As we prepare to enter into the 21^st century, we all should be aware that nutrition plays a significant role in out lives, in how we feel, in the diseases we may experience, and in out recovery from these illnesses. Nutrition also plays an important part in our eyes health, especially in two of the most common eye problems, Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) and Cataracts.

ARMD is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss after age 50. Symptoms include loss of central vision, metamorphopsia (distortion of images, complaints of bent or wavy door frames), loss of contrast appreciation, and diminished stereoscopic vision with its attendant impairment in depth perception.

Worldwide, cataracts are responsible for more than half of the cases of all blindness. Most of these cases are in third world countries. In the United States, up to 50% of persons over the age of 65 have some form of cataract. The oxidation of lens proteins plays a central role in the formation of age-related cataracts.

Typically damage occurs when the high energy visible blue light spectrum impacts the eye and generates highly reactive free radicals. The free radicals are highly unstable molecules which collide with retinal cells and thereby damage them in the process called oxidation. Although the eye has an inherent anti-oxidation system, it also relies on components supplied by our diet. Dark green leafy vegetables provide the yellow carotenoid pigments, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin, which can filter blue light and thereby reduce photic damage. Carrots and tomatoes provide beta carotene, lycopene, and carotenoids which are virtually absent from the retina. Vitamins and minerals which have been used in research studies to treat ARMD are vitamin C, zinc, glutathione, vitamin E, folic acid, magnesium, vitamin B6, xanthophyll pigments, and bioflavonoids.

Current research suggests that all patients should supplement their multivitamin with antioxidants.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

IN EYE CARE

Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among persons age 65 years and older. Increasing the consumption of foods rich in carotenoids, in particular dark green leafy vegetables, has been shown to decrease the risk of developing advanced or exudative macular degeneration, the most disabling form of the disease among older people. Since most diets do not contain sufficient quantities of these vegetables, nutritional supplements containing certain antioxidants, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and glutathione, are invaluable in reducing the risk of blindness from ARMD.

Medical science has now also recently discovered that certain other antioxidants may reduce the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and even heart disease.