Category: Macular Degeneration

AMD Patients Benefit from Balance Training

Patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) experience a deterioration of their central vision. Two thirds of AMD patients have problems with visuomotor and balance skills resulting in clumsiness and increased risk of falls.

A new study investigates the link between balance training and improved visual, vestibular and somatosensory functions involved in balance control. The study measured the effectiveness of balance training on both reading speed and several visuomotor functions.

The study looked a balance data for 54 patients with AMD and 55 controls. Balance training was then given to 16 patients and 14 controls. The researchers evaluated reading performance, postural sway, pointing accuracy, and, for the AMD patients, the effect of low vision training and balance training.

Result: “Even after a limited number of sessions of cross-modal balance training, the results show a significant improvement for the vestibular input and fixation stability.” Resarchers concluded that such training can be helpful for poor vision patients to maintain balance.

Learn more about AMD, including diet, nutrition, self-help and alternative treatment information.

Published: Balance training and visual rehabilitation of age-related macular degeneration patients, Radvay, et al, Journal of Vestibular Research, Volume 17, Number 4, 2007, pages 183 – 193.

AMD Linked to Cognitive Decline

Seniors who experience cognitive decline and don’t do well on memory, language, and concentration tests are more likely to be suffering from the early developing macular degeneration. Researchers found that patients with impaired memory are more likely to have AMD without regard to their age, their education, and vascular risk factors that are commonly tied to cognitive difficulties.

The researchers evaluated over 2000 patients from 69 to 97 years old, who were part of a heart health study.  Their cognitive functioning was assessed and they were also evaluated for dementia with neuropsychological testing methods.

After controlling for age, gender, race, and location, the researchers found that patients with poor cognitive functioning were more likely to have early AMD than were patients with higher assessments.  Analysis additionally controlled for blood pressure, cholesterol level, diabetes, education and whether and how much the patients smoked, as well as whether the patients had a particular apolipoprotein E genotype, and found the connection to be even greater.  However the researchers did not find a tie of dementia or Alzheimers’ with AMD development.

 

Researchers: Dr. Tien Yin Wong, and associates, Department of Ophthalmology, Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Published:  Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Cognitive Function, and Dementia – The Cardiovascular Health Study, Baker, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(5):667-673.

 

Macular Degeneration: Techniques for Adaption

Refocusing Vision | Cortical Reorganization

Refocusing Vision

Patient who develop age-related macular degeneration lose their central vision but their peripheral vision often is not damaged  The UK Macular Disease Society has developed a method to train people to use the undamaged parts of their eyes to read and identify faces. 

Patients can be taught to use their peripheral vision to make up for damage to their central vision, using “eccentric viewing” and “steady eye techniques” which means that by not looking directly at an object, but above, below, or to one side, they can see it more clearly.

The training process teaches patients  where to focus their gaze to improve their vision. The method works, not only for general vision but for reading as well – by moving the text rather than the eyes so that the words move into the portion of the gazed where the patient has good vision.

Learn more about macular degeneration

SOURCE:  BBC News Channel, April 10, 2009, https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7958838.stm

Cortical Reorganization

Not only can people be taught techniques for adapting to loss of central vision, but apparently the brain also begins to adapt.

A new study shows that when people with retinal disease such as macular degeneration use a peripheral part of their retina to compensate for their loss of central vision, their brain appears to compensate by reorganizing its neural connections – a cortical reorganization.

Researchers  used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity of patients performing tests that stimulate the peripheral areas of vision.  They found that when patients did so brain activity was more active in the parts of the brain where activity is seen when central vision is employed.

The researchers feel  that large-scale cortical reorganization of visual processing occurs in humans in who experience retinal disease.  While several other studies have suggested that the brain can reorganize itself, this is the first study to show that this reorganization in patients with retinal disease is related to patient behavior.

Researchers are currently analyzing how long this reorganization takes and whether it can be assisted with low-vision training.

Researchers: Georgia Institute of Technology

Published: Reorganization of visual processing is related to eccentric viewing in patients with macular degeneration, Schumacher, et al, Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, Volume 26, Number 4-5, 2008, 391 – 402.

Vitamin B and Folic Acid May Lower Risk of AMD

B & Folic Acid | B6, B12 & Folic Acid | Homocysteine

Vitamin B & Folic Acid

A team of Harvard researchers found that women who took a combination of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 had a 35% to 40% lower risk of developing age related macular degeneration (AMD) than women who took a placebo.

A group of 5442 female health care professionals 40 years or older (of whom 5205 did not have a diagnosis of AMD at the beginning of the study) received either a combination of folic acid/B6/B12 or a placebo.

After more than seven years of treatment and follow-up, 137 women were diagnosed with AMD.  Of these 137:

  • 55 had been taking the supplements; 82 had been taking the placebo.
  • 70 had ‘visually significant AMD’, including 26 who had been taking the supplements and 44 who had been taking the placebo.

Researchers concluded that daily supplementation with folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) may reduce the risk of AMD.

Published:  “Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Cyanocobalamin Combination Treatment and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women”, Christen et al, Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):335-341.

Folic Acid, Vitamins B6 & B12

Researchers reviewed data from the “Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study,” looking specifically at vision information. They found that supplementation with a combination of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 lowered the risk of age related macular degeneration in women who also have cardiovascular disease.

Scientists have known that these 3 B family vitamins reduce high homocysteine levels, a risk factor for conditions of the vascular system, including advanced macular degeneration.

The study looked at data for over 8,000 age 40 or older female medical professionals  who had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or who had a minimum of 3 risk factors for development of macular degeneration.  In a secondary trial they randomly received vitamin C daily, vitamin E every other day, and beta-carotene (every other day) or a placebo.

About 5,400 of these women were part of a later trial in which they received a placebo or a combination of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 or a placebo daily.  About 200 of these women had previously been diagnosed with macular degeneration.  Results were both self-reported, confirmed by medical records, and diagnosed as macular degeneration with vision reduced to 20/30 or lower due to the condition.

The researchers determined that 137 macular degeneration cases occurred over approximately 7 years of treatment and followup. There were 55 incidences in the group receiving treatment and 82 occurences in the placebo group.  The results for patients with macular degeneration and 20/30 or worse vision loss, there were 26 incidences in the B vitamins sub-group, and 43 cases in the placebo sub-group.

The researchers determined that women who take supplement B vitamins are 34 percent less likely to experience macular degeneration, and 40 percent less likely to experience vision loss as a result.

The researchers noted that although high doses of  B vitamins were tested, lower doses may well have been effective.  Another study looking at cardiovascular disease found that homocysteine decrease if proportional to the dose of folic acid only up to 800 mcg daily while excessive amounts of folic acid have been tied to colorectal tumors.

Researchers: Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the National Eye Institute

References :
Christen WG, et al. Folic acid plus B-vitamins and age-related macular degeneration in a randomized trial in women. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 48:E-abstract 1152, ARVO, 2007.
Wald DS, et al. Randomized trial of folic acid supplementation and serum homocysteine levels. Archives of Internal Medicine 161:695-700, 2001.

Homocysteine

Homocysteine, an amino acid believed to contribute to heart attack, stroke and dementia, may also play a role in retinal damage and vision loss.  Homocysteine levels rise when folic acid levels drop, a common problem for Americans whose diets are often poor in folate-rich fruits, tomatoes, vegetables and grains.

Researchers are looking at homocysteine levels upon the retina to find out exactly what happens in this vast and delicate network.  Looking at retina photos, one can see that the structure of the retina is damaged significantly in patients with high levels of homocysteine.

Folic acid and vitamin B12 convert homocysteine to methionine, an amino acid essential to protein synthesis.  People need only about 1 mcg  of vitamin B12 daily.  The source of B12 is microorganisms that are common in the gastrointestinal system of animals. Strict vegetarians are typically the only Americans who have problems with B12 deficiency, he says. People need about 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Pregnant women as well as those trying to become pregnant need at least double that.

Researchers are investigating several mice models and will control their diets to raise and lower folic acid levels to see what happens to homocysteine and the retina:

  • a model  with slightly raised homocysteine levels that behave like a human diet deficient in folic acid –  this model that also has diabetes, which goes along with cardiovascular disease and diabetic retinopathy;
  • a model of the rare genetic defect that results in extraordinarily high homocysteine levels.

The scientists believe that continual raised homocysteine levels will damage the normal functioning of the retina and degrade the retinal tissue, a situation that is worsened by diabetes.

Researchers: Dr. Sylvia Smith, cell biologist, and Dr. Vadivel Ganapathy, Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia

Published:  Medical College of Georgia, “Impact of elevated homocysteine levels on vision under study,” Oct. 15, 2007.

B & Folic Acid | B6, B12 & Folic Acid | Homocysteine

 

Obesity Increases Risk of Macular Degeneration

AMD associated with higher Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Waist-Hip Ratio

People with early or intermediate stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) make up a large and growing segment the elderly population.

Researchers interested in identifying preventative measures to help this group lessen their risk of advanced AMD conducted a survey of 261 participants from a hospital-based retinal practice.  Participants were aged 60 years or older, with some sign of nonadvanced AMD and visual acuity of 20/200 or better in at least 1 eye.

The results of the study showed that obesity (measured in body mass index) greatly increases the risk for progression to the advanced forms of AMD. 

In addition:

  • Higher waist circumference was associated with a 2-fold increased risk for progression, with a significant trend for increasing risk with a greater waist circumference
  • Higher waist-hip ratio also increased the risk for progression
  • More physical activity tended to be associated with a reduced rate of progression (25% reduction for 3 times per week vigorous activity compared with no activity)

Study authors believe that the results provide new information regarding modifiable factors for individuals with the early or intermediate stages of this disease.  Although overall and abdominal obesity increased the risk for progression to advanced AMD, increasing physical activity tended to decrease risk.

Learn other natural preventative measures to lesson your risk of AMD

SOURCE:  Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Seddon, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121:785-792

Cataract Surgery Does Not Increase Risk of AMD

Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are both leading causes of blindness in the United States, but scientists have been uncertain if the two diseases may be linked. Researchers have just completed a study to assess the risk of developing AMD after cataract surgery.

4,477 participants in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a multicenter, controlled, randomized clinical trial were assessed every six months for at least five years.

Emily Y. Chew, MD, of the National Eye Institute and her colleagues evaluated the data and compared the risk of AMD in participants who had cataracts removed with those who have not had the surgery.

Their conclusions? The AREDS results showed no clear effect of cataract surgery on the risk of progression to advanced AMD, which may reassure patients with AMD who are considering cataract surgery.

Learn more about natural care and treatment of AMD and cataracts

SOURCE: Risk of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration after Cataract Surgery in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study: AREDS Report 25, Chew et al, Ophthalmology – February 2009 (Vol. 116, Issue 2, Pages 297-303.

Meso-Zeaxanthin Aids Eyes

Lutein and zeaxanthin have been well researched as being essential nutrients in both helping to prevent the onset of macular degeneration as well as helping protect vision for those with macular degeneration. People with macular degeneration have been shown to have reduced macular pigment optical density (MPOD).

Meso-zeaxanthin is the third major carotenoid found in macular pigment (along with lutein and zeaxanthin).

A new study showed that supplementation of gelcaps containing mostly mesozeaxanthin (along with some lutein and zeaxanthin) resulted in increased blood serum levels of all three carotenoids during the 120 day study supplementation period, and was effective in increasing macular pigment optical density (MPOD).

Ref: Florida International University (Nutr Metab. 2007;4:12)

Another study substantiates the value of supplementing with mesozeaxanthin.

Nutrition & Metabolism 2007, 4:12

See more information on macular degeneration and mesozeaxanthin.

Antioxidant-Rich Diet May Protect Against Eye Disease

FRIDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) — Eating plenty of antioxidant-rich food such as blueberries, artichokes and pecans may help protect against macular degeneration, the leading cause of age-related blindness in the United States and other developed countries.

U.S. researchers found that antioxidants disrupt a link between two processes in the retina that, in combination, contribute to macular degeneration. Antioxidants also extend the lifetime of irreplaceable photoreceptors and other retinal cells.

The “destructive synergy” that causes macular degeneration occurs when a buildup of a compound called A2E disrupts energy production in mitochondria, the “power plants” in cells, the researchers said. The lack of energy interferes with daily cleaning and maintenance of photoreceptors and another type of retinal cell. This leads to more buildup of A2E and a continuing cycle that results in the destruction of the vital visual cells that can’t be replaced.

Experiments using visual cells from humans, rats and cows showed that antioxidants could completely counter the damage caused by this process, said the researchers from Brigham Young University and Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

“The implication is that people at risk of macular degeneration could help prevent the disease by consuming antioxidants,” study author Heidi Vollmer-Snarr, a Brigham Young chemist, said in a university news release.

The study was published online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

“This work by Dr. Vollmer-Snarr and colleagues ties these two damaging processes together and demonstrates the harm they cause in combination is much more than would be expected,” Dr. Paul Bernstein, of the University of Utah’s Moran Eye Center, said in the news release. “This new knowledge,” added Bernstein, who wasn’t involved in the study, “suggests the possibility of interventions which could prove to be powerful ways to prevent or delay age-related macular degeneration.”

For more related studies, go to the “Research” section as www.naturaleyecare.com

Sunlight and lack of antioxidants increases risk of age-related eye disease

It is generally accepted among health providers that sunlight, blue light in the visible spectrum, are contributing factors to the development of macular degeneration – and use of wrap around sunglasses, amber in color, is the foremost recommendation for macular degeneration patients.

Researchers have further determined that blue light entering the eye combined with low levels of blood antioxidants heightens the risk. They measured vitamin E & C levels in the blood of over 4,700 elderly patients (average age 73 years), took pictures of their retinas, and reviewed questionnaires they had filled out including sun exposure.

The researchers found that 2% of the patients had advanced macular degeneration, and half had early AMD. They also found that the patients who had exposure to sunlight (including blue light) alone were not more likely to develop AMD, but those who had both blue light exposure and low levels of antioxidants (zeaxanthin, vitamin E, and vitamin C) were 3.7 time as likely to develop advanced macular degeneration.

The researchers’ conclusion was that both sunglasses protection and key antioxidants in the diet is necessary to prevent macular degeneration.

Editor’s Note:  We recommend amber tinted sunglasses, which most effectively block blue light and which are also UV resistant.  Wrap around glasses are best.

Published:

1. Nutrition, Sensory on Thu October 16, 2008

2. Fletcher AE, Bentham GC, Agnew M.Sunlight Exposure, Antioxidants, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126:1396-1403.

Researchers: Astrid E. Fletcher, PhD, of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and associates.

For more related studies, see the “Research” section at www.naturaleyecare.com

Juicing Tips – What combinations of fruits & vegetables would be best to juice?

Overview | Enzymes | Recipes

Juicing Tips

We consider daily juicing of primarily organic vegetables and fruits to be an essential part of any long term healing program. Juicing provides a highly effective and efficient way for the body to be able to absorb essential nutrients into the blood and cells, taking a little as a few minutes for the body to start utilizing these nutrients.

Why is juicing so important?

    1. What are enzymes? The basic key to the efficacy of nourishing your body is the life present in food and of those intangible elements known as enzymes.  
    2. Why not just eat fruits and vegetables for our essential nutrients? Solid food requires many hours of digestive activity before its nourishment is finally available to the cells and tissues of the body. 
    3. Can juicing prevent disease? Many studies point out that a diet high in fruits and vegetables does in fact reduce the incidents of serious disease.
    4. Do vegetables contain protein? Although fruits and vegetables do not contain large quantities of protein, their juice can be a convenient carrier.
    5. What are phytochemicals? They are substances in plants that are linked to good health and to prevention of specific diseases. They are found only in fruits and vegetables, and juicing is a great way to get them.
    6. How much juice can be taken safely? As much as one can drink comfortably without forcing oneself. Recommended amount of juice per day is at least 1 pint per day. Some healing centers actually do 2-8 pints per day for therapeutic purposes.
    7. Can I store the juice I make? Juices should generally be drunk when prepared, since certain enzymes and vitamins break down pretty quickly in sunlight.
    8. What combinations of fruits and vegetables would be best to juice? There are many different recipes  See more info …, but in general at least 50-75% of the juicing should consist of greens (spinach, kale, chard, parsley, dandelion, watercress, broccoli, etc.)
    9. Can I still continue to eat fast food and sugar products? These should be kept to an absolute minimum as they use our precious resources to breakdown and digest, offering little in the way of healthy nutrients.
    10. Should I use only organic products? In general, yes. By juicing all non-organic products, we stand the chance of taking in concentrated amounts of pesticides used on the plants, thereby negating the value of daily juicing.
    11. What juicer should I use? There are a number of excellent juicers.  We like the pulp extracting omega juicers that juice without generating heat that can destroy some of the essential nutrients. At 80 RPM (most juicers work at 3600 RPM and higher), it essentially masticates the fruits and vegetables slowly, preserving the most nutrients possible. The disadvantage is that the process is a little slower, and cleaning takes a couple of more minutes.

What are enzymes?

The basic key to the efficacy of nourishing your body is the life present in food and of those intangible elements known as enzymes. Enzymes are complex substances that enable us to digest food and absorb it into our blood. They are the body’s ‘working force’ that act as catalysts for many essential life functions, such as separating the nitrogen from the air we breath, so we may absorb the oxygen. They act as catalysts in probably millions of chemical reactions that take place throughout the body. They are essential for the digestion and absorption of the food we eat and drink … for conversion of food to body tissue, and for the production of energy at the cellular level.

Enzymes become sluggish at cooking temperatures above 118 degrees, and are destroyed at temperatures above 130 degrees (microwaves completely destroy enzymes in your food).
Fresh juices are a wonderful source of enzymes. Food which has been cooked at temperatures above 118 simply don’t have the properly functioning enzymes to allow you to enjoy the full benefits of their nutrients.

Why not just eat fruits and vegetables for our essential nutrients?

Solid food requires many hours of digestive activity before its nourishment is finally available to the cells and tissues of the body. While fibers in foods are essential for helping cleanse our digestive tract, the removal of fibers in the extraction of juices allows essential nutrients to be absorbed within minutes instead of hours, and with little effort by our body.

Do vegetables contain protein?

Although fruits and vegetables do not contain large quantities of protein, their juice can be a convenient carrier. Simply add some brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, or whole grains to whatever you’re juicing. These give you protein without the fat that meat contains, and protein that is quickly and easily absorbed by the body.

What to Juice?

There are many different recipes but in general at least 50-75% of the juicing should consist of greens: spinach, kale, chard, parsley, dandelion, watercress, broccoli, etc.

Sample Juicing Recipes for Specific Eye Conditions

Cataracts, Conjunctivitis
We recommend carrot, spinach, celery, endive, parsley, blueberry, apple – not too much fruit.

Glaucoma
We recommend celery, carrots, cucumber, radish, turnip, parsley, beets, cabbage, raspberries, plums, apple (not too much fruit).

Macular Degeneration
We recommend broccoli, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, apples, raspberries, leafy greens

Best’s Disease

We recommend daily juicing of vegetables and fruits (preferably organic) – some combination of the following: ginger, garlic, leeks, parsley, beets, cabbage, carrots, celery, spinach, apples, grapes, raspberries, lemon, chlorophyll, wheat grasses (not too much fruit). See the discussion of best’s disease for other points

Optic Neuritis

We recommend: ginger, parsley, beets, cabbage, carrots, endive, chlorophyll, wheat grasses, berries (all organic preferably)

Other Conditions

Peptic Ulcers – cabbage juice promotes rapid healing of patients with peptic ulcers

Urinary Tract Infections – cranberry juice is well known to help with bladder and urinary tract infections

Heart Disease – also well known is the beneficial effect of pomegranate juice. Antioxidants (compounds that limit cell damage by fighting free radicals) contained in pomegranate juice may help reduce the formation of fatty deposits on artery walls. The antioxidant level in pomegranate juice was found to be higher than that in other natural juices, such as blueberry, cranberry, and orange juices.

Resources
N.W. Walker, D.Sc. “Fresh Vegetable and Fruit Juices: what’s missing in your body?”
Michael T. Murray, N.D. “The Complete Book of Juicing”

Paul Pitchford, N.D. “Healing with Whole Foods”

Research on peptic ulcers & cabbage juice
Research on UTI & cranberry juice