Posted on February 10, 2010.
Age-related macular degeneration disease: exciting Discovery The clinical trial called the age-related eye disease study sponsored by the National Eye Institute found that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced macular degeneration related to age. Advanced macular degeneration related to age is a major cause of vision loss. The study involved 4757 participants, 55-80 years in 11 clinical centers nationwide.
People at high risk of developing advanced AMD have received a combination of high dose vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene and zinc.
It was an exciting discovery for people at high risk of developing advanced AMD. These nutrients are the first discoveries of an effective treatment to slow the progression of the disease. Advanced treatment for macular degeneration related to age is very limited.
The nutrients considered delaying the progression of "Advanced" macular degeneration related to age among persons who are at high risk, those with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or those with advanced AMD in one eye already. AMD is a major cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans 65 and older.
The nutrients do not cure AMD or restore vision already lost to the disease. They play an important role in helping people at high risk do not develop "advanced" and AMD keep their vision.
Drusen is a common feature of macular degeneration related to age. Drusen are yellow deposits under the retina is often in people over 60 years. Many people have drusen in an eye exam in which the pupils are dilated. Drusen alone do not cause vision loss. It is increasing the size of drusen and / or the number that increases a person's risk of developing advanced macular degeneration related to the. Macular degeneration associated with age can lead to severe vision loss.
Studies have suggested people who have a diet rich in green leafy vegetables have a lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. High levels of nutrients that were evaluated in the study Age-Related Eye Disease are extremely difficult to achieve from diet alone. There was also a part of cataract study in which researchers have found that the same nutrients had no significant effect on the development or progression of age-related cataract.
Taking high doses of antioxidant vitamins and zinc may not be suitable for all persons with disease-related macular degeneration intermediate medical reasons. For example, if you are a smoker, beta-carotene has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer. These groups of people will need to discuss with their primary care doctor the best combination of nutrients for them. It is also necessary to add appropriate quantities of copper to the diet during the use of high levels of zinc to prevent copper deficiency.
The participants reported minor side effects of treatments including:
Urinary · problems requiring hospitalization
· Anemia at a rate slightly higher, however, testing of all patients of anemia showed no difference between treatment groups.
aec The yellowing of the skin is a known side-effect of high doses of beta-carotene, which was reported more often by participants taking antioxidants.
The AREDS study is the first to demonstrate an adequate treatment for people at high risk for developing advanced disease age-related macular degeneration. The formula will save the sight of many people who otherwise would have a severe vision loss.
Source: The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health and is the primary federal agency for vision research.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration ..