High-Dose Supplementation with Vitamins C and E and Beta Carotene for Age-Related Cataract and Vision Loss

2020 ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Alan D. Penman ◽  
Kimberly W. Crowder ◽  
William M. Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Age Related ◽  
History Of ◽  
Visual Acuity Loss ◽  
Lens Opacities ◽  
Antioxidant Characteristics ◽  
Disease Study

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was a multicenter study of the natural history of age-related cataract and macular degeneration (AMD) in a relatively well-nourished older adult cohort that comprised two clinical trials sharing one pool of participants. The study was designed to determine whether a high-dose antioxidant formulation affected the development and progression of age-related lens opacities and visual acuity loss. The cataract trial showed that use of a high-dose formulation of vitamins having antioxidant characteristics (vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene) had no apparent effect on the 7-year risk of development or progression of age-related lens opacities or visual acuity loss.

Does High-Dose Supplementation with Vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene, and Zinc Slow the Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Vision Loss?

2020 ◽  
pp. 219-224
Author(s):  
Alan D. Penman ◽  
Kimberly W. Crowder ◽  
William M. Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Intermediate Size ◽  
Zinc Supplements ◽  
Disease Study

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was a randomized, double-masked, clinical trial with two components, an age-related macular degeneration (AMD) trial and a cataract trial. This paper reports the results of the AMD trial, which was designed to determine the effect of high-dose vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc supplements on the progression of AMD and vision loss. Based on the study findings, the authors recommended that individuals fifty-five years of age and older with extensive intermediate size drusen, at least one large druse, noncentral geographic atrophy in one or both eyes, or advanced AMD or vision loss due to AMD in one eye, and without contraindications such as smoking, should consider taking a supplement of antioxidants (consisting of vitamin C and E and beta carotene) plus zinc.

scholarly journals Changes in Lens Opacities on the Age-Related Eye Disease Study Grading Scale Predict Progression to Cataract Surgery and Vision Loss

Ophthalmology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 888-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maanasa Indaram ◽  
Elvira Agrón ◽  
Traci E. Clemons ◽  
Robert D. Sperduto ◽  
Wai T. Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Eye Disease ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Grading Scale ◽  
Lens Opacities ◽  
Disease Study

scholarly journals Visual acuity in fish consumers of the Brazilian Amazon: risks and benefits from local diet

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 2236-2244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Fillion ◽  
Mélanie Lemire ◽  
Aline Philibert ◽  
Benoît Frenette ◽  
Hope Alberta Weiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Distant Visual Acuity ◽  
Near Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Acuity Loss

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the associations between near and distant visual acuity and biomarkers of Hg, Pb, n-3 fatty acids and Se from the local diet of fish-eating communities of the Tapajós River in the Brazilian Amazon.DesignVisuo-ocular health and biomarkers of Hg (hair, whole blood, plasma), Pb (whole blood), Se (whole blood and plasma) and n-3 fatty acids (plasma total phospholipids) were assessed in a cross-sectional study.SettingLower Tapajós River Basin (State of Pará, Brazil), May to July 2006.SubjectsTwo hundred and forty-three adults (≥15 years) without diagnosed age-related cataracts or ocular pathologies.ResultsNear visual acuity was negatively associated with hair Hg and positively associated with %DHA, with a highly significant Log Hg × age interaction term. Stratifying for age showed that while young people presented good acuity, for those aged ≥40 years, clinical presbyopia was associated with hair Hg ≥ 15 μg/g (OR = 3·93, 95 % CI 1·25, 14·18) and %DHA (OR = 0·37, 95 % CI 0·11, 1·11). A similar age-related pattern was observed for distant visual acuity in relation to blood Pb, but the evidence was weaker.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that Hg and Pb may affect visual acuity in older persons, while DHA appears to be protective for near visual acuity loss. In this population, with little access to eye care, diet may have an important influence on visuo-ocular ageing.

scholarly journals Do Nutritional Supplements Have a Role in Age Macular Degeneration Prevention?

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria D. Pinazo-Durán ◽  
Francisco Gómez-Ulla ◽  
Luis Arias ◽  
Javier Araiz ◽  
Ricardo Casaroli-Marano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Disease Study

Purpose. To review the proposed pathogenic mechanisms of age macular degeneration (AMD), as well as the role of antioxidants (AOX) and omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3) supplements in AMD prevention.Materials and Methods. Current knowledge on the cellular/molecular mechanisms of AMD and the epidemiologic/experimental studies on the effects of AOX andω-3 were addressed all together with the scientific evidence and the personal opinion of professionals involved in the Retina Group of the OFTARED (Spain).Results. High dietary intakes ofω-3 and macular pigments lutein/zeaxanthin are associated with lower risk of prevalence and incidence in AMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease study (AREDS) showed a beneficial effect of high doses of vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, and zinc/copper in reducing the rate of progression to advanced AMD in patients with intermediate AMD or with one-sided late AMD. The AREDS-2 study has shown that lutein and zeaxanthin may substitute beta-carotene because of its potential relationship with increased lung cancer incidence.Conclusion. Research has proved that elder people with poor diets, especially with low AOX andω-3 micronutrients intake and subsequently having low plasmatic levels, are more prone to developing AMD. Micronutrient supplementation enhances antioxidant defense and healthy eyes and might prevent/retard/modify AMD.

scholarly journals The emerging roles of the macular pigment carotenoids throughout the lifespan and in prenatal supplementation

2020 ◽  
pp. jlr.TR120000956
Author(s):  
Paul S. Bernstein ◽  
Ranganathan Arunkumar
Keyword(s):  
Vision Loss ◽  
Macular Pigment ◽  
Visual Development ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Care Community ◽  
Nutritional Recommendations ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Disease Study

Since the publication of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS2) in 2013, the macular pigment carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin have become well known to both the eye care community and the public. It is a fascinating aspect of evolution that primates have repurposed photoprotective pigments and binding proteins from plants and insects to protect and enhance visual acuity. Moreover, utilization of these plant-derived nutrients has been widely embraced for preventing vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). More recently, there has been growing awareness that these nutrients can also play a role in improving visual performance in adults. On the other hand, the potential benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation at very young ages have been underappreciated. In this review, we examine the biochemical mechanisms and supportive data for lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation throughout the lifespan, with particular emphasis on prenatal supplementation. We propose that prenatal nutritional recommendations may aim at improving maternal and infant carotenoid status. Prenatal supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin might enhance infant visual development and performance and may even prevent retinopathy of prematurity, possibilities that should be examined in future clinical studies.

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