and spiritual health. He offers professional coaching for health practitioners and entrepreneurs. The membership program provides exclusive content on health and spirituality. Berne’s experiences in San Diego shaped his approach to optometry. He values the relationships built with mentors throughout his career. Sound Bites “I highly recommend it.” “I know you East Coast people.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Functional Vision Integrative Body 03:05 The Impact of Mentorship in Optometry 10:05 Reflections on Influential Figures in Vision Therapy Sam Berne (00:00) Hey everyone, welcome to the program. Before we start. I have a few announcements. First of all, many of you know that I’ve started a practitioners training and it’s called functional vision integrative body. And this has come after 40 years of distilling a lot of information, not only about improving your eyes and vision, but things like brain health, body health, working on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, using things like color therapy, iridology, craniosacral, somatic movement and many other things. So I’ve written up this course for non eye doctor. So it’s a coaching program and it works for any practitioner. let’s say you’re a chiropractor and somebody comes in and they’re complaining about their eyes while they’re exercises and strategies and educational things that you can teach your clients or patients to get better. I’ve been working with a few body workers like massage therapists, craniosecral therapists, somatic experiencing therapists, and they’re just loving the program. So if you’re interested, contact me appointments at drsamburn.com and we can have a conversation. See if it’s a good fit for you. The other thing I want to mention is my membership program. We’re going on year number three and what I’ve done is I’ve taken a lot of my creative energies that I used to put towards social media and I’ve created content that is exclusively for the membership. about 20 bucks a month. It’s really worth it. If you’re interested in some of the deeper issues that might be going on not only about your eyes, but about health, spirituality, meditation, energy, medicine, things like that. So if you’re interested in the membership, I highly recommend it. You can go to my website, drsamburn.com and right below the word vision, you’ll see membership and you can click on that and there’s a free day of free seven day period where you can join and you can peruse the content. What I’ve started to do over the last few weeks is post my written blogs. I’ve written a lot of written blogs over the years and I’m starting to post those in the membership. know some people like like to read and so we’re going to offer you things whether you listen watch or read. reduce the resistance in your quest of the information. The last thing I’m going to be offering which I’ve actually started is some professional coaching in the area of marketing, social media, brand building. I’ve been very successful at doing those things. In fact, I was recognized by a nonprofit organization here in Santa Fe to offer seminars and do some private coaching. And of course, this is all volunteer, but I want to widen the net. So if you’re a health practitioner, if you’re a young entrepreneur, Contact me, you can go to my business website, eyeclaritybusinesssolutions.com and you can read some of my blogs and some of my offerings. And if you want some help in the area of gro
Unlocking the Liver-Gallbladder Connection
Are you a practitioner? Learn about Dr. Berne’s practitioner’s program here: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/ For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: https://drsambernesmembership.com/ Keywords liver health, gallbladder, eye health, detoxification, herbal remedies, nutrition, holistic health, acupuncture, wellness, vision Summary In this episode, Dr. Sam Berne explores the intricate connection between liver and gallbladder health and its impact on vision. He discusses the liver’s multifaceted functions, the role of the gallbladder, and how liver health directly influences eye health. Dr. Berne shares various detoxification strategies, herbal remedies, and a comprehensive seven-day detox program to enhance liver and gallbladder function, ultimately supporting better vision and overall wellness. Takeaways The liver is a detoxification organ with over 500 functions. Liver health is crucial for eye health and vision. Bile production and fat absorption are essential for nutrient uptake. Herbs like milk thistle and dandelion root support liver health. Hydration and bitter greens stimulate bile flow. Emotional health can be affected by liver congestion. A liver gallbladder cleanse can improve vitamin absorption. A balanced diet is key for liver and gallbladder health. Spending time in nature can enhance overall well-being. Regular detoxification can lead to better eyesight and energy levels. Sound Bites “Milk thistle helps in liver regeneration.” “Bitter greens help stimulate bile flow.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Liver and Gallbladder Health 01:51 Understanding Liver Functions 03:15 The Role of the Gallbladder 06:04 Connection Between Liver Health and Eye Health 07:56 Detoxification Strategies for Liver and Gallbladder 12:12 Seven-Day Detox Program Overview   Hey everybody, it’s Dr. Sam and I’d like to welcome you to the burn podcast today. We’re to be talking about the liver gallbladder connection as it relates to vision. Before we get to that. I want to remind people about my membership. Dr. Sam burn membership. This has exclusive content things you won’t see on social media my online courses and other very interesting opinions. That I don’t put on social media. So if you want to join you can go to my website, dr. Sam burn.com and in the home page, you’ll see join membership to today’s show. So I don’t know whether you know this, but I discovered it when I first moved to Santa Fe. It’s been over 30 years and I met an acupuncturist who was working a lot with liver gallbladder health as it relates to eye health. Now in optometry school, I never knew anything around the connection between the liver gallbladder and the eyes. And when I took some courses in acupuncture, I couldn’t believe as we studied the meridians of the body, how much the liver gallbladder has on our not only our eye health, but our digestive health, our brain health. And yet it’s something in allopathic medicine that’s pretty overlooked. So I want to talk about that relationship today. What you can do to support better liver gallbladder health. What’s the function of the liver gallbladder? What are some detoxes you can do? So that’s going to be our show for today. So let’s start with the basics. What is the function of the liver? Well, it’s a detoxification organ. has over 500 functions in the body as a detoxification organ. It helps filter things like toxins in the environment drugs that you might be taking and it also removes metabolic waste from the blood. The liver also produces bile which aids our digestion and helps in the absorption of fat soluble. Sam Berne (02:20.558) foods and vitamins. Probably the main ones are vitamin A, which is great for our retina cornea eyelids and lutein and zeaxanthin which help prevent macular degeneration. The liver also helps in the metabolism of our fats proteins and carbohydrates. The liver also stores our glycogen. Here are a list of vitamins that store the liver vitamin A D E and K also stores vitamin B12. Now, if you’re a vegan or a vegetarian, you want to make sure you’re getting some type of vitamin B12 supplement. The liver also synthesizes blood clotting factors. Liver also boosts the immune system. It has something called cup for cells and these cells destroy pathogens. and old blood cells. The gallbladder is very interesting because it actually stores the bile that the liver produces. So the gallbladder holds the fats until digestion is needed. Bile goes into the small intestine to emulsify fats for absorption. It also assists in the breakdown of cholesterol. What are the signs we see in the eye if a person has difficulty breaking down and excreting the cholesterol? is an Archesinellus, a white ring tha
Eyeglass Prescriptions Are Like a Drug
Keywords myopia, eye strain, reduced prescription, vision correction, eye health, nearsightedness, eye muscles, prescription glasses, vision therapy, eye fatigue Summary In this episode, Dr. Sam Berne addresses a common concern regarding myopia and the adjustment to reduced prescriptions. He explains the physiological and psychological factors contributing to eye strain and muscle tension when transitioning to a less strong prescription. Dr. Berne emphasizes the importance of understanding the habits that lead to eye strain and offers practical advice for easing into new prescriptions, ultimately highlighting the potential benefits of reduced prescriptions for improving overall eye health. Takeaways Reduced prescriptions can reveal underlying eye muscle tension. Eye strain is often a result of habitual squinting and straining. Adjusting to a reduced prescription requires patience and practice. Wearing a less strong prescription can improve distance vision over time. Overcorrection in eye exams can lead to unnecessary strain. Prescription glasses can have side effects similar to medication. Understanding your prescription is key to managing eye health. Children may need guidance to adapt to new prescriptions. Chronic eye issues may improve with reduced prescriptions. Awareness of eye habits is crucial for better vision. Sound Bites “Any prescription that you wear is like a drug.” Chapters 00:00 Understanding Myopia and Reduced Prescriptions 02:56 The Impact of Eye Strain and Muscle Tension 04:54 Adjusting to New Prescriptions and Habits   Hey everybody, it’s Dr. Sam and I’d like to welcome you to the podcast. So I received a question from a mom who I’m working with her son who’s got nearsightedness. This is a very interesting question. So I gave him a prescription that reduces his myopia and she said that he’s having a hard time adjusting to the prescription that is creating eye strain and his eye muscles hurt and she wants to know Sam Berne (00:30.71) what she can do to tell him to get used to the prescription. Well, it’s interesting because when you’re presented with a reduced prescription, your eyes should relax. Basically, any reduced prescription is saying, can I let go with my muscles and can I release and relax? Sam Berne (00:56.694) Now in this particular case, there’s two possible scenarios going on. The first is that and this is very common with people that start wearing reduced prescriptions. They start feeling their eye muscles more and they start feeling this area. Whereas before it was very a very unrealized area, meaning they had no awareness of it. And so when you wear something that’s less tight, Sam Berne (01:26.402) Guess what happens all of that tightness that you’ve absorbed over years of the strong prescription. You feel that so it’s showing you what’s already there. It’s not causing it, but the relaxation potential is showing you the tension that you’ve been carrying for a long time. The second part of this is Sam Berne (01:54.921) It’s not the prescription that’s causing the eye tension. It’s the attitude and habits that we bring to the prescription that creates the eye tension. So this means that we’re so used to having it clear that when we’re given a softer prescription and it’s a little on the soft blurry side, we immediately want to get rid of it by squinting and straining. Sam Berne (02:23.595) So we’re back to our old habits again. Sam Berne (02:28.321) Yeah, exactly. So the reduced prescription is going to confront the habit of you wanting to squint and strain and muscle it. So what I told the mother is just invite the child to wear this reduced prescription at near at the 14 inches, maybe maybe 20 inches at the most. But don’t try to wear it in the distance for now. Sam Berne (02:56.171) I mean the prescription was prescribed for near vision to begin with and it can be a big jump and kind of disorienting if you get this reduced prescription and you have the expectation that it should be clear in the distance. Now what will happen over time is that if you get used to the reduced prescription you’ll notice that your distance acuity improves and you know, you’re there when Sam Berne (03:25.633) You then put on the strong prescription and you start getting a headache. You start feeling the eye ache and you go, wow, this is what I used to wear all the time. And now I’m aware that it’s too tight for me. It’s too strong for me. And you know, I have to say that in my years of practice, I would reduce so many prescriptions during the exam. Sam Berne (03:54.741) And people actually saw more clearly because the way the eye exam is done. Sam Berne (04:01.015) You’re going to overcorrect people. You’re going to make the lens too strong. And you know, this really speaks to some of the adults that have
Dr. Berne’s Interview on KKCR, Kauai
Keywords holistic eye care, vision improvement, eye health tips, behavioral optometry, Sam Berne, eye exercises, nutrition for eyes, blue light protection, workshops, private sessions summary In this engaging conversation, Dr. Sam Berne shares his insights on holistic eye care, emphasizing the importance of daily habits for maintaining eye health. He discusses the impact of nutrition, sunlight, and eye exercises, while also highlighting his workshops and private sessions aimed at personalized care. The discussion also touches on the effects of screen time on vision and the significance of blue light protection. takeaways • Dr. Sam Berne is a behavioral optometrist with a holistic approach. • Morning sunlight is crucial for resetting circadian rhythms. • A diet rich in colorful vegetables supports eye health. • Eye exercises can enhance circulation and oxygenation in the eyes. • Light is essential for overall health and energy fields. • Social media has expanded Dr. Berne’s reach to a global audience. • Workshops are tailored to individual goals and health needs. • Private sessions focus on treating the root causes of vision problems. • Blue light from screens can negatively affect eye health. • The Palm Hum exercise is beneficial for relaxation and eye care Sound Bites • “Get some morning sunlight.” • “Light is a food, don’t be afraid of it.” • “Blue light can dry your eyes out.” • “It’s the Palm Hum by Dr. Sam.” Chapters 00:00Introduction and Welcome Back to Kauai 01:59Understanding Holistic Eye Care 04:59Daily Habits for Eye Health 08:57Exploring Sam’s Books and Workshops 11:55Private Sessions and Personalized Care 16:00The Impact of Screens on Eye Health Here for my interview on KKCR, Public Radio Kauai. I was here about a year and a half ago and back again with my friend Tracy Shavarone, who’s gonna have me on and interview me. So stay tuned. to Dr. Sam Berne. Aloha Sam. Aloha. So nice to see you in person. I know we’re face to face. We’re face to face. Eye to eye. Welcome back to Kauai. Yeah, feels great to be here. We just had 15 inches of snow in Santa Fe so nice to be in the tropics. Isn’t that kind of unusual to have that much snow this early? Well it used to be with climate change you know we’re getting that much snow but back in the 90s yeah we used to get that kind of snow end of October beginning in November what a blessing you know it lowers the fire risk and Anyway, it’s great to be here in the humidity. was mentioning I was in New Mexico in October and it was very, very dry. I definitely had to put lotion on my skin. It is a high desert environment. I have to warn people about that. It was so beautiful. Mexico is just spectacular. It really is the land of enchantment. really is and so much space there, open land, great hiking, nature, Chaco Canyon and all those magical places. Sam Berne (01:34.765) Well, and of course, kawaii has its own magic, which brings you back. I know it’s like a magnet that keeps bringing me back. So for those of you who have never met Dr. Sam Byrne, I’m going to have him like introduce himself. But he’s the author of many books and he is a holistic, I would say a holistic eye doctor. I don’t know if that’s what you would consider yourself, but. Yes, well I’m a behavioral optometrist, doctor of optometry, but I have studied many different healing modalities and my mission is to help people regain their eyesight if it’s deteriorating, improve their vision as they get older, work with kids with learning problems and the spectrum disorders, autism, the ADD, there’s a very big vision component. to it, traumatic brain injury, people that want to reduce their prescriptions. So I’ve devoted my career, you know, it’s four decades, and still going strong, helping people with their health and their vision. But you do use it well, except your holistic approaches. Yeah, well, know, when listeners, you go to the eye doctor and they give you a stronger prescription and they tell you how you have a disease and you’re going to lose your sight or drug surgery and needles. That’s the, the standard care. So just learning things like functional medicine, what do you eat to preserve your eyes? How does the sun affect your eyes? What about being on computers? You know, so there’s a lot of things that you can do to take better care of this major modality that we relate to the world with. And usually I get people where they’ve gone to the doctor and it’s, my goodness, I’m going to lose my sight or I have to get surgery. And that’s where I come in and I can… Sam Berne (03:34.797) do some interventions to help them. for people listening right now, what are some of the daily habits people can incorporate to keep their eyes as healthy as possible or even improve their eye health? Wel
Beyond Central Vision: Improving Periphery with Binasal Tapes
Keywords binasal tapes, vision therapy, eye health, neuroplasticity, peripheral vision, double vision, lazy eye, visual coordination, stress relief, alternative therapies Summary In this conversation, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the concept and application of binasal tapes, a technique used in vision therapy. He shares his experiences and the origins of this method, highlighting its benefits for various visual issues such as double vision and lazy eye. The discussion emphasizes the importance of peripheral vision and how binaural tapes can help in enhancing visual coordination and relaxation, especially under stress. Takeaways • Binasal tapes are used to enhance peripheral vision. • The technique was taught to Dr. Sam by Dr. Ellis Edelman. • Binasal tapes can help with double vision and lazy eye. • The eyes are connected to the brain’s mapping through visual input. • Using these tapes can lead to profound visual relaxation. • Stress affects vision and can lead to tunneling of sight. • Binasal tapes provide a reference point for better vision. • The technique is beneficial for patients with TBI. • Neuroplasticity plays a role in how we perceive vision. • The method is a gentle nudge to engage peripheral vision. Sound Bites • “These tapes help you in that process.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Binasal Tapes 02:48 The Technique and Its Origins 06:12 Applications and Benefits of Binasal Tapes Sam Berne (00:02.222) Hey everybody, welcome to the program today. I’m on my morning walk here in the forest and I thought I’d bring you along. I received a question from a listener on what are binasal tapes and how do they work? So think about a pair of glasses and on the inside part of the glasses like on the we call it the nasal part or the nose part. We actually apply about one inch of tape on either side of the lenses. So you’ve got it on your right and the left and you have this tape in the middle. So it’s by the nose, it’s by the nasal, it’s by the sinus. We call these bi-nasal tapes. What are these and how do they work? Well, I have to rewind and I want to give many of my mentors kudos for sharing this with me. One of my former partners, Dr. Ellis Edelman. I was in practice with him for five years in Newtown square, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. And when I started working with Dr. Edelman, I had just graduated the gazelle Institute and Dr. Edelman was a graduate of the Gazelle Institute, except he had graduated about 40 years before I did. So he had a lot of experience and I thought this would be a good place to apprentice. so I began my practice in his office. I started renting space from him and it’s kind of hard to get patients. took a while. We were in a very conservative area of the main line of Philadelphia. Sam Berne (01:51.598) And people were not open at that time to alternative therapies. This was in the mid 1980s, but I hung out, hung in there with it and slowly and surely I began to attract my practice, my patients, and I built it up quite successfully, which I sold at the end of 1989 and moved out here to New Mexico. in 1990 and started a practice in 1992. Just to give you some orientation. One of the techniques that dr. Edelman taught me was how to work with people either who over focused or tunneled their vision. And you know, when you tunnel your vision, you exclude your peripheral vision. One of that has to do with myopia. where you just tighten up your vision and you you narrow it. So that would be one place where you might want to say, okay, how can we enhance your peripheral vision? Another application that we would see is double vision. So with the two eyes weren’t working together how to work with this and then of course the third situation would be if somebody had a crossed eye or a even a wandering eye or they had lazy eye. So one I saw more clearly than the other. So he showed me this technique where you put black tape on the inside part of both lenses. And what it did immediately for most people is that gave them a reference point on where they needed to look and where they needed to look is where they weren’t looking. Meaning that when you put something right in front of your eyes like this, you start opening up your peripheral vision. And if you want to reduce double vision, the way to do that is to enhance your peripheral vision on both sides. You know, the bigger the visual field, the more chance you have for the two eyes to overlap, especially if they’re separating. Sam Berne (04:13.9) And so these binasal tapes would get in the way of people’s habits of either tunneling crossing wandering double vision and it also would help wake up the eye that maybe wasn’t seeing as well. we do testing in the area of what we call visual coordination how well the two eyes work together and by putting these tapes on the inside part of the glasses. First of all, you would feel a lot of eye relaxation and relief a
Emotions and Vision: A Deep Dive
Keywords visual system, nervous system, neuroplasticity, vision therapy, stress and vision, eye health, cranial nerves, emotional vision, visual processing, brain function Summary: In this episode, Dr. Sam Berne explores the intricate relationship between the visual system and the nervous system. He discusses how stress impacts vision, the role of neuroplasticity in vision rehabilitation, and the importance of understanding the visual pathway and processing in the brain. The conversation highlights the significance of the vagus nerve, emotional states, and various therapies that can enhance visual health and overall well-being. Takeaways: • The nervous system is crucial for resilience against stress. • Vision is not just about the eyes; it’s a brain-body connection. • The visual pathway includes the retina, optic nerve, and brain regions. • Stress can lead to visual issues like myopia and eye strain. • The vagus nerve plays a key role in relaxation and vision. • Neuroplasticity allows for improvement in visual processing. • Visual therapy can help rewire the brain for better vision. • Emotions significantly influence our visual perception. • Craniosacral therapy can aid in visual and nervous system balance. • Understanding the connection between stress and vision is vital. Sound Bites • “The nervous system reflects our ability to become resilient.” • “The eyes are a sensory organ connected to the brain.” • “Visual processing occurs in the occipital lobe of the brain.” Chapters 00:00Understanding the Visual System and Nervous System Connection 02:59The Visual Pathway and Brain Processing 05:57The Role of the Nervous System in Vision 08:52Neuroplasticity and Vision Rehabilitation 11:03Stress, Vision, and Neurological Disorders Hey everybody. Welcome to the Berne podcast. It’s great to be in today. And today I want to talk about understanding your visual system as it relates to the nervous system. This is one of the topics we talk about in our practitioner training, but I also talked to many of my patients about it because they’re so stressed out and our nervous system reflects our ability. to become resilient with stress. So there is a very strong relationship between the nervous system and our vision. In fact, it is so deeply interconnected because it’s not just about our eyes, but it’s about the process between our eyes, our brain and our body. And since the eyes are a sensory organ. We can see the nerves that are connecting into the eyes like our pupil responses as one example. Another example is eye movements. In fact, there are three cranial nerves that innervate the eye muscles cranial nerve 3 cranial nerve 4 and cranial nerve 6. So if we’ve got visual coordination problems strabismus amblyopia, sometimes it’s related to an imbalance in the nerves as it relates to the eyes. So the first thing I want to bring up in our visual system is something called our visual pathway. And so the eyes convert light when the light strikes the retina. These electrical signals are stimulating the photoreceptors the rods and codes in the retina and sending these signals. They’re transmitting them basically through I call the fiber optic pathway the optic nerve and this visual pathway includes the retina. which is the photoreceptors the optic nerve, which is that fiber optic pathway that connects the retina to the brain something called the optic chiasm the point where the nerves cross in the brain and then this visual information we then reaches the hemispheres of the brain. have the right brain and the left brain. So we talk about the visual information processing and another part of the brain. We talk about is something called the lateral geniculate nucleus, which is located in the thalamus and this is related to our visual information to the visual cortex the back part of the brain. This is the occipital lobe of the brain where the majority of our visual processing occurs. This is where we get things like depth perception color processing motion detection. And so we’ve had say cervical spine compression or if that traumatic brain injury many times the visual cortex that occipital part of the lobe of the brain is not able to handle the visual information processing. This is why we get issues with brain fog visual memory visual confusion. If the visual cortex is not capturing the vision that were taking in through the eyes. The output is going to be impeded. So we have input we have processing in the brain and then we have output. Now the nervous system plays a critical role in interpreting these signals and they turn them into coherent visual perception our ability to see motion our spatial awareness our spatial IQ and decision-making our shape recognition all of these things. are in influenced by our nervous system. So when we talk about our autonomic nervous system, we’re talking about some of the involuntary physiological
Can Pinhole Glasses Improve Your Eyesight and Vision?
Keywords pinhole glasses, vision improvement, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, eye strain, depth of field, eye health, visual habits, retraining vision Summary In this episode of the Berne Podcast, Sam Berne discusses the concept of pinhole glasses, exploring their functionality, benefits, and limitations. Pinhole glasses are designed to improve vision by reducing light scatter and enhancing depth of field. While they can provide temporary relief from eye strain and improve clarity for certain vision conditions, they are not a permanent solution and require retraining of visual habits for long-term effectiveness. takeaways • Pinhole glasses reduce scatter of light and improve clarity. • They can help with conditions like myopia and astigmatism. • Wearing them can reduce eye strain, especially at the computer. • They enhance depth of field, allowing clearer vision at different distances. • Pinhole glasses can help retrain the eyes to focus without magnification. • They are a temporary solution and not a cure for vision problems. • Using them requires practice and adjustment to new visual habits. • Bright light is essential for effective use of pinhole glasses. • They may not be effective in dim lighting conditions. • Long-term vision improvement requires deeper retraining beyond just using pinhole glasses. Titles • Can Pinhole Glasses Improve Your Eyesight? • Pinhole Glasses: A New Approach to Eye Health Sound Bites • “Are they good for you? Do they work?” • “Pinhole glasses actually reduce the scatter of light.” • “They enhance something called depth of field.” Chapters 00:00Introduction to Pinhole Glasses 00:45How Pinhole Glasses Work 02:12Benefits of Pinhole Glasses 03:35Limitations and Considerations Hey everyone, welcome to the Berne Podcast. In today’s show, I’m gonna talk about pinhole glasses. Are they good for you? Do they work? What in the heck do they actually do? Stay tuned. So these are pinhole glasses. It’s a type of eyewear that has tiny holes in the glasses. There’s no prescription. Do they work? How do they work? That’s what I want to discuss today. Pinhole glasses are a type of eyewear that contain a lot of little holes. Unlike traditional glasses, pinhole glasses actually reduce the scatter of light. and they block the indirect light into the eyes. Pinhole glasses are marketed as a vision improvement technique to help conditions like myopia, hyperopia astigmatism and presbyopia. A description I use for pinhole glasses is limited light entry into the eyes. The holes in the glasses focus the light rays onto the retina. Light enters the eye from the multiple directions. This leads to blurry eyesight. So in the pinhole glasses, the only light that gets through is parallel and is focused directly onto the retina. The pinhole glasses enhance something called depth of field. This means that it allows you to see objects at different distances very clearly since the pinhole glasses block peripheral vision. It limits the amount of aberrations that we might see normally. which again creates some blurry distorted eyesight conditions like double vision presbyopia or astigmatism might be helped by using the pinhole glasses. If you put the pinhole glasses on you’ll probably be able to read the distance eye chart more clearly. You see the eye chart more clearly using the pinhole glasses. You start to prove to the brain and the mind that you can actually have clear eyesight. Sam Berne (02:12.172) without your regular lenses. Pinhole glasses may reduce eye strain, especially if you use them at the computer. One of the things I have found with pinhole glasses is they work really well for people who are dependent on magnifying glasses. So whether you’ve got hyperopia in the distance and or presbyopia up close when you put on the pinhole glasses, you will be able to see the world very clearly. without the magnification effects of the regular lenses. One of the side effects of magnification lenses is it makes your eye muscles unresponsive to focusing. This is where the pinhole glasses can reprogram your eyes and your brain to learn how to focus again. It’s miraculous when you put the pinhole glasses on because the print is very clear and this is very unusual. without the pinhole glasses and without the magnifiers. Usually the print is too blurry to be able to see. So by wearing the pinhole glasses about 10 minutes a day, you start reading through the holes. It begins to change the habit that the farsighted magnifying glasses have done to your eyes. This is one benefit of using the pinhole glasses as a substitute for your magnification lenses. For myopia, it’s a little different situation because minus lenses that you wear are matching the over focusing that you’re doing. And although the pinhole glasses may make the world a little clearer, it’s not really helping you change the soft focusing that you need to lea
Dr. Berne’s Interview with “The Sports Doctor”– On Holistic Eye Care
Keywords vision, eyesight, holistic eye care, diet, concussions, protective eyewear, eye exercises, brain plasticity, sports vision, eye health Summary In this conversation, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the holistic approach to eye care, emphasizing the distinction between eyesight and vision. He highlights the importance of diet, the impact of screen time on eye health, and the connection between concussions and vision. Dr. Berne advocates for protective eyewear in sports and shares insights on the plasticity of the eyes and brain, suggesting that vision training can enhance athletic performance. Takeaways Vision is a holistic process involving the eyes, brain, and body. Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health. Screen time has detrimental effects on children’s vision. Artificial blue light disrupts sleep patterns and eye health. Concussions can lead to significant visual system issues. Protective eyewear is vital for athletes in contact sports. Eye exercises can improve vision and brain function. The eyes and brain can adapt and improve with training. Nutrition and functional medicine are gaining attention in eye care. Sports vision training can enhance performance in athletes. Sound Bites “Eyesight is only one part of vision.” “People get older and their eyes get better.” “The eyes have one of the highest metabolic needs.” Chapters 00:00 Understanding Vision vs. Eyesight 03:08 The Impact of Diet on Eye Health 06:09 The Connection Between Concussions and Vision 09:02 The Importance of Protective Eyewear 12:09 The Plasticity of the Eyes and Brain 15:00 Enhancing Performance Through Vision Training Dr. Sam Berne, welcome to the fourth doctor. Thanks, Dr. Bob. Great to be here. Sounds good. So when you go for an eye exam, you know, the doctor has you read the eye chart and you get the reading 2020. That’s a measurement of your eyesight. But vision is how the eyes in the brain and the body work together. So eyesight is only one part of vision. So as a holistic eye doctor, I look at the eyes as an interrelated interconnected part of the body and there are things that you can do to improve your vision even as you get older. And that’s kind of the difference between the regular eye care. They just say your eyes get worse as you get older. my practice, people get older and their eyes get better. Well, exactly because the eyes have one of the highest metabolic needs of the body highly concentrated with those tiny blood vessels. So it’s one of the entryways into the body like the foot and you can pick up disease very early. And of course in diabetes, this is a real vulnerable area. I’m talking about the retina. So, you know, if you have glucose levels that are off the charts or your pre-diabetic You’re going to see it in the eyes. It’s going to be one of the first places and then you can treat it by doing some holistic things if you want to. big emphasis on prevention. You know, it’s being proactive, you know, just with diet alone, the eyes and the brain make up about 2 % of the body weight and use 25 % of the food intake. So if you cut out processed foods and sugar and mostly gluten and you eat, you know, the colorful vegetables and berries get enough healthy fats in your diet that in itself. can keep your eyesight healthy and well as you get older. Well, when you get glasses as a child, what it’s doing is it’s reinforcing the problem that’s causing the need for glasses to begin with. So, you know, again, back to the holistic perspective, I find the cause and treat that and we know that the eyes originate from the brain. And so if you do eye exercises, not only are you changing the brain, but you’re also changing the eyes. And of course, the other thing that’s going on with kids is screen time. So the more screen time they have, this is really wreaking havoc. And then with COVID, where schools were just online, I got so many complaints from parents and kids about eye strain, eye fatigue, red eyes, blurred vision, dry eye, and so on. So I think the screens are another factor that we have to look at in terms of helping kids improve their vision. Well, more more research is coming out about the damaging effects of the artificial blue light. It’s a chaotic frequency. And first of all, it messes with our circadian rhythm. If we’re staring at a screen after 6 p.m. suppresses the melatonin, as you know, but it also can dry the eye tissue out. And, you know, in severe cases, it can start to cause things like macular degeneration and cataracts. So we need to protect our eyes. Mm-hmm. magazine. A lot of excitement. get from Twitter and LinkedIn over the years. We’re speaking with Dr. Sam Bernie, the holistic Again, behavioral eye health. I wanted to ask you Sam again about your thoughts with the world of concussions and the whole eye connection. So I’ve done research and published o
Foods To Avoid If You Want To Make Your Vision (and Health) Better
Keywords eye health, nutrition, worst foods, vision, cataracts, diabetes, inflammation, antioxidants, omega-3, vitamins summary In this podcast episode, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the worst foods for eye health, emphasizing how certain dietary choices can negatively impact vision and contribute to various eye conditions. He outlines ten specific food categories that should be avoided, including sugary foods, refined carbohydrates, trans fats, high sodium foods, processed meats, fried foods, artificial sweeteners, excessive alcohol, red meat, and high sugar breakfast cereals. Dr. Berne concludes with recommendations for a diet that supports eye health, highlighting the importance of omega-3s, vitamins, and colorful vegetables. takeaways Sugary foods and drinks are detrimental to eye health. Refined carbohydrates can increase the risk of cataracts. Trans fats contribute to inflammation affecting the eyes. High sodium diets can lead to hypertensive retinopathy. Processed meats are linked to poor eye health. Fried foods create oxidative stress and inflammation. Artificial sweeteners can cause eye inflammation. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dry eye syndrome. High consumption of red meat is linked to macular degeneration. A diet rich in omega-3s and vitamins is essential for eye health. titles Foods That Harm Your Eyes Eye Health: What Not to Eat Sound Bites “These sugars are a death spiral for our eyes.” “Refined carbs increase your risk for cataracts.” “Trans fats contribute to inflammation in the eyes.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Eye Health and Nutrition 01:00 The Worst Foods for Eye Health 08:03 Conclusion and Recommendations for Eye Health   Hey everybody, it’s Dr. Sam. I’d like to welcome you to the podcast today. So I want to talk about the worst foods for your eyes. know, usually we talk about what are the best foods, know, like avocados and goji berries and wild-caught salmon, but I want to talk about the worst foods today. So nutrition for eye health. There’s certain foods that so negatively affect your eyes, you know, when people come for eye exams and they’ve got like hypertensive, hypertensive retinopathy or diabetic retinopathy or they are developing cataracts and I asked them what they’re eating and you know, I have to scratch my head because well, these are some of the reasons why your eyes are letting you down. you know conditions like macular degeneration cataracts dry eye even general vision. deterioration. Here are some of the worst foods for your eye health. Number one, sugary foods and sugary drinks. So when we have things like Diet Coke or Pepsi or we’re eating, you know, things like sweetened coffee, tea, desserts, sugary cereals, candy, pastries, all of these sugars. really are a death spiral for our eyes. I mean, if you want to really trash your eyesight, then just eat things like candy pastries, sugary cereals, soda, sweetened coffee, tea and desserts and you will get there. Number two, what’s also really bad for your eyes are the refined carbohydrates because these spike your blood sugar levels. Sam Berne (02:01.853) And when you eat foods that are say high glycemic index, this increases your risk for things like cataracts. We talk about something called the glycation process. So if you have moderate to high levels of glucose in your blood, those glucose molecules will attach to the protein molecules in the lens. And this is what creates cataracts. Same thing for diabetes. If you’ve got again. These refined carbohydrates, then you have a higher risk of number one getting inflammation number two getting oxidative stress and number three over time. You are going to have what we call reactive oxygen species, which contributes to these eye conditions. So what are some examples of refined carbs white bread white rice anything that’s white pasta processed snacks crackers chips again really bad for your eyes. Okay. Number three trans fats and hydrogenated oils. Why is this so bad because trans fats contribute? to inflammation which can increase the risk of things like blepharitis my bone and gland dysfunction. Those are when the eyelids get inflamed and creates dry eye macular degeneration whether it’s wet or dry again, these unhealthy fats interfere with the absorption of the essential nutrients like omega-3s which are crucial for eye health. So what are some examples fried foods margarine packaged? baked goods and processed snacks. All right, let’s go to number four high sodium foods. Well diets high in sodium lead to high blood pressure. had a guy yesterday came to my office. He’s got really high blood pressure. I asked him what he’s eating. He says well canned soups processed meats frozen dinners fast food all of these things are going to affect the delicate blood vessels. call them the micro capillaries of the retina. Sam Berne (04:12.172) This creates hyper
Clear or Blurry Future? Exploring Light Adjustable Lenses for Cataract Surgery
Keywords light adjustable lenses, cataract surgery, vision correction, depth perception, blue light protection Summary In this podcast episode, Dr. Sam Berne discusses light adjustable lenses (LAL) used in cataract surgery, explaining their benefits, drawbacks, and potential impact on depth perception. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how these lenses work, the necessity of UV protection during the adjustment period, and the need for blue light protection to prevent potential eye issues. Dr. Berne also shares his personal recommendations regarding vision correction options. See his BONUS podcast on his membership site: https://drsambernesmembership.com Takeaways Light adjustable lenses (LAL) are a new option for cataract surgery. LAL allows for customization of vision correction post-surgery. Patients must wear UV protective glasses during the adjustment period. Depth perception can be affected by blended vision from LAL. Monovision and blended vision can create confusion for some patients. Surgeons can adjust the non-dominant eye after surgery for better results. Blue light protection is important to prevent eye damage. Not all interocular lenses have blue light blocking capabilities. It’s advisable to try monovision contacts before surgery. LAL may be worth considering if blended vision is acceptable. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Light Adjustable Lenses 02:20 Benefits and Drawbacks of Light Adjustable Lenses 05:42 Depth Perception and Vision Challenges 07:36 Blue Light Protection and Final Thoughts “Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast today. So I’m to take a question that I’ve been getting a lot of something called light adjustable lenses. These are new lenses that cataract surgeons are putting in your eyes. And so what are the pros and cons? Do I recommend it? What do you have to watch out for? That’s what we’re going to talk about today. So light adjustable lenses are new intraocular lens that cataract surgeons are putting in your eyes. So just like regular cataract surgery, they take out the clouded lens and they’re putting in this new interocular lens. I call it the LAL light adjustable lens. So after the surgery, there’s a two to three week healing period and once your eyes have healed, then the adjustable process can occur with this new interocular lens. So during this time you get a pair of ultraviolet glasses that protect you from UV light. because it’s the UV light that actually creates the changes in the light adjustable lenses. So after the eye heals, you’ll go back to the doctor and he will start making some adjustments in the lens using a special UV laser and this UV light causes a retargeting of the shape of the lens. So the refractive errors myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism can be fine-tuned by reshaping the lens in the eye. Typically, you’ll need two to three light treatments to complete the reshaping and come up with a prescription that you can see clearly out of. So once you get to the end result of having clear eyesight, then there’s a final lock in where the lens will be permanent. in terms of the prescription that you’re getting. In some of the studies I’ve seen, there’s been a 92 % success rate in having clear eyesight from the light adjustable lens. So you get this great customization of your prescription and it works really well. If you’ve had things like PRK or Lasik surgery because it can really find to the final result of having clear eyesight. Sam Berne (02:20.652) So three initial drawbacks. I see is number one. You have to use UV protecting glasses during the period of measuring. What is the final LAL prescription number two? You have to do somewhere between two and four extra office visits to fine-tune the reshaping and get the prescription that you want and number three is the cost. So usually these lenses are not covered by insurance. So you’re going to have to pay out of pocket. If you want these, okay, so now my personal opinion when you look at the light adjustable lenses as it relates to depth perception, I see some potential problems. So like the mono vision correction where one eye is corrected for distance usually the dominant eye and the non-dominant eye is corrected for near the light adjustable lens has a similar concept. But instead of calling it mono vision, they call it blended vision. But still you’re dealing with one eye is corrected for distance and the other eye is corrected for intermediate and near. Well, this sets up a problem with the brain being able to decipher and process vision is when you are in this blended vision very similar to mono vision. It can either create double vision. other kinds of blur or the brain just suppresses or shuts off the eye that’s not using so like for example, if you’re driving the right eye is really the only eye that’s your dominant eye. That’s the eye that’s only go
Dr. Berne’s Physical Eye Therapy For Releasing Eye-Body Tension
Ann Louise sits down with Dr. Sam Berne–his first interview in many months
Internationally known celebrity nutritionist, and New York Times bestselling author of more than 35 books, Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is known as the “First Lady of Nutrition”. She is a leading innovator in the field of integrative medicine, dietary, environmental, and women’s health issues and a trailblazer whose impeccable, groundbreaking research and knowledge paved the path for nutritionists today. Visit her website: www.annlouise.com Dr. Berne discusses his relationship with his mentor Dr. Hazel Parcells, who lived to 106. He describes what behavioral optometry is. He talks about how his prism therapy can improve the brain, the vestibular system, and the visual system. He discusses the relationship between trauma and vision. For more, join his membership: https://drsambernesmembership.com/join_us/
9 Minutes On How To Navigate The Eye Care System
Join me for an illuminating episode of the EyeClarity podcast, where we unravel the secrets of holistic eye care. From finding the right eye doctor to making informed choices about surgery, this episode is a comprehensive guide to maintaining and enhancing your eye health. Let’s journey through the realm of eye care together and empower ourselves with knowledge and insights that pave the way to better vision. Enjoy the show! If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected]. For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: drsambernesmembership.com Hey, everybody, it’s Dr. Sam. I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. If you want to get in touch with me, you can send me your questions at [email protected]. Before we start the show, I’d like to talk to you about my new membership platform. When you join, you get access to exclusive content that you won’t see on social media. You’ll be able to attend my live Q and A and ask me questions, and you’ll have the opportunity to join my advanced workshops. To sign up, go to drsamburnmembership.com now to today’s show. Hey, everybody, it’s Dr. Sam, and I want to welcome you to another EyeClarity podcast. So today, I want to help you navigate the eye care system. So I’m going to take a few minutes. I’m going to talk about ways that, first of all, you can find an eye doctor that you can maybe be compatible with. Number two, how you can help your eye doctor, help you in the best possible way. And number three, if in fact, you do need surgery, what’s the best way to navigate? All right, so let’s go to number one, how to find an eye doctor. Well, you know, the best way to do that, I think, is first of all, go on Google and type in holistic eye doctor. Now, you may or may not get somebody in your area. You may not even get a holistic eye doctor. You may get a holistic naturopath or functional medicine doctor or a biological dentist. And so at this point, I would contact whatever comes up on the Google, and I would contact that office and ask them for a referral. Is there anybody they know? And maybe it isn’t quite a holistic eye doctor, but somebody maybe who’s a little older, maybe who’s a little more gentle, a little more middle of the road. It’s kind of hard to find holistic eye doctors because in school, we’re not really trained to look at vision holistically only allopathically but many times there are doctors that at least they’re more reasonable in their attitude. And if you can find somebody like that, another way to do it is through your friends, through your community, to ask around who’s somebody that I have a holistic philosophy in my health. Is there somebody that at least isn’t totally extreme? Name that’s going to really just recommend surgery as soon as I walk in the door. And there are doctors, eye doctors out there like that, and that may be the best you can do in your area. So that would be number one. The number two. When you go for your eye exam, I recommend taking a friend, a family member, and have a certain intention or focus on what you want to achieve. It could be, I want you to check my eye health. I want you to give me a prescription for my glasses, if that’s what you need. But I don’t want you to overcorrect me. And the way you do that is when he starts flipping the lenses. Feel it in your body, feel it in your eyes, and you’re wanting to stay as close to the current prescription as you can. And you need to stand up for yourself here and you need to say, I don’t want a super strong prescription. And most of the time, even if they don’t believe in you or believe what you’re saying, if you’re committed, because the stronger the prescription you get, the faster it is going to weaken your eyes. So you want to stay in the area of something that’s more in the middle, so you don’t have something that’s so strong that it’s going to make you dizzy, nauseous, or give you headaches. All right, now, in addition to that, I would be very careful about going into things like progressive lenses or bifocals, especially if you haven’t done it before, you’re much better off getting two pairs of glasses. Something for distance, something for near. You want to stay away from things like monovision where they’re correcting one eye for distance, one eye for near. And you want to be conservative in what you’re wearing. These newfangled things that these guys and gals want to prescribe, they end up in disaster. I mean, people come to me and they go, I should have never gone down this road. I just had a guy yesterday and he said, you know, this is th
Aromatherapy 101 How To Use Lemon Essential Oil
I invite you to join me on a captivating journey through the realm of aromatherapy in this podcast episode. Together, we’ll delve into the multi-faceted world of lemon essential oil, explore the art of intuitive aromatherapy, and uncover the remarkable benefits of harnessing the power of natural plant remedies. From sensory experiences to practical tips, I’m thrilled to share my insights and knowledge to help you navigate the intricacies of this enchanting practice. Tune in and let’s discover the transformative magic of aromatherapy! Enjoy the show! If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected]. For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: drsambernesmembership.com. Hello, everyone. This is Dr. Sam. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to my EyeClarity podcast. If you wish to connect with me, feel free to send your questions to [email protected]. Prior to delving into the show, I’d like to discuss my fresh membership platform. By becoming a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive content that remains unseen on social media. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in my live Q&A sessions, where you can ask me questions directly, and you’ll be eligible to join my advanced workshops. To enroll, please visit drsamburnmembership.com. Now, on to today’s episode. Hello, everyone, it’s Dr. Sam. I’m pleased to welcome you to today’s EyeClarity podcast. Today, I’ll be addressing a single question, and I’m thrilled to delve into the topic of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a profound interest of mine, one that I’ve been deeply immersed in for numerous years. In particular, I’d like to spotlight lemon essential oil. Lemon is an incredibly versatile essential oil, but cautious application is necessary. When using any essential oil for the first time, it’s crucial to introduce it to your system gently and with care. This is a practice I emphasize in my classes. Begin by experiencing the aroma of the oil, allowing it to engage with your olfactory and limbic systems. This will provide an immediate inclination towards acceptance or rejection. For example, if I were to present rose oil, its scent is often associated with the rose flower and evokes a sense of heart-opening. On the other hand, an essential oil like spikenard, with its shamanic essence, might carry a scent reminiscent of dirty socks. Despite this, it holds value in the dream world, inducing relaxation. The key is to discern whether the initial response is positive or negative. Turning to lemon, a citrus aroma that’s generally favored, you’d similarly smell it initially and evaluate your reaction. Next, I recommend conducting a patch test on a less sensitive area of the skin, such as the inner part of the wrist. This minimizes any discomfort that might arise, as opposed to applying it directly to more sensitive regions like the face or private areas, which can lead to temporary discomfort. If you ever experience a burning sensation from an essential oil on your skin, applying coconut oil can promptly alleviate it. So, having completed test number one for lemon—smelling and patch testing—the next step is determining suitable areas of application. Almost any essential oil can be applied to the soles of the feet. For adults, two to three drops of oil on each sole, twice daily, is advisable. With children, the dose varies. For instance, one drop for younger kids and up to four drops for older ones. Lemon essential oil boasts several benefits. It possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties while supporting the liver, spleen, and kidneys, functioning as a detoxifying agent. Thus, it’s a valuable addition to any gentle detox regimen, consistently applied to the soles of the feet. Moreover, lemon oil has a positive impact on mood, elevating emotions and combating feelings of negativity. When facing a challenging day, a little lemon can go a long way in boosting your spirits. Lastly, there’s a common query about carrier oils. Initially, my aromatherapy training advocated for direct application of essential oils on the skin. However, as I began practicing, I observed varying skin sensitivities. Consequently, I’ve adopted a more flexible stance. Organic carrier oils, such as jojoba, aloe vera, or sunflower, can be blended with essential oils. They serve as compatible carriers, diluting the essential oil’s potency. While this might necessitate a slightly higher quantity of drops, experimentation is key. Intuition also plays a vital role in aromatherapy. A strong intuitive sense guides dosages—whether it’s one or two drops, once or twice daily. Typically, twice daily is a solid guideline for adults, with dosages ranging
Negotiate Digital Device Boundaries with Kids
Today I want to address the pressing issue of managing children’s digital device use and offer valuable advice to parents seeking to establish effective boundaries. We’ll shed light on the potential pitfalls of excessive screen time – from eye strain to fatigue – and underscore the heightened vulnerability of children due to their less-developed protective eye pigments against blue light. I advocate for a thoughtful approach rooted in negotiation when discussing digital device limits with kids. Enjoy the show! If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected]. For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: drsambernesmembership.com Hello, everyone. It’s Dr. Sam. I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. This is a show that offers cutting-edge information on how to improve your vision and overall wellness through holistic methods. I so appreciate you spending part of your day with me. If you have questions, you can send them to [email protected]. Now to the latest EyeClarity episode. Hey, everyone. Welcome to the episode today. So I want to target parents. I also want to target children, and this has to do with digital devices. And the topic of the podcast is how to set boundaries, digital device boundaries for kids. This is a constant fight that goes on in probably every household. Kids just want to use their screens all day, and parents are really upset that kids are spending so much time staring at their screens, either playing video games or even just schoolwork. Recently, I was visiting a school and I was doing some consulting, and every classroom I went in, the kids were on their iPad, learning through their digital devices. So we can’t fight it. They’re definitely here. But what’s the research? What’s my clinical experience and how to navigate this conversation? And what is it that we can do to negotiate with our kids? How to set boundaries with digital devices. So a conservative, mainstream publication this was put out by the American Optometric Association came out and said that, yes, children are at a higher risk of eye strain, eye fatigue, maybe even retinal damage from looking at their digital devices. There was an article that was published a long time ago, 1962, in the Investigative Ophthalmology Journal, and they were studying the difference between children’s lenses in the eye versus adults. And what the researchers found is that children do not have the pigment developed that deflects the damaging blue light. So this means that. Adults do have this pigment inherently in the lens, but it doesn’t develop till later on in a child’s life. And so young children, school age children, they don’t have this pigment. This means that the blue light can absorb more deeply through the lens to the retina, therefore creating the potential of more retinal damage. So the American optometric association also wrote in this publication that kids have a higher risk of developing headaches, blurred vision, and eye strain from staring at digital devices. The AOA also said that children may have a disruption in their circadian rhythms which affects their sleep cycle. Now, my clinical practice, what I have seen is kids love the digital devices. They can’t get enough of it. It creates kind of an addictive focus for them. But at the same time, I’m seeing more kids with blurred vision at distance, red eyes, headaches, eye strain, avoidance of reading. And I think it is related to all the screen time that kids are doing so in being able to negotiate. This is setting boundaries, digital device boundaries. With kids, I think it comes down to a couple of things. Number one, when you’re communicating or negotiating with your child, it’s better if you don’t take an authoritative approach like the parent says, it’s my way or the highway. I like to find the hot button with kids. What are their goals and objectives? What do they like to do besides digital devices? Or maybe it’s some goal that they’re going for. They want to buy something or they want to go somewhere. So I like to ask them what are some of their goals and objectives in the bigger picture? And then once I have that information, I know what their hot button is. I can then begin to discuss this digital device conversation as it relates to their lifestyle homework, sports, travel, seeing friends. And what I like to do with a digital device conversation is say, look, I can give you an hour a day of your screen time, especially if it’s video games or watching a TV show or a movie, but an hour is about the limit. And then on the weekends, maybe what we could do is if you get your homework done, if you’re cleaning up your room, if you
Dissolving Barriers In Your Eye Health A Proven Strategy That Works even For 70 Year-Olds
In this episode I recount my personal struggle with vision issues and how I found solace in the holistic method. Vision encompasses more than just the eyes; it encompasses the brain, emotions, posture, and balance. I lay out crucial strategies for bolstering vision, especially for those aged 70 and above grappling with conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration. Enjoy the show! If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected]. For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: drsambernesmembership.com Hello, everyone. It’s Dr. Sam. I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. This is a show that offers cutting edge information on how to improve your vision and overall wellness through holistic methods. I so appreciate you spending part of your day with me. If you have questions, you can send them to [email protected]. Now to the latest EyeClarity episode. Hey, everybody. Welcome to my podcast. So today I’m going to take on a subject about your eye health, eye disease. And this is targeted for 70 years old and up. We’ve been diagnosed with a certain condition like cataracts or macular degeneration. So how do we dissolve the barriers to follow my protocols and program? Well, I’ll start off with a personal story many years ago. In fact, if I think about it, it was over 40 years ago. I was very, very near sighted, and I also had a struggle with reading. I was in my late twenties. I had graduated optometry school. I was involved in a postdoctoral fellowship at the Gazelle Institute. And I was just starting my first private practice in Philadelphia. And I met a developmental optometrist who practiced in Connecticut. His name was Dr. Al Shankman, and he wrote a book that you could look up called Vision Enhancement Therapy or Vision Enhancement Training. And he invited me to a year-long seminar that he was putting on for a group of young optometrists who were interested in his philosophy. So he was holistic. He was mind, body. He was a yoga teacher. He also taught meditation. And he was in his mid-70s, so he’d given up his regular private practice, and he was doing this out of his home. So when I met him, I drove up from Philadelphia. I was really taken to him immediately. And we had a very strong connection, developed a deep bond over many years of my working with him and being a mentor, mentoring. So he was mentoring me. And then we became friends, and he watched my career take off. But the very early part of it, I signed up to be a patient of his and I began doing his vision therapy. Now, it was a form of physical therapy that was very different than what I had learned both in school and in some of my externships. Because he was of the perspective that vision was not just in the eyeball, but it was a whole body pattern that influenced our posture, our movement, our emotions, our balance and many other things. And so I started in on his program, but this is where it comes in about dissolving the barriers, because what I ended up doing was spending anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes a day, seven days a week, doing his physical therapy practices and having that level of commitment. I began to see some changes that went on that eventually allowed me to completely let go of my strong near sighted prescription. And it also healed my learning and reading problem that I had had since I was eight years old. So it was a 20-year odyssey. And when those two things happen, I recognized that one of my own blocks was my inability to commit and be consistent in a daily practice. Now, the other point of it that he emphasized was whatever activities he gave me. And he didn’t like to use the word exercise because when we think of exercise, we think of I’m strengthening muscles, I’m stretching it’s more on a physical level. But vision is very much an internal process in the sense that when I would do the practice, I used the practice that he gave me as a mirror, be like looking into a mirror and seeing and watching and observing my patterns of awareness. It could be things like my right eye was more emotional than my left eye, my left eye had a better balance than my right eye, meaning body balance. And my posture was different when I used each eye separately, stuff like that. So the activity allowed me to understand my awareness. And this led to my insight into habits and conditioning that caused the vision problem to begin with. Because again. In the space, it’s all genetics or because my parents had a certain condition that I’m going to get it. And in the epigenetic research, there’s more to it than just your genes. But it’s really how the environment, how you interact with yourself and the world that turns the genes on and off. And this epi
How to Take Care of Your Parents, Children and Friends’ Vision
Let’s talk about how to approach the conversation around eye care with someone you’re close to, whether it’s a family member, friend, or your child. This can be a very delicate conversation. When someone you know is diagnosed with a problem like glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration, I suggest taking a holistic and integrative approach, but it’s important to respect their choices and ask permission before offering advice. So let’s jump into today’s episode. Enjoy the show. If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected] or you can now text me! Text ‘Join’ to 1-844-932-1291 to sign-up and ask your questions! For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars: drsambernesmembership.com SUMMARY KEYWORDS eye, vision, health, cataracts, conditions, macula, inflammation, myopia, retina, reduced, floaters, red light, talk, body, ai, open, treating, child, diagnosed, podcast Hey everybody, it’s Dr. Sam, I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. If you want to get in touch with me with questions, you can email me at [email protected]. And you can always text me your questions at 1-844-932-1291. I would like to let you know about my new membership program. This is going to offer members new information on how to improve their vision and wellness. So you will get access to articles, video, blogs, podcasts, and webinars. Also a live q&a with me. And all of this information will empower you to make informed decisions about your vision, and your health. So to sign up to go to my website, drsambernesmembership.com. And you can see the details there. All right now on to the show. 1:37 Everybody, welcome to the program today. So I want to talk about what happens when either your family member or friend gets the eye diagnosis. So let’s say you have a parent, and he or she has been diagnosed with glaucoma, or cataracts or macular degeneration. And the doctor will say something like, well, let’s just watch it. Or let’s schedule you for a procedure. And you being a holistically minded person says maybe there’s something else. So how can you help. Or let’s say you have a child who’s maybe struggling a little bit in school, or you notice that there’s an eye turn, or he or she covers one of her eyes, and you go to the doctor and he says, Well, you’ve got esotropia or amblyopia. And we need to either patch full time, or you need to do i muscle surgery right away, let’s get this scheduled. Or even if it’s just a friend, a friend who maybe has had a botched cataract surgery, or is facing glaucoma surgery, and you know that there might be a better way, how do you navigate the waters, the day doesn’t go by when somebody will write me and say, you know, I have a family member or a friend who’s got this eye condition. I know there’s a better way. And so you know, I offer certain suggestions and so on. But this is educational only. So I’m not diagnosing or treating. But how do you handle the dynamics of this? So first of all, I think it’s important to note that everybody is on their own path. And as much as we want to help others, I think it’s important that if you’re going to offer advice that you want to ask permission, you want to make sure that it’s okay. Because some people just aren’t open to a more holistic integrative approach, especially with the eyes. For some reason, we don’t think we can improve our vision. It’s the one part of our body that isn’t going to heal at least that’s what maybe your eye doctor has said, even though people have had healings in so many other areas of their body, why not the eyes? So if you have that conversation, and the person says, Yeah, I’m open to it, what do you have? I think the first thing to do is maybe show some research based on the condition if that’s possible. I’ve got a good resource list that you can use to show them that, you know, if you do x, it might change Why, certainly with conditions like macular degeneration, the research is pretty rock solid. That says that you know, if you add things like lutein, zeaxanthin, acid Xanthine, Omega three vitamin A zinc, that you have a chance of maybe improving your vision, if you start feeding your eyes with those nutrients. Of course you can get a little more edgy, and you can show them the red light therapy, which the studies have been done by the Jeffrey’s lab I’m in UCL University College London, which said that red light actually might be able to regenerate your eyes, especially the macula. And also there might be a reduction in drusen. You know, some people with red light if they’ve never been exposed to it befo
Don’t Live To Reduce Your Prescription
Today’s episode is all about the misconception of solely focusing on reducing prescriptions to improve vision. I share a powerful story of a nearsighted patient who demanded a reduced prescription without doing the necessary reprogramming work. It resulted in frustration and discomfort. I emphasize the importance of vision therapy to reprogram habits and beliefs before pursuing reduced prescriptions. Whether dealing with myopia, astigmatism, or farsightedness, the key is self-awareness, discipline, and adaptability. Vision is a flexible process, and with proper physical therapy, reduced prescriptions can be more effective. Don’t rush the process. Do the work first for lasting results. Enjoy the show. If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected] or you can now text me! Text ‘Join’ to 1-844-932-1291 to sign-up and ask your questions! For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars, https://drsambernesmembership.com/pages/drsamberne SUMMARY KEYWORDS prescription, nearsighted, reduced, nearsightedness, vision, reduce, shankman, people, work, therapy, program, habits, podcast, fixated, astigmatism, self awareness, eyes, plasticity, private facebook community, goal   00:05 Hey everybody, its Dr. Sam and I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. So if you want to get in touch with me, you can send me an email at [email protected]. Or you can text me now 1-844-932-1291 Send me your questions. Before we get to today’s show, I want to announce my membership program. This is an opportunity for you to get exposed to my exclusive content and resources, things you won’t see on my social media or website. The reason why I’m offering this membership program is to give you valuable information to empower you to make informed decisions about your vision and your wellness. You’ll receive personalized support and coaching, goal setting, and I’m going to make you accountable so that you achieve your goals. Also, with the membership, you’ll have the convenience of 24/7 access without having to pay for weekly appointments. We’ll be offering a private Facebook community so we’ll be able to share with each other. And you’ll be able to come to my live q&a and ask me questions. So if you’re interested, you can go to my website, drsamberne.com and sign up now. Okay, now to the show.   02:10 Hey, everyone, welcome to the program. So the title of today’s podcast is don’t just live to reduce your prescription. So many people that I’ve worked with over the years, who wants to reduce their prescription who want to improve their vision gets so fixated on the prescription, that they’re missing out on what is really needed to make the deep level changes. I’ll tell you a story. One time that happened when somebody came to see me she was very nearsighted. And she asked me to reduce her prescription. And I said, you know, without doing the physical therapy to reprogram your eyes and brain, it’s not going to work. And she said, Oh, no, I can handle it. Give me a reduced prescription. So I’ll give you the numbers. Not that it means anything, but she was a minus 3.25 in each eye. So she had a moderate amount of nearsightedness. So I reduced her prescription to a minus three. So I reduced it by a quarter of a diopter. So she got the prescription. And she called our office. And she was irate. She was so angry. She said, Dr. Byrne has blinded me, I can’t see anything. Wow. Okay, so my secretary, and I talked about this. And we made an appointment she came in. And I had her put on the glasses, and she was going off how things were so blurry, and how I really how could I do this to her and, you know, stuff like that. So I put her into the exam lane with the minus threes. And I said, I read the chart, and she was able to read the 2020 eye chart, except she missed one letter. So I paused and I said, Well, you’re still seeing close to 2020. And she’s like, Well, I’m not really seeing the same way as I saw out of my three and a quarters. So it was a great learning lesson for her because it triggered some very deep fear issues and insecurity issues that just by reducing the prescription a little bit. She went into blame mode. She went into fear mode, and she went into survival mode. And so we talked it through and she recognized how much hyper vigilance she was carrying into her eyes that went way back to when she was in school. And she was learning to read and she wasn’t a great student, and on and on and on. But Case in point, here it was I reduced her prescription the minimal, the most minimal amount. And it triggered such a deep reaction that, wow, this is what people go through, when th
Advice That Goes Beyond the Eye Exam
Welcome to the EyeClarity podcast! In today’s episode, I share a powerful story about a patient diagnosed with glaucoma and the shocking way the news was delivered. This incident highlighted the importance of going beyond the routine eye exam and considering the patient’s unique needs. Glaucoma diagnosis can be challenging, but incorporating functional vision tests can lead to major breakthroughs. Don’t miss these valuable insights into comprehensive eye care. Enjoy the show! If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected] or you can now text me! Text ‘Join’ to 1-844-932-1291 to sign-up and ask your questions! For even more from Dr. Sam, check out his new exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars, https://drsambernesmembership.com/pages/drsamberne SUMMARY KEYWORDS glaucoma, eye, eye exam, vision, optic nerve, open angle glaucoma, doctor, diagnose, prescription, visual, test, major breakthrough, important, health, give, access, pressure, prescribed, missed, delivered   00:05 Hey everybody, its Dr. Sam and I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. So before we get to today’s show, I’m going to give you some ways to contact me, you can send me your questions at [email protected]. Or you can text them to me at 1-844-932-1291. I want to let you know about my new membership program. This is an exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars, even a live q&a, where I will answer your questions. So you’ll be able to access valuable information to empower you to make informed decisions about your vision and your health. I’ll be offering personalized support and coaching, giving you recommendations, helping you with goal setting accountability, so you can achieve your goals. This is a convenient way for you to access me 24/7 Without paying for appointments, or going to your doctor every week. So I’m so excited about this, I hope you can join me. And by the way, if you do join, you’ll get access to my advanced workshops in aromatherapy, color and light therapy, nutrition and physical vision therapy. So the sign up go to my website www.drsamberne.com. Now to today’s show.   02:09 Everyone, welcome to the program. So today’s episode is titled, The advice that goes beyond the eye exam. Recently, I saw a patient who was diagnosed with glaucoma. And that’s serious enough, but the way the doctor delivered, the message was even more mind blowing to me. So the story goes like this. Somebody called us and said, You know, I want a second opinion. And we had some space. So she came into the office here. And I asked her, you know why she came and she said that she had had a conversation at the end of her last eye exam where the doctor said, and oh, by the way, you’re diagnosed with glaucoma. And it’s early stages, but you know, you’re probably going to go blind. And I’m gonna go on to my next patient. So she sat there, she was very upset, she was devastated. And there was absolutely no emotional support, or anything beyond here’s the diagnosis and goodbye. And this happens more frequently than not and you know, speaking from somebody who used to be in a busy private practice, and you start seeing lots of people, you get kind of dumbed down, you know, where everybody looks like they’re the same and that, you know, you’ve delivered the message 1000s of times in, you’ve got this diagnosis, and you’re gonna go blind. So, we sat there for a few minutes, and she processed a little bit. Definitely she was traumatized. And as we went through the records, it became clear to me that she was more of a glaucoma suspect, than she had full blown glaucoma. And there are three main ways that you diagnose glaucoma. The first is obviously the eye pressure, and that’s an important test. The second is the health of the optic nerve. And the third is the visual fields testing. And I had the good fortune when I was in my training that I studied with some ophthalmologists who were specialists in the area of glaucoma, and I would shatter them and it was very interesting for me at that time, because they weren’t sure when they saw certain patients whether they had glaucoma or not. And it became kind of a detective story where they had to do a number of tests multiple times before they could make a definitive diagnosis. Now not to minimize glaucoma because it is a very serious disease. And it’s also a silent disease, we don’t really know that we have it until we start losing our peripheral vision. Now in most types of glaucoma, especially open angle glaucoma, there’s no eye sensation, like we have eye pain or I, you know, eye inflammation or things like
The Latest Eye Research on Regenerating Your Eyes
Hey everyone, welcome to today’s show. I want to talk about some exciting research in regenerative eye care. First, there’s stem cell therapy, both using embryonic and adult stem cells, which are introduced into the retina to treat conditions like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Early studies show promising results. Gene therapy is also being explored, particularly for inherited retinal disorders. A recent study demonstrated positive outcomes. Enjoy the show! If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected] or you can now text me! Text ‘Join’ to 1-844-932-1291 to join the community and ask your questions! SUMMARY KEYWORDS retina, podcast, diseases, eye, research, embryonic stem cells, retinal, stimulate, scaffold, sam, promising, live q&a, retinal disease, showing, gene therapy, areas, degenerative conditions, signaling pathways, improve, regenerative therapies 00:06 Hey everybody, its Dr. Sam, I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. If you want to get in touch with me with questions, you can email me at [email protected]. And you can always text me your questions at 1-844-932-1291. I would like to let you know about my new membership program. This is going to offer members new information on how to improve their vision and wellness. So you will get access to articles, video, blogs, podcasts, and webinars. Also a live q&a with me. And all of this information will empower you to make informed decisions about your vision and your health. So to sign up to go to my website, drsamberne.com. And you can see the details there. All right now on to the show.   01:34 Everybody, welcome to the show today. So I’m gonna do a little different spin, I’m going to talk about some of the latest research on regenerative eye care. So this is a little different than some of the clinical things they talk about. So here we go. So the first form of therapy that’s getting a lot of press today is called stem cell research. You’ve probably heard of it. It’s pretty popular in mainstream culture, especially if you have diseases like macular degeneration. Retina is picking pigmentosa or other eye degenerative conditions, that the regular medical care is not really helping you. So there’s embryonic stem cells, there’s also adult stem cells and these are introduced into areas of the retina where there’s a disease process going on, and there’s a degeneration. There was an article published this year in PubMed on ocular regenerative therapies. four main areas in the eye were studied optic nerve damage, cornea damage, retinitis pigmentosa and age related macular degeneration, embryonic stem cells were introduced into these areas of the eye. early phase clinical studies show promising results with this stem cell therapy. The second form of research that’s going on is looking at gene therapy, especially for inherited retinal disorders, better known as IRDs for the years in the pediatrics world, I’ve seen a number of IR DS and this gene therapy is also showing promising possibility possibilities. There was a study that was published recently through PubMed, again, showing promising results. Okay, this third type of research may not be on your radar. I’ve been looking at it and it’s called nanofiber scaffold, tissue engineered retinal pigment epithelium, so better known as RPE. In this layer of the retina, no fiber scaffolding is used to help regenerate certain retina deterioration diseases, and the results are early, but they’re showing some possibilities of tissue regrowth in the retina. And the last form of research that I’m going to talk about today is something called optogenetics. This is a field that combines genetics, with optics, stimulating neuron growth through light sensitivity, right? Researchers are using light to stimulate proteins in the retina, which improve the visual signaling pathways in the retina, thus reversing retinal disease, retinal degeneration, and the results are very promising. Now one of my other podcast I talked about the artificial intelligence use of enhanced learning, and you might want to check out that podcast but basically, AI is looking at a very large database of what retinal diseases look like and can make early diagnoses and early treatments that could be really powerful, especially if you have a genetic predisposition. or you’re just suffering one of these eye diseases. Even an ophthalmologist or an optometrist can’t pick up the subtleties that artificial intelligence could pick up. So check out my other podcast on enhanced learning. It’s very interesting. So that’s my show for today. I want to thank you so much for tuning in. Until next time, take good care.   05:30 Thank you for listening. I hope you learned something from the EyeClarity podcast
My Daily Wellness Practice
Hey everyone, it’s Dr. Sam, and I want to talk about my daily wellness practices. First and foremost, I prioritize getting into nature every day, whether it’s a park, hiking trail, or my own yard. I emphasize mindful eating, stress reduction through activities like walking in nature and spending time with friends, and the importance of quality sleep for recharging and deep rest. These are just a few of my wellness practices that I dig into in today’s episode. Enjoy the show! If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected] or you can now text me! Text ‘Join’ to 1-844-932-1291 to join the community and ask your questions! SUMMARY KEYWORDS wellness, explore, practice, health, meditation, creative outlet, day, light, sleep, access, earthing, barefoot, podcast, relate, accountability, hiking, technology, today, sam, set 00:05 Hey everybody, its Dr. Sam and I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. So before we get to today’s show, I’m going to give you some ways to contact me, you can send me your questions at [email protected]. Or you can text them to me at 1-844-932-1291.   00:32 I want to let you know about my new membership program. This is an exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars, even a live q&a, where I will answer your questions. So you’ll be able to access valuable information to empower you to make informed decisions about your vision and your health. I’ll be offering personalized support and coaching, giving you recommendations, helping you with goal setting accountability, so you can achieve your goals.   01:18 This is a convenient way for you to access me 24/7 Without paying for appointments, or going to your doctor every week. So I’m so excited about this, I hope you can join me. And by the way, if you do join, you’ll get access to my advanced workshops in aromatherapy, color and light therapy, nutrition and physical vision therapy. So the sign up, go to my website www.drsamberne.com. Now to today’s show.   02:08 Hey, everybody, its Dr. Sam, and I’m going to welcome you to my podcast today. So I’m going to take a question. That’s kind of personal. But people ask this a lot. What are my wellness practices that I do every day? Well, let’s start with nature.   02:27 And I know a lot of people that follow me live in the city I used to live in the city. And so I’m an urban person, even though now my life is more geared towards hiking and whitewater rafting and nature skiing, biking. But even so, I feel that number one on my list is getting into nature every day. You know, there’s studies out there that show that forest bathing is so good for our energy, it’s so good for our mood, it actually affects things like our our neuro chemicals in the brain like serotonin and dopamine. So forest bathing, whether you do it in a park, in your yard, or you can get out to a hiking trail somewhere. This would be number one, what I do every day. Second thing that I find to be very valuable in my own wellness practice is going barefoot outside. You know there’s nothing like what we call earthing. earthing means that we are connecting to the earth through the bottom of our feet. And our shoes are all rubber. We’re around all kinds of wireless and technology all day. Even me because I’m doing a lot of content and meetings and going from one place to another. But I spend at least 15 minutes every day outside barefoot. Because with earthing, what that does is that discharges all that energy, that electrical energy that we’re absorbing from the satellites from the EMFs from the wireless routers. And by the way, if you can do it, shut your wireless off at night. That’s another thing that’s very important. But earthing is a second wellness practice I like to do and it’s a daily practice where I’m really connecting back in to the earth. My third wellness practice is meditation. Now there are many different forms of meditation out there. I’ve explored a lot of them. And what I like to do is in the morning, I’ll get some tea. I have a ritual and a hat, get some tea, and I my sometimes I sit with my wife and my dog, sometimes I’m sitting alone. And I’ll either just focus on a mantra or breathing or some beautiful music and just to kind of have some space to be able to know what what’s my day going to be what’s my attitude, what am I looking to do, what are my intentions? And you know that   05:00 There’s always things that we can get into with our mind. That’s kind of what meditation is about to watch the mind. And there are many different kinds. I’ve also explored things like Chi Gong, and Tai Chi and yoga. Continual movement i
Dr. Berne’s Comments For Entrepreneurs Presentation from SCORE
Today’s podcast is a bit different as I recently gave a presentation to entrepreneurs through an organization called SCORE. I shared my experiences and expertise in marketing, especially in the holistic eyecare industry. I emphasized the importance of finding underpriced attention and getting the word out about your business. Building a brand and developing relationships with your community is crucial. I’m excited to launch a membership program where people can pay to join my community and receive value from my brand. Enjoy the show. If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected] or you can now text me! Text ‘Join’ to 1-844-932-1291 to join the community and ask your questions! SUMMARY KEYWORDS underpriced, business, access, sam, posts, membership, develop, vision, entrepreneurs, talk, involved, exclusive membership, paying, farmers, create, brand, words, giving, wellness   00:05 Hey everybody, its Dr. Sam and I’d like to welcome you to my I clarity podcast. So before we get to today’s show, I want to give you some ways to contact me, you can send me your questions at [email protected]. Or you can text them to me at 1-844-932-1291. I want to let you know about my new membership program. This is an exclusive membership where you get access to my content and resources, new information, articles, videos, webinars, even a live q&a, where I will answer your questions. So you’ll be able to access valuable information to empower you to make informed decisions about your vision and your health. I’ll be offering personalized support and coaching, giving you recommendations, helping you with goal setting accountability, so you can achieve your goals. This is a convenient way for you to access me 24/7 Without paying for appointments, or going to your doctor every week. So I’m so excited about this, I hope you can join me. And by the way, if you do join, you’ll get access to my advanced workshops in aromatherapy, color and light therapy, nutrition and physical vision therapy. So to sign up, go to my website www.drsamberne.com. Now to today’s show.   02:09 Hey, everybody, welcome to the program. This is a little different podcast today, I gave a short presentation to a group of entrepreneurs recently, the organization I’m involved with is called score and they help entrepreneurs figure out how to develop a business plan. And I come in and I help them with their marketing. So I say a few words, share my own experience with what I’m doing right now those of you that are following me in a really into the holistic eyecare movement. We’re having a great time. Anyways, I talk a little bit about the new membership launch, how to work with young people, I’m seeing more and more young entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians and people who want to realize their dream. And I talk about how you may not be able to find this method of marketing in college that you have to go outside of your schooling to figure it out. And so I hope you enjoy the show. It’s a little different. But anyways, thanks for tuning in. Well, I’m Sam Berne. And I have a health and wellness brand that I started in 2016 doing really well. And I would say my expertise is finding underpriced attention and getting the word out. Because you can have the best idea in the world. But if you don’t let anybody know about it, then you’re gonna fail. And so in my own business, I’ve been able to figure out how to tap into underpriced attention. And for me, I think the diversity of having a lot of different businesses in one space is actually really great. Because you can apply the same principles based on whatever your business is because the name of the game is, okay, what am I good at? And am I willing to commit in the long term to create a brand versus making it a sales or transactional situation? So the way I built my brand was developing my community relationship wise, and I never asked them for anything. In fact, I created more value for them than you know what, what I was trying to get back I wasn’t actually getting anything back. So I had patients in that and I’m getting ready to launch what we call membership program. Meaning now people are going to pay something to Enter my immunity. And I think doing it in reverse where develop a clientele and a customer base, and then release your product or service, that’s going to be a winner. And I, you know, I hate to see people go into debt, I hate to see people take out loans, and they have difficulty getting stressed out, paying it back. And what was really interesting for me at that presentation, was interacting with the young people like I would like to target the 18 to 22 year olds, I had an amazing conversation with a 22 year old who was starting a business, because I think that the things that I&
Intro to Aromatherapy
Hey everyone, welcome to the program. Today, I want to talk about essential oils and share my experiences with them. I first discovered essential oils when I had a digestive problem and tried cardamom essential oil, which provided great relief. Intrigued, I studied aromatherapy and became an aroma therapist. In fact, I may soon be releasing my own line of essential oils. Essential oils are derived from various plant parts, such as grasses, roots, tree bark, and flower petals. They can be steam distilled or cold pressed and are highly concentrated and aromatic. While some people use essential oils for their pleasant fragrance, they also have medicinal properties. The most common way to experience essential oils is through inhalation, either by smelling them directly or using a diffuser. Inhalation can be beneficial for relaxation, reducing anxiety, and promoting better sleep. Enjoy the show. If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected] or you can now text me! Text ‘Join’ to 1-844-932-1291 to join the community and ask your questions! SUMMARY KEYWORDS essential oils, vetiver, oil, great, aromatherapy, carrier oil, drops, number, skin, cooling, lavender, peppermint, farmers, plant, teach, hot, questions, couple, bottle, area   00:05 Hey everybody, its Dr. Sam and I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. So if you want to get in touch with me, you can send me an email at Hello at Dr. Sam berne.com. Or you can text me now 1-844-932-1291 Send me your questions. Before we get to today’s show, I want to announce my membership program. This is an opportunity for you to get exposed to my exclusive content and resources, things you won’t see on my social media or website. The reason why I’m offering this membership program is to give you valuable information to empower you to make informed decisions about your vision and your wellness. You’ll receive personalized support and coaching, goal setting, and I’m going to make you accountable so that you achieve your goals. Also, with the membership, you’ll have the convenience of 24/7 access without having to pay for weekly appointments. We’ll be offering a private Facebook community so we’ll be able to share with each other. And you’ll be able to come to my live q&a and ask me questions. So if you’re interested, you can go to my website, drsamberne.com. And sign up now. Okay, now to the show.   02:09 Hey, everybody, welcome to the program. Today, I want to talk about essential oils. So in this podcast, I want to give a little bit of advice on how to use essential oils where they come from. And so let’s just jump right in. I got exposed to essential oils many years ago actually had a digestive problem. And I was at a health fair. And there was an aroma therapist there and she said Why don’t you try this cardamom essential oil. And I said okay, so I put a couple of drops in some water. And I said, Wow, this feels great on my stomach. I love this. So I bought a bottle, and I was using it after my meals and within a few weeks, my acid reflux and all my digestive discomfort discomforts went away. So I started to dive a little more deeply into aromatherapy actually studied it, I became an aroma therapist. I’ve taught aromatherapy I’ve sold essential oils. By the way, there’s a little secret out there that I am now talking directly do some farmers. And I may be releasing a line of my own essential oils and the next few months. So just watch for that. And if I do that, I’m going to start teaching as well. So that’s kind of on the down low, but it’s probably going to happen fairly soon. So the essential oils can come from many different plant parts, grasses, roots, tree bark, flower petals, just to name a few of the plant parts. You can do steam distilled or cold pressed this is how you can access the essential oils, they’re highly aromatic, they’re very concentrated, they’re volatile, and they are very complicated in terms of their chemistry. Some people will use essential oils just to make their space smell better, you can use the essential oils to cook with to clean with. And I want to talk a little bit about the medicinal qualities of the essential oils. So there’s a lot of applications ways that you can expose yourself to the essential oils. So basically, what it is is that you want to introduce yourself to the essential oil and one of the best ways to do that is through your nose. So by smelling the essential oil, you are meeting the essential oil and the essential oils meeting you. So depending on how that goes. Then the other thing that you could consider is putting it in a diffuser and it will be diffused in In your personal space, that sometimes can work well. If you’re in a high anxiety environment, or you’re stresse
Alternative Approaches to Treating Lazy Eye and Strabismus
Today I want to address a parent’s concerns about their four-year-old daughter, Julie, who has been diagnosed with farsightedness and lazy eye. The parent has been advised by an eye doctor to have Julie wear glasses full time and consider eye muscle surgery. I want to offer an alternative perspective that emphasizes the malleability of a child’s visual system and the potential for improvement through non-invasive treatments. Enjoy the show. If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected] or you can now text me! Text ‘Join’ to 1-844-932-1291 to join the community and ask your questions! SUMMARY KEYWORDS eyes, lazy eye, glasses, visual, system, learning, exercises, vision, podcast, prescription, muscle, surgery, eyedrops, bilateral, brain, focusing, today, cranial vault, child, body   00:06 Hey everybody, it’s Dr. Sam, I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. If you want to get in touch with me with questions, you can email me at [email protected]. And you can always text me your questions at 1-844-932-1291. I would like to let you know about my new membership program. This is going to offer members new information on how to improve their vision and wellness. So you will get access to articles, video, blogs, podcasts, and webinars. Also a live q&a with me. And all of this information will empower you to make informed decisions about your vision, and your health. So to sign up to go to my website, drsamberne.com. And you can see the details there. All right now on to the show.   01:36 Hey, everybody, welcome to the program, doing a little urban broadcasting today. So I’m in downtown Santa Fe, actually, my old office is just over there. I closed that office in 2010. But this is a very sweet part of Santa Fe, it’s on the west side, pretty quiet and easy going. So I thought I would stop and take a question from a parent is very concerned about a four year old daughter Julie. So Julie has been diagnosed with farsightedness and lazy eye and she’s got an eye turning in. And her eye doctor said that she needs to wear these glasses full time, mom sent me the prescriptions about a plus six. And he also said that she only has about three more years to be able to improve the lazy eye. And he wants to schedule her for eye muscle surgery. Because the only way to fix this I turn is with eye muscle surgery. Well, of course, she is appalled by this. She wants other opinions. And so she’s known me a long time. And so I wanted to give my point of view. So first thing I want to say is that with kids, their visual system is very malleable, very plastic in the sense that it’s versatile, it’s changeable. And when you start putting glasses on children are doing things like surgery. There’s even a technique where you can use eyedrops that can actually reduce a lazy eye. When you do all these invasive treatments, what ends up happening is it basically reinforces the problem. You know, the eyes are the only part of the brain that are outside the cranial vault. And since the eyes are brain tissue, especially in children, it’s a great opportunity to improve one’s vision by doing physical therapy exercises, because what you’re doing there is you’re creating new pathways, new ways for the child to use their visual system in the midst of using both eyes together. So with the glasses prescription, you know the way glasses are prescribed is that the doctor is going to put in eyedrops that paralyze the focusing muscles. We call this dilating eyedrops. And once you do that, you have lost the opportunity to be able to measure the organic focusing flexibility of the visual system. And the reason is, is because those muscles are paralyzed because of the eyedrops. And so the prescription that the doctor is going to give is always way too strong. So in this particular case, one of the things we have to look at is First of all, what are the visual acuity requirements? So as a four year old are now in summer, probably not a lot of distance viewing, but you can always test the child, Julie. And you can say, can you see the road signs out there? Can you see things far away? And that’s going to give you an indicator on, you know, maybe how much prescription she needs? Well, mom just did that. And she can see the road signs beyond 20 feet perfectly. So why would you give a plus five or plus six, when she sees perfectly at distance now up close, she’s learning to read and I asked mom to, you know, hold the book out there to see if there’s, you know, what she could see in terms of the print, and she had to pull it in a little bit. But she was able to see the print pretty easily. And so one of the things that we might consider is doing a part time prescription. But I would only do like 20% of what the other person prescribed. So if it was a plus
Coaching Session: Helping an Entrepreneur Move Forward With His Business
In this coaching session, I’m helping an entrepreneur move forward with his business with social media. This entrepreneur wants to create small snippets of information to engage their audience and keep them interested in their farm. We discuss using email blasts, social media sites, and podcasts to deliver the content. Also the importance of consistency and using platforms like TikTok for viral reach. Enjoy the show! If you want more, sign up for my newsletter at: www.drsamberne.com. If you have any questions, submit them to [email protected] or you can now text me! Text ‘Join’ to 1-844-932-1291 to join the community and ask your questions! SUMMARY KEYWORDS podcast, people, reels, snippet, information, aromatherapy, videos, farm, create, imovie, put, 32nd, instagram, tick tock, social media sites, phone, microphone, audio, post, headliner   00:06 Hey everybody, its Dr. Sam, and I’d like to welcome you to my EyeClarity podcast. If you want to get in touch with me with questions, you can email me at [email protected]. And you can always text me your questions at 1-844-932-1291.   00:31 I would like to let you know about my new membership program.   00:36 This is going to offer members new information on how to improve their vision and wellness. So you will get access to articles, video, blogs, podcasts, and webinars. Also a live q&a with me. And all of this information will empower you to make informed decisions about your vision, and your health. So to sign up to go to my website, drsamberne.com. And you can see the details there. All right now on to the show.   01:35 Hey, everybody, it’s Dr. Sam, and I’d like to welcome you to my podcast today. So this is a coaching session I gave helping a brand, develop their products through my marketing techniques. And so you’ll get a snippet of some q&a and also my advice on how to navigate podcasts and videos, especially when you’re just starting out. So I hope you enjoy the show. Thanks for tuning in, give me a little background on your project, and what you’re trying to achieve.   02:19 Basically, what I’m trying to do is we’re trying to create kind of, like you had said, you had mentioned about creating small clips information for content to pique people’s interest, or not wanting to Record interview with other people or creating long clips, but basically to create interest by giving snippets of information for people who are fans of Lazar during keeping them kind of little bits and pieces of nuggets about what’s happening on the farm, just to keep them interested in the goings on and either either give it to them embedded, this is my questions either embedded in the email blasts, we’re sitting out using MailChimp.   03:03 And I’ve gotten some pretty good response on on our email list. So I’m wanting to continue to use that not just in emails, but possibly also included up updates to the social media sites for the podcast, just try to figure out if that’s possible and how you do that.   03:24 So in this project that Jason you’re doing, are these podcasts that you’re wanting to,   03:33 you know, splice up and, and put in the newsletter or what’s the video content?   03:41 Well, basically, I remember what you had said before was I said you could use your your iPhone to create basically a podcast where then you they would use some sort of editor to break it up into segments and issue out different pieces of that to   04:02 to create interest from the people that are following you just so they can fit so they They basically come on, listen to a 32nd to a minute update in products, new products that are coming out happenings at the farm different types of things. And we release those every so often. I just wasn’t sure if that’s something that you would put in on your web. Would you put that in your social media like Facebook and Instagram? Maybe it possibly is real? Or could you just do that and insured also say like, if we do we’re basically we’re trying to do is every two weeks, send out an email to our email list our customers and give them information about what’s happening on the farm. I thought maybe if we can embed an audio clip for them when they when they get it. They will be able to hear what’s happening going on with the farm and that piece of information just to keep it kind of like an organic unique content as they receive the emails to   05:00 to pique your interest, okay, well, this is surely a podcast that you’re broadcasting as a channel on Apple or anywhere else, people can log into it a bit, listen to different podcasts like that it was more about cutting up the snippets and putting in information for the different types of media that you’re trying to submit to people. Okay, so there’s a software program called headliner. &