All protocols
5,340 protocols across every category, most recommended first.
- ▶ 1ToolsUV-Blocking Eyeglass Lenses
Use eyeglass lenses that block UV light; guest states UV blocking is standard in eyeglasses and beneficial for protecting eyes from cataract formation and other UV-related damage.
- ▶ 1ToolsTransitions Glasses
Photochromic glasses that darken in UV light can be used outdoors; they react specifically to UV wavelengths.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid LASIK if You Already Have Dry Eye
If you already have dry eye, LASIK may not be a good idea because it can worsen dryness by affecting corneal nerves.
- ▶ 1ToolsLASIK Surgery
LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors and can sometimes produce better-than-20/20 vision; best considered after prescription has been stable for years and generally avoided in people with significant dry eye.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsDelay LASIK Until Prescription Is Stable
Wait to do LASIK until the eyeglass prescription has been stable for two to five years, typically into the 20s rather than childhood or early teens.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse Artificial Tears as Often as Needed
Preservative-free artificial tears can be used as often as needed, even every hour, without harming the eye.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsBlink More During Screen Use
Be aware that reading, computer work, and TV reduce blinking; increasing blinking may help redistribute tears and oils more effectively.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsReduce Eye Inflammation From Allergy
Reduce allergy-related inflammation because seasonal allergies and dust can worsen dry eye symptoms.
- ▶ 1ToolsSerum Tears
For advanced or hard-to-control dry eye, ask an eye care provider about serum tears made from the patient's own blood serum diluted for eyedrop use.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAnnual Eye Exam for Diabetes
Anyone with diabetes should get at least an annual eye exam or retinal photograph screening for diabetic retinopathy.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsLifestyle Changes for Type 2 Diabetes Control
In type 2 diabetes, especially when caught early, improve eating habits, get good exercise, and try to lose weight to help improve blood sugar and blood pressure control.
- ▶ 1ToolsGlaucoma Eye Drops
Use prescribed glaucoma eye drops to lower intraocular pressure and slow progression of optic nerve damage and vision loss, including in people whose starting pressure appears normal.
- ▶ 1ToolsSelective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a benign, very safe, non-invasive laser procedure that can be used as a first-line glaucoma treatment and may have advantages over eyedrops.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsTake Prescribed Glaucoma Drops Consistently
If prescribed glaucoma drops, use them consistently despite lack of immediate symptom relief.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAvoid Smoking and Secondhand Smoke, Including Vaping
Do not smoke, vape nicotine, or expose yourself to secondhand smoke; these are major risk factors for macular degeneration and are also harmful for glaucoma and dry eye.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsHeart-Healthy Lifestyle for Glaucoma Risk Reduction
Follow a cardiovascular-healthy lifestyle for eye health, especially if you have glaucoma or are at high risk: avoid smoking, eat healthy, take a multivitamin, and get some exercise.
- ▶ 1DietEdible Cannabis
If using cannabis responsibly, edible forms are preferable to smoking from an eye-health standpoint; discussed as a select-case adjunct, not primary glaucoma therapy, and may help keep eye pressure down in some patients.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsUse Cannabis Before Bed in Select Glaucoma Cases
In select glaucoma patients, cannabis products before bed may help control nighttime eye pressure when pressure is highest; discussed as a possible adjunct, not standard primary treatment.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsIgnore Floaters
For typical floaters, do not worry and intentionally ignore them; the brain often filters them out and they usually go away over months.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsAirplane Mode or Keep Phone Out of Pockets
Avoid keeping a turned-on smartphone in your front or back pocket because of possible reproductive effects; if you must carry it in a pocket, use airplane mode as a risk-mitigation step while evidence is still being clarified.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsWhole Body Hyperthermia
Use whole-body hyperthermia, often excluding the head, as a potentially interesting intervention for depression; Tim notes adherence and access limitations.
- ▶ 1DietDo Not Eat Anything White
Slow-carb rule #2; avoid foods that are white or could be white, including examples like oatmeal. Tim says to ignore exceptions for at least two weeks, though cauliflower is explicitly allowed.
- ▶ 1Diet30 Grams of Protein Within 30 Minutes of Waking
Eat 30 g protein within 30 minutes of waking; Tim says this helps many people, can reduce appetite and total daily calories, and is especially useful if you tend to skip breakfast and consume 50% or more of calories at dinner. Cottage cheese is given as one easy morning protein option.
- ▶ 1DietBuild Meals from Vegetables, Beans/Lentils, and Protein
On the slow-carb diet, construct meals from vegetables, beans and lentils, and some type of protein. Beans and lentils are specifically noted to add fiber and inhibit appetite.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsRepeat the Same Meals for One to Two Weeks
On the slow-carb diet, choose meals from the approved categories and repeat the same meals for 1–2 weeks to improve adherence.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsCheat Day
Take one day off per week on the slow-carb diet and indulge freely; Tim says this acts as a release valve and should be one contained day, not spread across two days. Saturday is a good cheat day for most people. Keeping a running list of foods you want to eat on cheat day can help adherence during the week.
- ▶ 1DietAvoid Fruit, Fructose, and Added Sweeteners During the Week
On the slow-carb diet, avoid fruit during the week, avoid fructose including hidden sugar sources, and avoid added sweeteners.
- ▶ 1DietAvoid Domino Foods in the House
Avoid keeping foods around that trigger compulsive overeating; almonds and mixed nuts are given as examples of 'domino foods' that can lead to mindless eating.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsDo Not Keep Domino Foods in the House
Remove foods that trigger compulsive overeating, such as almonds or mixed nuts, from the house.
- ▶ 1BehaviorsMeasure Results During Dieting
Measure outcomes while following the diet; Tim notes the scale is a blunt instrument and other methods may be better, though the scale can work if someone is extremely overweight.