Age-Related Eye Disorders

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is a progressive eye condition that affects as many as 17 million Americans. This disease attacks the macula of the eye, where the sharpest central vision occurs. Although it rarely results in complete blindness, a person suffering from AMD is robbed of all but the outermost peripheral vision, leaving only dim images or black holes at the center of vision.

As the years pass, the eye becomes more damaged from its constant interaction with light. Rod and cone photoreceptors that give a person optimal visual acuity and perceive color and light, start to die out and are not replaced. These rods and cones reside in the macula – the smallest, but very important, part of the eye that helps us to focus on the fine details that are seen directly in front of the eye.

Two antioxidants accumulate in the macula to help filter out damaging blue light and sunlight – zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan'-thin) and lutein (lu-teen). These two carotenoids have different functions in protection of healthy vision. Research has shown maintaining healthy levels of zeaxanthin and lutein could reduce the risk of AMD.

AMD tends to affect people over the age of 55, with women being more at risk than men. Smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and continued exposure to damaging light can also increase the chances of developing this eye disease.

A good way to prevent AMD and maintain your healthy vision is by adding zeaxanthin and lutein to your everyday diet. Foods like kale, spinach, corn and broccoli contain these antioxidants needed to protect the macula. Dietary intake of zeaxanthin and lutein averages 1.5 mg/day against an accepted daily requirement of 6 mg. Moreover, since most people's dietary intake of these substances decrease as they age, it is important that there are other means of providing zeaxanthin and lutein to the body. Dietary supplements with natural zeaxanthin and lutein are proven to provide the necessary amount of these substances to maintain healthy vision.

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Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which is behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly, both up close and far away.

The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through. But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract and, over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.

There are three different types of cataracts:

• Nuclear cataracts – This is the most common type of cataract that forms in the nucleus (the center of the lens) and is due to natural aging.
• Cortical cataract – Forms in the lens cortex and gradually extends from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.
• Subcapsular cataracts – These begin at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids may develop this type of cataract.

Researchers from Ohio State University report that zeaxanthin could help to prevent cataracts. Their study involved testing human eye lens cells with varying concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin or Vitamin E. They then exposed these cells, along with a batch of untreated cells, to doses of ultraviolet-beta (UVB) radiation for 10 seconds. UVB radiation is thought to be the primary environmental cause for initiating cataract disease.

By adding lutein and zeaxanthin to the cell cultures, it provided double the protection from UVB damage by 50 to 60 percent, while Vitamin E only reduced the same signs of damage by 25 to 32 percent. The study – published in the Journal of Nutrition – also found that it took far less lutein and zeaxanthin than Vitamin E to get this protective effect.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults that suffer from diabetes. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In some people, the blood vessels may swell and leak fluid while with others, abnormal, new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.

Animal studies have shown a diet that contains high levels of zeaxanthin and lutein has been shown to help maintain eye health in diabetics, although this somewhat depends on the severity of the diabetes. (more info)

Poor Central Vision

Central "straight ahead" vision resides in the macula. Central vision is different from peripheral vision in that it allows a person to read, drive and perform other activities that require fine, sharp vision. Loss of macular pigment can blur central vision and may cause color vision deficiencies. Zeaxanthin and lutein are the main components of macular pigment.

Blue Light Glare

Light is essential to vision, but normal daylight contains "blue" light, which is the highest energy light. Too much blue light causes glare, which can be distracting and even dangerous. Glare can happen during the day or night and in a variety of ways, such as moving from shade to bright sunlight or when light reflects off of shiny surfaces. Glare can cause squinting, eyestrain, eye fatigue or, in extreme cases, temporary blindness, which can diminish healthy eyesight. Because zeaxanthin and lutein absorb blue light, these carotenoids reduce glare and help prevent glare-related problems. (more info)

Visit these web sites for more information about AMD and how you can get support if you are suffering from this disease.

Macular Degeneration Partnership
amd.org

AMD Alliance International
amdalliance.org

MD Support
mdsupport.org

American Health Assistance Foundation
ahaf.org

The Foundation Fighting Blindness
blindness.org

The National Eye Institute
nei.nih.gov