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A condition called Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the number one cause of irreversible vision loss in people over the age of 65. But this problem can start in your 30s. Often progressing slowly and painlessly, AMD breaks down the microscopic light-sensitive cells in the back of the eye that provide sharp central vision. Macular degeneration impairs reading, writing and driving, causing distorted or missing pieces of sight, glare and difficulty seeing in bright sunlight.

Age is AMD's major risk factor. Your chances triple after age 55. The risk of AMD doubles for smokers, even up to 15 years after quitting. Hearth disease increases the likelihood of getting AMD because the body's blood vessels do not supply good circulation to the eyes. Women run a greater risk than men, and if you have light colored eyes and repeated exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation, your risk increases.

Another serious eye problem, cataracts, occurs when the internal lens, just behind the pupil, becomes cloudy. This is also a slowly progressing, painless condition, but it always leads to vision loss. As you get older your chances of cataracts grows. Diabetes also boost cataract risk.

Glare, especially while driving at night and in sunlight, is common with cataracts, as is blurry, cloudy vision. When this natural lens becomes opacified, it is often surgically removed. An implanted replacement lens generally restores vision to pre-cataract sharpness.

Lutein Lowers AMD Risk
Carotenoids, substances that give fruits and vegetable their bright colors, provide the eyes with antioxidant protection against sunlight. These include lutein, zeaxanthanin and lycopene. Consuming lutein commonly found in broccoli, corn, squash and spinach may reduce the risk of AMD, according to the Florida International University research, by increasing macular pigment density in as few as 20 days after supplementation begins (Exp Eye Res 1997:65:57-62).

Evidence continues to grow showing that taking lutein supplements boosts blood levels of this nutrient and protects the eyes (4/02, Clin Sci 102 (4):447-56). In addition, researchers believe that taking lutein supplements not only protects your vision but may lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, too (3/02 J Nutr 132 (3): 525s-530s).

Researchers have found that a form of lutein known as free lutein is better absorbed by the human body and serves as the eyes' main tool of protection (J Cell Bio Supp 1995, 22:236-46). A form called lutein esters may not be well absorbed and is not generally found in the diet (Invest Ophth Vis Sci 1993 34 (6):2033).

Important lutein studies include the Eye Disease Case Control Study Group. Researcher Joanna Seddon found individuals who consumed the most lutein and zeaxanthanin were 57% less likely to have advanced AMD when compared with those consuming the least (JAMA 1990; 272:1413-1420). Increasing antioxidants can slow the progression of vision loss from so called dry AMD, according to researcher Stuart Richer (J AM Opt Assn, 1996, 67:12-29).

Cooking and pureeing carrots triples the amount of antioxidants you can absorb, as opposed to eating raw carrots.

Leaving carrot skin on also increases antioxidant availability (J AM and Food Chem 2000, 48: 1315-1321). And slightly older carrots my be better, too. University of Arkansas researchers found antioxidant levels increased during the first week of storage, when phenolic compounds formed. After two weeks, though, antioxidant amounts fell.

Bilberry, grape seed extract and ginkgo biloba are bioflavonoid antioxidants that strengthen capillaries. Bilberry increases macular integrity in "wet" AMD and reduces the likelihood of bleeding from the blood vessels in the retina. Grape seed extract is 60 times more potent per milligram than vitamin E and, when taken with antioxidant vitamin C, increases that vitamin's absorption by 50% (Prim Care Opt News, Aug 2001; 27-29).

Thirty percent of the eyes' neuron receptors are made of an omega 3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Light causes these cells to be stressed and break down, and cellular debris to build up. DHA is found in oily fish, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, walnuts, supplements and flax oil.

Researchers reported in the August 2001 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology that the omega 6 fatty acid linoleic acid, found in french fries, processed fatty snack foods and poly unsaturated fats such as margarine, increased the risk of macular degeneration between 71% and 86%.

The NIH's National Eye Institute (NEI) recently concluded a ten year study of over 4,700 people that showed those at high risk for developing advanced AMD stages reduced their risk by about 25% after being treated with 500mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 15mg beta carotene, 80 mg zinc oxide and 2mg cupric oxide.

About a 19% reduction in vision loss was found in the high risk group at the intermediate stage of AMD. That same percentage was found in a third high risk group with either dry or wet advanced AMD.

"These nutrients are the first effective treatment to slow down the progression of this chronic disease," said Paul Sieving, MD, PhD, the new NEI Director (Arch Oph, Oct 2001 119: 1439-1533).

Oxidative Damage
Your risk of cataracts can be reduced with fruits and vegetables, too. Researchers have found that eating foods rich in carotene and vitamin A (particularly lutein - rich spinach) can help you fight cataracts (AJCN 1999; 70:517-24).

Other studies on male health professionals have shown that eating foods which contain lutein and zeaxanthanin may reduce the likelihood of developing cataracts by almost 20%. In addition, over 177,000 male physicians who took vitamin C supplements over ten years reduced their risk of developing cataracts (Am J Pub Health, 1994,84).

Australian researchers found, after studying nearly 3,000 folks between 49 and 97 years of age, that the risk of developing a cataract in the central part of the lens could be reduced with vitamin A, niacin, riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamin and poly unsaturated fats (Ophthal 2000, 107: 450-456). The Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts revealed that, with intake of vitamins C and natural vitamin E, cataract risk was reduced by 2 to 3 times.

A 1991 report of US Dept of Agriculture studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that if you eat fewer than 3.5 daily servings of colorful fruits and vegetables you increase your cataract risk. Consumption of 1.5 oranges or 1.5 cups of orange juice reduced cataract risk by 50%, while doubling that daily intake reduced the risk by 65% (Arch Oph 2001; 119:1009-1019).

Natural Vitamin E
Research has shown that if you take natural vitamin E supplements you may lower your cataract risk (AJCN 1999:69:272-7). M. Christina Leske, MD, MPH, Dept of Preventive Medicine, Univ Medical Center at Stony Brook and lead investigator of the National Eye Institute's Longitudinal Study of Cataract from 1989 to 1993, found the risk of central lens cloudiness was reduced by one third in regular users of multivitamins and by one half in regular users of vitamin E supplements.

Wearing a brimmed hat can shade your eyes and ultraviolet coated sun lenses doubles the protection from the sun's UV radiation.

For added protection, regularly visit a vision professional. Your eyes will thank you by letting you see farther and more clearly. And seeing is believing!!!!Article by Barbara Kogan, OD, EnergyTimes Magazine, October 2002, 45-48

The information presented is for informational purposes only. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Consult your doctor or health care practitioner for any health problem and before using any supplements.