Eye health isn't just about whether you need glasses; your eyes are basically a tell-all that can reveal diabetes, high blood pressure, and even early signs of Alzheimer's. When's the last time you got an eye exam? Your peepers might be trying to tell you something important.In this episode of Salad With a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck chats with Dr. Joseph Allen about why your annual eye checkup is more important than you think. They dive into retinal health, the wild connection between stress and eyes (hello, eyelid twitching!), and simple fixes like eating more lutein-rich greens and getting outside. Dr. Allen explains how often you should get an eye exam, how eye doctors can spot diabetes detection before your regular doctor does, and why you need to clean your eyelids daily. Plus, they tackle puffy eyes, dry eye disease, and lifestyle tweaks that actually work.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ Why annual eye exams are the most critical health screening for catching diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even Alzheimer's early—often before you show any symptoms✅ How stress shows up in your eyes, vision changes, and even blisters forming in the back of the retina, plus natural remedies like melatonin that can aid eye health✅ The lifestyle changes that protect your vision and overall health, including eating lutein and omega-3-rich foods like green leafy vegetables and salmon, natural light exposure, and why cleaning your eyelids daily is as important as brushing your teeth✅ Warning signs you should never ignore: new eye floaters, flashes of light, or dark curtains in your vision that could indicate retinal detachment requiring immediate treatment to prevent blindnessThe Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.TIMESTAMPS:&nbsp;&nbsp;00:00 Intro: Dr. Allen explains various fields of optometry and why eye health is a window to overall wellness and disease detection11:24 Eye exams can detect diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic disorders through retinal bleeding patterns before symptoms appear elsewhere in the body17:00 The connection between stress and eyes, including eyelid twitching, vision changes, and cortisol-induced retinal swelling21:00 Melatonin research for treating stress-related eye conditions and its role as a powerful antioxidant in the retina23:50 Causes of cosmetic eye issues like dark circles, puffy eyelids, and bags under the eyes, plus treatment options29:28 Why diabetes, thyroid disorders, and Alzheimer's significantly impact eye health and vision34:26 Eye floaters and retinal detachment are warning signs that require immediate medical attention to prevent blindness37:37 Essential nutrients for eye health, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids from green leafy vegetables and fish43:10 The importance of natural sunlight and red light devices and the importance of sleep for eye health, tear production, and preventing dry eye disease and inflammation49:01 Daily eyelid hygiene practices prevent meibomian gland dysfunction and chronic dry eyeKEY TAKEAWAYS:&nbsp;💎 Your eyes are literally a window into your body's health—eye doctors can detect early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid issues, and even early Alzheimer's during routine eye exams by examining blood vessels and nerve fibers in the retina before you experience any symptoms or vision problems💎 Stress manifests physically in your eyes through eyelid twitching (myokymia), vision distortions, and even retinal swelling from elevated cortisol levels. The fix? Prioritize quality sleep, reduce caffeine, and consider melatonin supplementation, which acts as a powerful antioxidant for the eye💎 Protect your vision with targeted nutrition: eat lutein and zeaxanthin from green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach (which filter blue light naturally), consume omega-3-rich fish like salmon twice weekly, and combine these for up to 45% reduction in macular degeneration risk💎 Clean your eyelids daily using specialized cleansers with tea tree oil or manuka honey—not baby shampoo—to prevent meibomian gland dysfunction, dry eye disease, and inflammation that can make vision fluctuate like driving through a rainstorm without working wipersABOUT THE GUEST:&nbsp;Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABODr. Allen is a practicing optometrist in Virginia and the founder of Doctor Eye Health, an educational YouTube channel with over 1 million subscribers, where he provides information about eye health, ocular disease, and vision products.&nbsp; He graduated Magna Cum Laude and Salutatorian from the Rosenburg School of Optometry in 2015 and completed his residency at the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center.&nbsp;Dr. Allen is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, and a member of the American Optometric Association’s Strategic Communications Committee.&nbsp;RESOURCES:&nbsp;<a href="https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/membership/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Become a Happy Healthy Hub Member</a><a href="https://www.tlsslim.com/bettermylifenow/weight-loss-profile/?refEmail=0F13173F000B000F0F22031C0319140B02140C1F0F65061600" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jenn’s Free Menu Plan</a><a href="https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Salad With a Side of Fries</a><a href="https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/merch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/saladwithasideoffriespod/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram</a><a href="https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/uncomplicating-wellness/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">About Uncomplicating Wellness</a>Text ‘Book’ to 833-801-0500GUEST RESOURCES:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorEyeHealth" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Doctor Eye Health - YouTube</a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@doctoreyehealth" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Doctor Eye Health (@doctoreyehealth) | TikTok</a><a href="http://www.doctoreyehealth.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Doctor Eye Health - Website</a><a href="https://helpmyze.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorlL5S1fwk9GhupFnkAvCEUAsNrdvpt7aDy0ILjBZ6dqe8Yd68q" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Myze - Website</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=myze+daily+lid+wipes&hvadid=776928670938&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=1013092&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=11761304684280080913--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11761304684280080913&hvtargid=kwd-2441498844861&hydadcr=21657_13655291&mcid=d521e4ea0d58347f96236d6b4320611d&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_6z9raym6sj_e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Myze Eye Care Products - Amazon</a>QUOTES:&nbsp;10:29 “We need regular eye care. Eye care goes beyond just seeing.” Jenn Trepeck16:57 “Stress impacts the eye.” Jenn Trepeck22:48 “If you're ready to stop chasing wellness and start living it, grab your copy of Uncomplicated Wellness. Let's ditch the rules, quiet the noise, and help you reclaim your life.” Jenn Trepeck28:40 “Eyes are the window to your health; it’s like we see also with dental care, that some of these things are giving us an indication of what's happening inside the body.” Jenn Trepeck49:14 “Cleaning of the eyelids is something I'm trying to advocate more for, not just myself, but for a lot of specialists who specialize in dry eye disease.” - Dr. Joseph Allen54:39 “I have patients who come in and feel like they're seeing fine enough to drive, but they're really not seeing their best, and they're missing an opportunity to improve the quality of their life instantly.” - Dr. Joseph AllenSEO KEYWORDS:&nbsp;Jenn Trepeck, Salad With A Side Of Fries, Nutrition Nugget, Health Coach, Weight Loss For Real Life, Dr. Joseph Allen, Doctor Eye Health Podcast, Eye Health, Eye Exam, Retinal Health, Stress And Eyes, Lutein, How Often Should You Get An Eye Exam, Diabetes Detection, Dry Eye Disease, Vision, High Blood Pressure, Melatonin, Omega-3, Green Leafy Vegetables, Eye Floaters, Retinal Detachment, Blindness, Thyroid, Zeaxanthin, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Eyelids, Eye Inflammation, Annual Eye Exam, Early Disease Detection, Early Disease Prevention

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

Eyes are the Window to Your Health (feat. Dr. Joseph Allen)

Salad With a Side of Fries Nutrition, Wellness & Weight Loss

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews