Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Episode: Heal Your Vision Naturally | Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, OD
Date: April 24, 2026
Episode Overview
In this eye-opening episode, Alex Clark welcomes Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, an innovative neuro-optometrist and founder of My Vision First, for an in-depth discussion on natural and holistic ways to improve vision at any age. Dr. Appelbaum explains how vision is deeply connected to brain function, demystifies common myths about eyesight decline, explores the environmental and lifestyle factors affecting our vision, and offers practical, actionable steps (including at-home exercises) for maintaining and even improving eye health. The conversation delves into vision issues related to aging, childhood development, screen fatigue, concussions, and debunking pervasive eye health myths.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Vision vs. Eyesight: A Crucial Distinction
- Eyesight: The clarity of what we see (e.g., reading an eye chart); typically treated with glasses or contacts.
- Vision: How the brain processes, organizes, and assigns meaning to the information the eyes receive; “Vision problems are brain problems.”
Quote:
"Eyesight and vision are two different things...Vision, though, is entirely brain. Vision problems are brain problems and there are solutions for brain problems with something like vision therapy or vision performance training." — Dr. Appelbaum [00:55]
2. Is Vision Decline Inevitable?
- Aging and Vision: Age-related changes (e.g., need for reading glasses, cataracts) are common but not always “normal”—many are preventable or delayable through a proactive approach.
- Proactive vs. Reactive Care: Most eye care is reactive (wait for decline, then intervene), but Dr. Appelbaum advocates for proactive strategies: vision training, nutrition, and environmental adjustments.
- Glasses as a Crutch?: Early use, especially in kids and under 40, can be a sign of underdeveloped visual function rather than a permanent deficit.
Quote:
"If we can't control our eyes and their ability to focus, we can't control our mind and its ability to focus." — Dr. Appelbaum [05:17]
3. Development, Genetics, and Childhood Vision
- Vision is Developed, Not Fixed: No one is born with the ability to read or see in 3D—it’s all developed through sequential milestones. Skipping developmental steps (like crawling) can lead to coordination challenges.
Quote:
"Vision is entirely developed. No one's born with the ability to read or to use their eyes to track, to converge, to focus, or even with the ability to see in 3D." — Dr. Appelbaum [04:12]
4. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
- Screen Time Pandemic: Excessive screen use, low outdoor exposure, and being sedentary are major risk factors for rapidly increasing myopia (nearsightedness) and other vision problems.
Statistic:
"When we landed on the moon in 1969, a fourth of America was nearsighted. Right now it’s about 43–44% and climbing...by 2050, 50% of the world is going to be nearsighted." — Dr. Appelbaum [10:26]
- Outdoor Exposure: Two hours a day outdoors is protective, especially for children.
- Light Quality & Circadian Health: Blue light at night (junk light) disrupts sleep cycles, impacts childhood puberty onset, and overall eye/mental health.
Quote:
"Getting two to ten minutes of sunlight first thing in the morning is so critical for setting our circadian rhythm." — Dr. Appelbaum [13:18]
5. Common Myths & Outdated Eye Health Advice
- LASIK Surgery: Should be a stable, lasting solution; regression often signals underlying functional problems, not LASIK failure itself.
Quote:
"LASIK shouldn't go after 10 years...the ones who do are usually the ones in a sedentary lifestyle on screens." — Dr. Appelbaum [22:27]
- Glasses Prescription Changes: Needing stronger glasses every year is not normal; indicates a functional visual imbalance, not just aging.
- Preservative-filled Eye Drops: Many commercial eye drops contain harmful preservatives. Opt for preservative-free and identify root causes of dry eyes (nutrition, gut health, inflammation).
6. Supplements, Nutrition, and Natural Interventions
- Key Supplements: Omega-3s, lutein, zeaxanthin, glutathione (gluterol — transdermal spray), and carbon-60 (C60) for antioxidant support.
- Top Eye-Healthy Foods: Eggs (lutein, choline), citrus fruits, leafy greens, and oily fish (SMASH: sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon, halibut).
Quote:
“Eggs have lutein in the yolk and choline. Lutein is really great...as an antioxidant to help slow down and offset some of the age related changes” — Dr. Appelbaum [28:34]
- Carrots Are Overrated: The “carrots for eyesight” myth is historical propaganda (see WWII origins).
7. Vision Training & At-Home Exercises
- Eye Push-Ups: A basic exercise to build focusing flexibility and stamina (instructions at [41:20]).
- Vision Therapy: Effective for issues like lazy eye, strabismus, reading problems, and post-concussion rehab; akin to “physical therapy for the eyes and brain.”
Quote:
“Vision exercises work. You have to do the right work in the right place for the right reasons.” — Dr. Appelbaum [40:58]
8. Vision & Hidden Problems (ADHD and More)
- Functional Vision Issues Are Often Misdiagnosed: Children (and adults) may be labeled with ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, learning issues, or even motion sickness which are, in reality, rooted in treatable vision processing deficits.
Statistic:
“15 of the 18 most common diagnostic criteria for ADHD or ADD also have visual components from hidden vision problems.” — Dr. Appelbaum [39:28]
9. Concussions and Vision
- Concussions Affect Vision: Even without direct eye trauma, vision is usually impacted after head injuries due to the intense brain-eye connection. Symptoms may include light sensitivity, brain fog, headaches, sensory overload.
- Vision Rehabilitation: Can restore or even enhance function after a concussion; regular eye exams don’t test for this.
Story:
- Dr. Appelbaum shares the case of “Lisa,” a teacher who fully recovered from post-concussive dysfunction with vision training, dietary changes, and supplements ([58:18]).
10. Finding and Working with a Functional Vision Specialist
- How to Find Help: Use covd.org to find board-certified doctors in vision development.
- Online Training: Dr. Appelbaum offers ScreenFit.com—a home vision training program—with a discount for listeners ("code Alex") ([62:21]).
- Intensive In-Office Programs: Week-long bootcamps available for complex cases, with follow-up programs.
11. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“Seek 20-happy, not 20/20.”
“I'm a big proponent of seeking 20 happy rather than 2020. Meaning the ideal prescription for most people is the weakest lens possible, if any.” — Dr. Appelbaum [09:10]
-
On Screen Culture and Children:
“No developing brain has the capacity to handle the screen time that's being asked of it.” — Dr. Appelbaum [16:01]
-
On Surgery for Lazy Eye/Strabismus:
“Best case scenario with a strabismus eye muscle surgery is a cosmetic cure. Never is there a functional cure.” — Dr. Appelbaum [47:40]
-
On Modern Vision Care:
“We need to at least recognize that vision likely is a piece of the puzzle and go get your vision checked with a functional vision evaluation.” — Dr. Appelbaum [66:30]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Topic/Segment |
|-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 00:00–04:00 | Dr. Appelbaum introduces vision training, difference between eyesight and vision |
| 04:49–05:35 | Reading glasses as a crutch, focusing system, mental focus |
| 10:26–11:46 | Rise of myopia, screen time pandemic, environmental causes |
| 13:18–15:12 | Circadian rhythms, sunlight, blue light, and children’s health |
| 21:03–22:27 | Myths about prescription changes, LASIK durability concerns |
| 25:18–26:57 | Dangers of preservatives in eye drops, eye-gut axis |
| 28:34–29:20 | Top vision-supportive foods (eggs, citrus, leafy greens, oily fish) |
| 37:35–40:48 | Hidden vision issues misdiagnosed as ADHD, motion sickness, learning challenges |
| 41:20–43:53 | Eye push-ups demo: at-home focusing exercise |
| 47:40–49:36 | Lazy eye, strabismus, why muscle surgery isn’t a functional solution |
| 56:00–58:18 | Concussions, vision rehab, real-life recovery story |
| 62:21–63:08 | Online vision training (ScreenFit), at-home program, discount for listeners |
| 66:30–67:16 | Dr. Appelbaum’s remedy for a sick culture: make functional vision a routine health check |
Actionable Takeaways
- Understand that worsening vision is not inevitable; proactive, brain-based approaches can delay or improve many issues.
- Prioritize outdoor time and minimize screen exposure, especially for children.
- Choose preservative-free eye drops and address root causes of dryness through nutrition (especially omega-3s).
- Use basic exercises like “eye push-ups” ([41:20]) to maintain and stimulate focusing ability.
- If dealing with learning, attention, or unexplained performance issues (academic, sports, etc.), consider a functional vision evaluation.
- After any concussion, pursue a functional vision assessment regardless of normal MRI/CT findings.
- Seek personalized, brain-based vision therapies instead of routine prescription escalation or surgery for functional problems.
- Find board-certified vision development professionals at covd.org or use online programs like screenfit.com (Code “Alex” for discount).
Conclusion
This episode blends practical health advice with scientific insight, reframing vision care as a lifelong, holistic journey deeply tied to brain health, lifestyle, and the modern environment. Dr. Appelbaum’s approach empowers listeners to question traditional narratives about vision decline and consider overlooked root causes behind many "normal" struggles. If you feel stuck with your own or your child’s eyesight, there’s genuine hope—and practical, science-based steps—you can start today.
[For more info: Dr. Appelbaum on Instagram (@drbryceappelbaum), My Vision First, Screenfit.com (code ALEX). Find certified specialists at covd.org.]