Potentially blinding organ of sight...

Potentially blinding organ of sight diseases can be treated effectively if they are descryed early on, as 11,634 somewhat old New York City residents plant out through the National observation Care Project.

As reported from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in San Francisco, offer New York City ophthalmologists inspected the seniors and unmasked 1,719 cases of cataracts; 158 cases of glaucoma; 371 cases of macular degeneration; and 71 cases of diabetic retinopathy.

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A serious inspection problem to guard against is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The macula, located in the central part of the retina, is responsible for the ability to read fine print, work with needle and thread recognize faces, etc. When the macula is damaged, this leads to partial or total los of central vision.

The usual proceeding for identifying patients at risk for AMD is to check their notices for drusen, which are white blots that appear underneath the retina, and is repeatedly found in those over 60 years of age. However, it doesn't necessarily affect vision right away.

Writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, November 9 1994 Johanna M Seddon, MD et al., evaluated 356 cases of advanced stage AMD for a one-year period prior to enrollment in the consideration Volunteers ranged in age from 55 to 80; there were 520 controls

Lower risk for macular degeneration with a higher intake of carotenoids

The authors reported that a higher intake of carotenoids (i.e., beta carotene) was associated with a lower risk for AMD. After adjusting for variables, the highest quintile of carotenoid intake was associated with 43 percent lower risk for AMD compared to the lowest one-fifth. Lutein and zeaxanthin, the couple oxycarotenoids, which are found primarily in dark verdant leafy vegetables, were most eagerly associated with a reduced risk for AMD. A regular intake of spinach and collard flourishings was especially protective.

G.E. Bunce PhD of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, writing in the February 1994 issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, says that antioxidants, similar as vitamins E, C and the carotenoids, can directly intercept and contract the oxidants and free radicals which can damage the eyes

He adds that there is significant evidence that remind ofs that these substances are able to diminish, if it be not that not necessarily prevent, oxidant and photochemical damage to the len and retina.

As protection for the observations Bunce recommends 200 to 400 IU/day of vitamin E; 100 to 250 mg/day of vitamin C; and 25 mg/day of beta carotene add tos which may help to shorten the oxidant burden. He adds that the oxycarotenoids -- lutein and zeaxanthin -- are important antioxidants and advance as light-absorbing pigments in the retina.

Zeaxanthin & lutein are crucial to the eye's center

Of the approximately 600 naturally-occurring carotenoids, zeaxanthin and lutein are crucial constituents of the macula lutea, the gold-colored spot in the macula, according to Wolfgang Schalch in released Radicals and Ageing.

These sum of two units carotenoids, he says, are concentrated in the yellow-spot area of the macula in order to interrupt or reduce damage from oxygen released radicals. Because of their golden color, lutein and zeaxanthin absorb downcast light. It seems that the fulvid pigment is there to assist as an optical blue filter, reducing chromatic aberration and thus improving visual acuity.

However, glum light is also thought to be damaging to the retina, in like manner the concentration there of the carotenoids may be to save the retina.

Schalch says that, in common study, 102 patients having acute macular degeneration for seven to 12 years were prosperously treated with 500 mg/day of vitamin C; 400 mg/day of vitamin E; 9 mg/day of beta carotene; and 250 mcg/day of selenium. This therapy halted or improved the degenerative macular changes in 60 percent of the volunteers

A suitable diet and lifestyle, plus appendixs along with regular visits to your doctor, can help to thwart many damaging eye disorders.

Health cheer stores have a variety of nutritional addition s especially formulated for the organ of sights One of the new formulas contains antioxidant vitamins and minerals as well as lutein.

REFERENCES

Barasch, Kenneth MD "11634 Call of the present day York City Helpline; Eye Physicians Treat Blinding Diseases," American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, undated.

Bunce GE PhD "Nutrition and notice Disease of the Elderly, Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 5:66-77 February 1994

Schalch, Wolfgang. "Carotenoids in the Retina -- A Review of Their Possible character in Preventing or Limiting Damage Caused from Light and Oxygen," Free Radicals and Ageing, pp 280-298 1992

Seddon, Johanna M MD et al. "Dietary Carotenoids, Vitamins A, C and E and Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration," Journal of the American Medical Association 272(18):1413-1420 Nov. 9 1994

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