Nurses’ Health Study and the Beaver Dam Eye Study, have found a lower risk of cataracts or cataract progression in those who took high levels of vitamin C.  Women who consumed the most vitamin E from food and supplements, about 262 mg a day ( approximately the equivalent of 3 cups of almonds)were 14% less likely to develop cataracts than those who consumed only 4 mg a day.

For more related studies on nutrition and cataracts, go to naturaleyecare.com/studies_bydisease.asp?s_num=2&disease=Cataracts

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Updated research continues to show the effectiveness of using eyedrops with 1% n-acetyl-carnosine solutions for preventing and managing cataracts. Research also indicates these eyedrops may help other eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, primary open-angle glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Babizhayev and colleagues published their study in American Journal of Therapeutics (N-Acetylcarnosine Lubricant Eyedrops Possess All-In-One Universal Antioxidant Protective Effects of L-Carnosine in Aqueous and Lipid Membrane Environments, Aldehyde Scavenging, and Transglycation Activities Inherent to Cataracts: A Clinical Study of. American Journal of Therapeutics, UNKNOWN DATE;16(6):517-533).

Editor’s Note: For information on Can-C eyedrops (1% n-acetyl-carnosine eyedrops), go to www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1831

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The number of Americans with diabetic retinopathy is expected to increase from 5.5 million to 16 million by the year 2050.  Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by complications of diabetes, which can eventually lead to blindness.

Researchers used data from the National Health Interview Survey and the US Census Bureau to project the number of people with diabetic retinopathy (DR), vision-threatening DR (VTDR), glaucoma, and cataracts among Americans 40 years or older with diagnosed diabetes mellitus for the years 2005-2050.

Study results showed:

• the number of Americans 40 years or older with DR will triple from 5.5 million in 2005 to 16.0 million in 2050
• the number of Americans 40 years or older with VTDR will also triple, from 1.2 million in 2005 to 3.4 million in 2050
• increases among those 65 years or older will be more pronounced (2.5 million to 9.9 million for DR and 0.5 million to 1.9 million for VTDR)
• the number of cataract cases among whites and blacks 40 years or older with diabetes will likely increase 235% by 2050, and 
• the number of glaucoma cases among Hispanics with diabetes 65 years or older will increase 12-fold.

Study authors stress the importance of efforts to prevent diabetes as well as to optimally manage diabetes and its complications.

SOURCE:  Projection of Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Major Eye Diseases Among People With Diabetes Mellitus, Saaddine, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(12):1740-1747.

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According to the AOA’s American Eye-Q(R) survey, which assesses public knowledge and understanding of issues related to eye and visual health, only 18 percent of Americans know that macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in adults 65 years of age and older, and less than a quarter of all Americans understand the effects of glaucoma.

This is particularly concerning as with the baby boomer population coming of age as seniors.

Source: SOURCE American Optometric Association, URL: http://www.aoa.org www.prnewswire.com

Editor’s Note: Through diet, lifestyle and specific nutritional supplementation, there is a great deal one can do to maintain healthy vision and significantly reduce the risk of onset of eye diseases such as macular degeneration. For more information, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

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An observational 10-year study of more than 35,000 middle-aged U.S. women observed the women’s use of dietary supplements and occurrence of cataracts.*

The study found significant evidence that women who got more lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were less likely to develop cataracts than women who are lacking intake of these nutrients. In fact, the women who got the most lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were 18% less likely to get cataracts.

*Christen, W. Archives of Ophthalmology, January 2008; vol 126: pp 102-109

For more related information, go to Natural Eye Care for Cataracts

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An observational 10-year study of more than 35,000 middle-aged U.S. women observed the women’s use of dietary supplements and occurrence of cataracts.*

The study found significant evidence that women who got more lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were less likely to develop cataracts than women who are lacking intake of these nutrients. In fact, the women who got the most lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were 18% less likely to get cataracts.

Archives of Ophthalmology (Arch. Ophthalmol. 2008;126:102-9) gathered from the Women’s Health Study.

For more related research studies, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

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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/index.aspx/pcms/site.News_and_Events.collegenews.parents_risk_their_childrens_eyesight_in_the_sun/

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Cross-sectional data analysis revealed a small deleterious effect of space radiation for cortical cataracts and possibly for PSC cataracts. These results suggest increased cataract risks at smaller radiation doses than have been reported previously.

SOURCE: Chylack LT Jr, Peterson LE, Feiveson AH, et al. NASA study of cataract in astronauts (NASCA). Report 1: Cross-sectional study of the relationship of exposure to space radiation and risk of lens opacity. Radiat Res 2009;172(1):10-20.

For more information, go to Natural Eye Care for Cataract Treatment and Prevention

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In the July 28, 2009 issue of the journal Biochemistry, Italian researchers report that the dipeptide carnosine shows promise not only in preventing cataracts but also in helping to treat the condition. Cataracts, which are characterized by a clouding of the eye’s lens, are a major cause of visual impairment among older men and women, and surgery is currently the only effective treatment.

Enrico Rizzarelli of the University of Catania and his colleagues tested the effects of D- and L-carnosine on bovine cultured alpha-crystallin, the major structural protein in the lens of the eye. The cultures were treated with guanidine, a compound that is known to cause cataracts via the formation of alpha-crystallin fibrils. Co-incubation of the cultures with carnosine helped inhibit fibrillation, and the addition of carnosine to pre-existing fibrils was found to almost completely dissolve them.

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  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 havested 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 flavanoids contain an unusually large amount of antioxidants. Flavanoids 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 flavanoids are known as potent antioxidants, scavaging 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 ingrediant 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. Patients are reporting good results using the formulation including bilberry.

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

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