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The leading
cause of blindness in people over age 65 can be prevented -
perhaps even reversed to some degree
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The leading cause of blindness in people
over age 65 in western nations occurs when the macular region of the
eye is destroyed.
ARMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration)
is a condition that normally affects people as they get older. However,
poor nutrition, excessive sunlight and environmental factors have meant
that ARMD is now affecting people as young as 20.
Macular Degeneration is the slow deterioration
of the cells in the macula, a tiny yellowish area near the centre of
the retina where vision is the most precise. This deterioration therefore
affects central vision which is used for reading, writing and driving.
Your peripheral vision is not affected.
There are two types of macular degeneration:
Ninety percent of people with macular degeneration have the dry type,
in which small, yellow spots called drusens form underneath the macular.
In the dry type of macular degeneration, the retina deteriorates, while
small yellow pigment-like deposits, called drusen, are formed under
the macula. The formation of these deposits leads to a thinning and
drying out of the macula. Vision loss is related to the location and
amount of retinal thinning caused by the drusen.
Drusens are believed to be waste products that accumulate because of
lack of antioxidants to clear the waste from the eyes The drusen slowly
break down the cells in the macular, causing distorted vision. Dry macular
degeneration can progress to the second, more severe type, called wet
macular degeneration.
In the wet type of macular degeneration, abnormal subretinal blood vessels
grow under the retina and macula: this is known as angiogenesis. These
newly formed blood vessels will bleed or leak. Central vision will thus
become distorted. Vision loss may be rapid and severe under these circumstances.
Individuals with wet macular degeneration may see a dark spot or spots
within their central vision due to the blood leakage under the retina.
Causes of macular degeneration
- Free radical damage from ultraviolet
and blue light from sunlight passing through the crystalline lens.
Free radicals are also natural by-products of metabolism. These
highly reactive chemicals cause oxidation (hence the need for 'anti-oxidants')
and can destabilize healthy cells in the back of the eyes. Free
radical damage is accelerated by smoking, fried foods, refined vegetable
and nut oils, most margerines, and compromised immune systems.
- Nutritional Deficiencies and Poor
Digestion. Often people with macular degeneration are deficient
in some or many of the important nutrients including essential fatty
acids, lutein, zeaxanthin, taurine, antioxidants, bioflavenoids,
zinc, selenium, vitamin B-complex.
- Family History of macular degeneration.
Drugs that can damage the
retina:
- Plaquenil (hydroxchloriquine
sulfate) is a drug routinely prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis.
It has caused irreversible retinal damage.
- Chloridine (brand name catapres)
– is used to lower blood pressure
- NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) can cause visual side effects such as cataracts, dry eyes,
and retinal haemorrhages that may result from long-term use. These
include aspirin, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen
sodium. Tylenol (acetaminophen), though not an NSAID, can also be
harmful.
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Macular Density may be an important
marker to measure vision level.
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The scientists measured macular pigment
and visual sensitivity of 27 healthy older subjects, ages 60 to 84,
and compared them with 10 younger healthy subjects, ages 24 to 36.
The researchers measured macular pigment
density (how much light the pigment absorbs) by flashing blue and green
lights in an alternate pattern so the lights appeared to flicker.
The blue light is absorbed by macular
pigment, but not green. The amount of blue light required being equally
as effective as the green yield the pigment density.
As expected, visual sensitivity declined
significantly with age.
Subjects over age 60 with
high macular pigment density had the same visual sensitivity as the
younger subjects.
Older subjects with low
macular pigment density had lower visual sensitivity than the younger
subjects.
The results show that
high macular pigment density (the accumulation of yellow compounds derived
from fruits and vegetables) was associated with the retention of youthful
visual sensitivity.
 
TheraTears
are very effective for dry eyes, and gritty or burning eyes. Use TheraTears
drops or TheraTears gel after laser treatment, computer work, or as
eyes get more dry as we age.
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| Are
you at increased risk of age-related macular degeneration? |
The
following are risk-factors:
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cataracts
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smoking
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being female
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high blood pressure
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type II diabetes
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blue irises of the eye
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don't eat enough green and
yellow fruits and vegetables
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family history of macular
degeneration
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poor ability to absorb nutrients
from foods
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you eat lots of green and yellow
fruits and vegetables
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you are able to absorb sufficient
lutein from these foods
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you take lutein in the form of
a supplement every day
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you have high macular pigment
density
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Nutritional Supplements containing
Lutein
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Pure
Focus Lutein sublingual spray (up to 900% more absorbable than tablets)
Taurine
Spray
BioCare Microcell
Lycopene and Lutein
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Foods that contain lutein
and zeaxanthin
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The foods containing most lutein are
shown first, so, when it comes to eye health, the first half of
the list is more important than the second half of the list.
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Increasing macular pigment
density by eating plenty of dark green and orange fruits
and vegetables might prevent people who are mildly impaired
from advancing to the worst stages of the diease.
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"It is possible that, by improving
protection, retinal or retinal pigment cells that may be damaged,
but still viable, could recover.
It appears that people lose visual
sensitivity before the worst stages of disease. But with the right
treatment in the best cases even recover some of the lost function,"
Dr Snodderly said.
Some people have difficulty in absorbing
enough of the right carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) from fruits
and vegetables. These people should also take extra supplements.
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Recent reports suggest that
vision loss associated with ageing may be preventable -
even reversible - through improved nutrition, according
to scientists at 'The Schepens Eye Research Institute'.
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The traditional thinking is that as
age increases, visual sensitivity decreases. But according to Dr
Max Snodderly, Ph.D., Head of the laboratory at 'The Schepens Eye
Research Institute' in Boston, that is perhaps not inevitable.
Many studies are now finding that
macular pigment in the retina - an accumulation of yellow compounds
derived from fruits and vegetables - may prevent age-related vision
loss.
This yellow pigment is made of two
phyto-chemicals, lutein and zeaxanthin, that are part of the family
of carotenoids. Particularly high concentrations are found in dark
green and orange plants and fruits, like spinach, broccoli, green
beans, corn and peaches.
"If you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables,
you will be getting a lot of carotenoids", Dr Snodderly said. "This
already fits in with public health recommendations for a wide range
of health issues - increase intake of vegetables and fruits."
And if we do not consume, or absorb,
sufficient amounts from our diet then supplements containing carotenoids
are imperative.
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