Category: Macular Degeneration

Poor Circulation and Age Related Macular Degeneration Study

A large study found strong evidence that older people who have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are at increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), although not for stroke. This result adds to mounting evidence that AMD and cardiovascular disease may share some risk factors–smoking, High Blood Pressure, inflammatory indicators such as C-reactive protein (related to inflammation), genetic variants such as complement factor H–and disease mechanisms.

 

A large study found strong evidence that older people who have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are at increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), although not for stroke. This result adds to mounting evidence that AMD and cardiovascular disease may share some risk factors–smoking, High Blood Pressure, inflammatory indicators such as C-reactive protein (related to inflammation), genetic variants such as complement factor H–and disease mechanisms.

The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) followed 1,786 white or African American participants, who were free of CHD or stroke at the study’s outset, for about seven years. The CHS received funding from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health.

The incidence of CHD was 25.76 percent in patients with AMD, compared with 18.9 percent in those without AMD. The association between AMD and CHD was somewhat stronger in people age 69 to 78 than age 79 and up. Data were adjusted to counter potentially confounding factors like hypertension, diabetes, and smoking.

Editor’s Notes: It is estimated that the eyes/visual system requires up to 25% of the nutrients we take into our bodies to maintain healthy vision, so this is another study showing the strong correlation between circulation and macular degeneration (and resulting loss of oxygen and nutrients that reach the eyes).

See more information on nutrients for macular support.

Retinal Implants Can Restore Some Lost Vision

MIT engineers have designed a retinal implant for people who have lost their vision from retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration, two of the leading causes of blindness.
The retinal prosthesis would help restore some vision by electrically stimulating the nerve cells that normally carry visual input from the retina to the brain.

MIT engineers have designed a retinal implant for people who have lost their vision from retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration, two of the leading causes of blindness.

The retinal prosthesis would help restore some vision by electrically stimulating the nerve cells that normally carry visual input from the retina to the brain.

The chip would not restore normal vision but could help blind people more easily navigate a room or walk down a sidewalk. “Anything that could help them see a little better and let them identify objects and move around a room would be an enormous help,” says Shawn Kelly, a researcher in MIT’s Research Laboratory for Electronics and member of the Boston Retinal Implant Project.

Patients who received the implant would wear a pair of glasses with a camera that sends images to a microchip attached to the eyeball. The glasses also contain a coil that wirelessly transmits power to receiving coils surrounding the eyeball. When the microchip receives visual information, it activates electrodes that stimulate nerve cells in the areas of the retina corresponding to the features of the visual scene. The electrodes directly activate optical nerves that carry signals to the brain, bypassing the damaged layers of retina.

The research team, led by John Wyatt, MIT professor of electrical engineering and computer science, recently reported a new prototype that they hope to start testing in blind patients within the next three years, after some safety refinements are made. Once human trials begin and blind patients can offer feedback on what they’re seeing, the researchers will learn much more about how to configure the algorithm implemented by the chip to produce useful vision.

Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
See more information on the latest research on nutrition and vision.

Meso-zeaxanthin and Macular Degeneration Prevention

Meso-zeaxanthin and Macular Degeneration Prevention

A supplement of meso-zeaxanthin may bolster macular pigment optical density (MPOD), according to researchers from Florida International University (Nutr Metab . 2007;4:12) (DOI:10.1186/1743-7075-4-12). Lutein and zeaxanthin have been the primary focus of research trials exploring how the xanthophyll carotenoids can support macular pigment and possibly prevent onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Meso-zeaxanthin is the third major carotenoid found in macular pigment.

 

Update on Meso-Zeaxanthin

A new study, known as Meso-zeaxanthin ocular supplementation trial (MOST), begins in late March 2010 and the clinical research team are currently recruiting suitable candidates. The specialists involved in the trial are research experts in this area of eye disease. The trial requires 60 patients who have been diagnosed with early AMD. After a complimentary eye screening by an IVR Ophthalmologist, suitable candidates will be enrolled into the trial and provided with a 12-month course of dietary supplements containing the macular pigments.

For further information on AMD or on the MOST trial being conducted at the Institute of Vision Research, please contact: Eithne Connolly, Clinical Research Technician, on 051 302153 or at eithneativr.ie

Editor’s Note: Recent studies have shown that the carotenoid mesozeaxanthin, in the family of lutein and zeaxanthin,  is used as an antioxidant directly in the center of the retina. Hopefully this study will further confirm that this nutrient along with a family of other essential nutrients helps preserve vision for those with macular degeneration.

Parents — Are You Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight?

Survey by The College of Optometrists finds 76% of parents do not protect their children’s eyes in the sun.

A new survey of 2000 British families shows that parents are risking their child’s eyesight by exposing them to bright sunlight without appropriate protection.  Over three-quarters of parents questioned admitted to not making sure their child wears sunglasses when out in the sun.

Overexposure to sunlight can damage the retina and lens of the eye, increasing the risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye conditions later in life.  According to the World Health Organization, up to 80% of exposure to UV over a person’s lifetime occurs before the age of 18, so it is crucial that children wear sunglasses to minimize long-term damage.

The survey found that while 43% of parents ensure their child’s time in the sun is limited and 76% make sure they apply sunscreen to their child, buying sunglasses appears to be a much lower priority:  29% of those questioned do not even buy sunglasses for their children.  Of those who do, only 25% choose sunglasses from a reputable brand or supplier, and 46% of parents surveyed choose price over protection when selecting sunglasses.

Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser at The College of Optometrists, stated: “I am shocked to see that so many parents aren’t ensuring that their child’s eyes are protected in the sun, and am equally astounded to see that of those who do, many are opting for ‘cheap and cheerful’ over quality.”

The College of Optometrists recommends purchasing good quality, dark sunglasses that guarantee a safe level of UV protection.

SOURCE:  Parents Risk their Children’s Eyesight in the Sun, The College of Optometrists, August 18, 2009, http://www.college-optometrists.org

Diet High in Antioxidants Helps Preserve Vision and Slows Down the Progression of Macular Degeneration

New study show that a diet high in antioxidants helps preserve vision and slows down the progression of macular degeneration

Antioxidants in Diets

Antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables such as carrots can help slow down sight loss in older adults, say scientists.

In a five-year study which included more than 400 people, scientists in Belfast and Waterford showed that the intake of high levels of both carotenoids – rich antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables – preserved macular pigments, slowing down the progression from early to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Fresh Cut Fruit

Fresh-cut fruits is one of the fastest growing food categories in U.S. supermarkets, but what effect does processing and storage have on the nutritional value of the fruit?

Surprisingly, an international team of scientists has found that cutting and packaging fruit had almost no affect on the main antioxidants.

Their report, published in the Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry, shows that fresh-cut fruit retains vitamin C and other healthful antioxidants after days on the shelf.

The researchers obtained pineapples, mangoes, cantaloupes, watermelons, strawberries and kiwifruits from wholesale commercial sources in California.  The fruit was taken to a laboratory at the University of California in Davis. Half of each lot was processed as fresh-cut and half left whole.

Both lots were refrigerated under identical conditions for nine days and then tested for nutrient content. Tests showed only small losses of antioxidant compounds in the cut fruit compared to fruit left whole. Levels of some antioxidants in fresh-cut mango and watermelon actually increased due to exposure to light.

In general, researchers found that fresh-cut fruits visually spoil before any significant nutrient loss occurs.

SOURCE:  Quality Changes and Nutrient Retention in Fresh-Cut versus Whole Fruits during Storage, Gil et al, J. Agric. Food Chem., 2006, 54 (12), pp 4284–4296.

Vegetables & Nuts

University of Liverpool scientists claim that macular degeneration could be reduced by up to 20% by increasing the amount of fruit, vegetables and nuts in the diet.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness, as individuals gradually lose their central vision due to the failure of cells in the macula (the light sensitive membrane at the center of the retina).

Professor Ian Grierson, Head of Ophthalmology at the University of Liverpool, said: “Poor eating habits have a huge impact on health in general and the health of your eyes is no exception. Eye problems such as AMD, cataract and even glaucoma can all be affected by what we eat. But a relatively minor change in diet – adding a little more fruit into our meals – can make a profound difference and can keep eye diseases like AMD at bay for up to 20% longer.

“There are of course other risk factors related to AMD such as age, light exposure, smoking and being overweight. But if we can improve the kind of food that we eat, we could dramatically reduce the number of people who may suffer from eye diseases in the future.”

Grierson recommends incorporating fruits and nuts as minor additions to what we already eat, such as peaches with ham or ginger with melon.  He believes this will help slow down or even prevent the degeneration process by increasing micronutrient, vitamin and antioxidant intake in the diet.

SOURCE:  “Diet Could Reduce Onset Of Eye Disease By 20%”, University of Liverpool (2009, February 18),

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Macular Degeneration Prevention

Animal Testing: Fatty Acids & AMD

A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids has been found to protect against a variety of diseases including atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Retrospective studies have suggested that diets high in fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids may also contribute to protection against age-related macular degeneration.

A group of researchers led by Dr. Chi-Chao Chan at the National Eye Institute examined the direct effect of omega-3 fatty acids on a mouse model of age-related macular degeneration. A diet with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids resulted in slower lesion progression, with improvement in some lesions. These mice had lower levels of inflammatory molecules and higher levels of anti-inflammatory molecules, which may explain this protective effect.

The researchers suggest that “a diet enriched in EPA and DHA can reduce the progression of retinal lesions in their mouse model of age-related macular degeneration” and that “the results in these mice are in line with the epidemiological studies of age-related macular degeneration risk reduction by long chain n-3 fatty acids.” The results “further provide the scientific basis for the application of omega-3 fatty acids and their biologically active derivatives in the prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.”

Long Chain Fatty Acids

A study published in the Journal of Lipids Research looked into the roles played by both long chain and very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs and VLC-PUFAs), both of which are naturally present in the eyes.  There are not a lot of VLC-PUFAs in the eyes, and they have not received a lot of scientific attention, but this study focused on the important role they play in eye health.

Researchers concluded that a lack of either LC-PUFAs and VLC-PUFAs can lead to macular degeneration.  Source: https://www.lef.org

Fish oil is the key source of these compounds.

Good versus Bad Fats: 2 Studies

In the first study, Australian researchers evaluated data from 2,454 participants in the Blue Mountain Eye Study of men and women aged 49+. Those who consumed at least one fish serving weekly had a 31 percent lower adjusted risk of developing early AMD compared with those who consumed less.

In another study, Australian researchers of the Centre for Eye Research Australia and her associates evaluated data from 6,734 men and women aged 58 to 69 who participated in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. Dietary questionnaires completed between 1990 and 1994 were analyzed for the intake of various foods and individual fatty acids. Follow up examinations conducted between 2003 and 2006 detected 2,872 cases of early age-related macular degeneration and 88 cases of late disease.

Patients whose diets included many trans-unsaturated fats experienced a marked increase in late macular degeneration incidence, while those with amounts of trans-fats in their diets in the top 25% of all the people evaluated had  76 percent greater risk than those whose trans-fat consumption was among the lowest fourth.

Olive oil was found to provide protection against late developing AMD.  Comparing patients who included at least 100 milliliters olive oil weekly to those who consumed less than 1 milliliter per week, these “high olive oil users”  had 52 percent lower risk of late AMD.

For early developing AMD, those people who had the highest 25 percent inclusion of  omega-3 fatty acids in their diet had a 15 percent lower risk as compared with those patients who had the least consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (lowest 1/4 of consumption).

Fish as Omega-3 Source

Researches established that one serving of omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish in the diet weekly may reduce  AMD  risk  by over 50 percent.

The EUREYE study was a population-based survey of risk factors for AMD and ARM in elderly Europeans.  2,275 people aged 65+  were given eye exams and completed a questionnaire about their diet.  One aspect of the research looked at the quantity of oily fish, which is known to be high in omega-3 fatty acids. They found that 64% of the group ate less than one serving of oily fish per week; 25% of the group ate 1 serving weekly, and twice or more weekly by 12% of the survey group.

The 25% consuming oily fish at least 1 time a week were 50% less likely to develop neovascular AMD and those eating twice a week had a 58% lower risk.

Good choices for fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids are cold water fish such as salmon, herring, anchovies, mackerel and sardines.

Source: Augood, et al; Oily fish consumption, dietary docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid intakes, and associations with neovascular age-related macular degeneration; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 2, 398-406, August 2008.

High Omega-3 and Low Carbohydrate Diet

Researchers from Tufts University have found that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in starchy carbohydrates can significantly reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The study, published in the journal Ophthalmology, is the first to calculate the combined effect of specific dietary nutrients and eating habits on a person’s risk for age-related macular degeneration.

During the study of 4003 participants in the ongoing Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), each dietary factor was assigned a percentile score; these scores were accumulated to find each participant’s compound score. The compound score was then evaluated for its association with the risk of AMD.

Researchers showed that vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and the omega-3 fatty acids known as D.H.A. and E.P.A. were linked to lower risk for AMD.

The lowest risk of AMD was found in participants who regularly consumed a combination of these nutrients as part of a low-glycemic index diet.

The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates that break down rapidly during digestion, such as white bread and pastries, have a higher GI, as they release glucose into the bloodstream rapidly. Foods that break down more slowly, such as vegetables and proteins, have a lower GI value.

SOURCE: “Dietary Compound Score and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study”, Chiu, et al, Ophthalmology, Volume 116, Issue 5, Pages 939-946.

Omega-3, Nuts, Linoleic Acid and AMD

Researchers have released a new study showing that regularly including  fish, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and nuts in one’s diet helps protect against age-related AMD.

The study, published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, assessed the relationship between dietary fatty acids and the 10-year incident of AMD.

Scientists examined 3654 elderly Australian participants at baseline and re-examined 2454 of these participants five and/or ten years later.  Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire.

The findings confirmed many previous studies on AMD.  After adjusting for age, sex, and smoking:

  • one serving of fish per week was associated with reduced risk of early AMD primarily among participants with less than the median linoleic acid consumption
  • findings were similar for consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids:  one to two servings of nuts per week was associated with reduced risk of early AMD
  • a positive tie between nut consumption and reduced risk of pigmentary abnormalities were seen among nonsmokers, participants with less than the median ratio of serum total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and those with beta carotene intake greater than the median level.

This study provides evidence of protection against early AMD through:

  • regular consumption of fish and nuts
  • greater consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
  • low intakes of foods rich in linoleic acid

SOURCE:  Dietary Fatty Acids and the 10-Year Incidence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, The Blue Mountains Eye Study, Tan, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(5):656-665.

For more related research studies, click here for Natural Eye Care Related research on nutrition and macular degeneration.

Eat Fish to Fight Macular Degeneration

A new study provides further evidence that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
A NIH-funded study group led by Dr. Chi-Chao Chan at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, examined the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on a mouse model of AMD. Mice that were given a diet including high levels of omega-3 fatty acids showed slower retinal lesion progression, with improvement in some lesions.

Study authors suggest that the results “further provide the scientific basis for the application of omega-3 fatty acids and their biologically active derivatives in the prevention and treatment of AMD.”

Excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids include cold water oily fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.

SOURCE: Tuo J, et al: A high omega-3 fatty acid diet reduces retinal lesions in a murine model of macular degeneration, Am J Pathol 2009 175: 799-807.

Bilberry: Macular Degeneration & Cataracts

Bilberry

European Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Bilberry is one of the anti-oxidant rich fruits which are commonly recommended for vision conditions as well as being helpful for many other health conditions. It’s a common component in many nutritional formulations intending for vision.

There has been preliminary evidence that bilberries may help inhibit or even reverse macular disorders such as macular degeneration. Wikipedia points out that because they contain a lot of anthocyanin pigments (very dark blue) they may reduce risk for problems of the heart and cardiovascular system, eyes, and cancer.

Bilberry, a cousin to our native American blueberry or huckleberry, is, according to Wikipedia,

“… is a name given to several species of low-growing shrubs in the genus Vaccinium (family Ericaceae) that bears fruits. The species most often referred to is Vaccinium myrtillus L., otherwise known as the European blueberry. Other names are blaeberry, whortleberry, whinberry (or winberry), wimberry, myrtle blueberry, fraughan, and other names regionally.”

They don’t grow well domestically and so are harvested wild. Wikipedia points out, in fact, that it is a right, in most European countries to harvest bilberries anywhere, on anyone’s property, except in the owner’s own private garden. Public domain!

Why do bilberries help? Apparently primarily because they contain powerful anti-oxidants. More specifically, their flavonoids contain an unusually large amount of antioxidants. Flavonoids are organic compounds not directly involved in normal growth, but which assist in healthy maintenance, and whose lack causes problems.

An abstract in Advances in Gerontology, a Russian publication, discusses treatment of rats with cataracts and macular degeneration.
The abstract points out that:

“Bilberry’s flavonoids are known as potent antioxidants, scavenging free radicals and used for multiple age-related ocular disorders.”

The Russian researchers used rats with early senile cataract and macular degeneration. They were given a diet with 25% bilberry extract over a 1.5 to 3 month period (with vitamin E as a comparison). 70% of the rats given vitamin E had cataracts and macular degeneration, and those who received bilberry extract had none.

In one Italian study (I could not find the original research) 50 people with early cataract took bilberry extracts 3 times a day – the treatment stopped the progression of cataracts in 97% of the participants. Source: 100 Healing Herbs. Another study published in Alternative Medicine Review, 2001, mentions bilberry as a possible aid for cataracts.

Bilberry is a major ingredient of Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, and is been part of his recommended protocol for patients with macular degeneration and other macular conditions and cataracts.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_metabolite
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavonoid
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16075680
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilberry
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16075680
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16294503
100 Healing Herbs, Castleman, Michael
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11302779
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-bilberry.html

Macular Degeneration and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Study found that reducing trans-fats and increasing consumption of fish, nuts, olive oil and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids could significantly lower the risk for Macular Degeneration.

The leading cause of blindness in people over 60 is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A recent Australian study called the Blue Mountain Eye Study examined about 2500 participants over a 5 and 10 year period.

The study found that reducing trans-fats and increasing consumption of fish, nuts, olive oil and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids could significantly lower the risk for AMD. It may be that healthy fatty acid prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries and reduces inflammation, blood vessel formation and oxygen-related cell damage in the retina, helping to protect the eyes.

For more information on nutrition and macular degeneration and related research studies, go to Natural Eye Care for Macular Degeneration

AREDS Plus Omega-3 for Macular Degeneration (AMD)

A compilation study from Tufts University, University of Wisconsin, and the EMMES Corporation researched the effects of taking the AREDS supplement plus omega-3 and reducing dGI (dietary glycemic index) on AMD (age-related macular degeneration). dGI is a numerical index given to a carbohydrate-rich food that is based on the average increase in blood glucose levels occurring after the food is eaten.

The trial spanned 8 years and studied 3,000 eligible AREDS AMD trial participants.

Looking at the risk of advanced AMD, the study found that the AREDS supplement plus higher intakes of omega-3 (DHA and EPA), and reducing dietary glycemic index (dGI) helped reduce progression of the disease.

See more information on nutrition and macular degeneration and related research studies.