Dr. Grossman’s Blog

Glaucoma is the result of damage to the optic nerve, often caused by increased pressure in the eye (“intraocular pressure”). This can happen when extra fluid builds up inside the eye (the eye makes too much fluid or does not drain well), and may happen after an eye injury, after eye surgery, or due to an eye tumor. Studies also indicate a possible link between heavy computer use and glaucoma, especially for computer users farsighted or nearsighted to begin with. Also, some medicines, such as corticosteroids used to treat other diseases may cause glaucoma.

Studies conducted at the University of Melbourne, Australia, in 2007 suggest that adding Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet can reduce the excessive intraocular pressure that causes most glaucoma.

In laboratory experiments groups of rats were raised on diets that contained sufficient or deficient amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 rich diet contained (in a 5.5/1/.5 ratio):

• Safflower oil
• Flaxseed oil
• Tuna oil

The omega-3 deficient diet contained:

• Safflower oil only

Those rats raised on high omega-3 diets had a 13% decrease in intraocular pressure at 40 weeks of age. This lower pressure in the omega-3-rich group was associated with an increase in aqueous humor outflow—that fluid occupying the space between the crystalline lens and the cornea of the eye—and a decrease in ocular rigidity.

These results suggest that increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids over time, can reduce intraocular pressures that may cause glaucoma.

Note: Glaucoma can be difficult to detect until a significant amount of vision is lost. Most individuals with undiagnosed glaucoma do not suffer any symptoms, not even a reduction in peripheral vision. Regular eye exams should be utilized to detect potential problems.

Read what others say about natural products that help glaucoma.

Resources:
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007 Feb; 48(2):756-62. Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE (NEI) SURVEY: Most Americans do not know the risks and warning signs of diseases that could cause blindness without timely detection and treatment, according to recent findings of the Survey of Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Eye Health and Disease, sponsored by the National Eye Institute and the Lions Clubs International Foundation.

More than 3,000 adults were selected randomly to participate in a national telephone survey conducted between October 2005 and January 2006. Seventy-one percent of respondents reported that a loss of their eyesight would rate as a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 (meaning that it would have the greatest impact on their day-to-day life); however, only eight percent knew that there are no early warning signs of glaucoma.

Fifty-one percent were aware that people with diabetes are at increased risk of developing eye disease, but only 11 percent knew that there are usually no early warning signs of diabetes-associated eye disease. Only 16 percent had ever heard the term “low vision.” Hispanic respondents reported the lowest access to eye health information and knew the least about eye health; they were also the least likely to have their eyes examined among all racial/ethnic groups in the survey.

NEI plans to use the survey results to raise public awareness of eye disease and the importance of early detection and treatment; it will also expand its educational outreach to Hispanics and increase its efforts to educate healthcare providers on how to communicate with patients about preserving and protecting their vision.

Stemedica Cell Technologies, a manufacturer of adult stem cells, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Lumenis, Ltd. to implement a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive clinical study for the treatment of AMD using Stemedica’s MCT (Multiple Cell Technology) adult stem cells and the Lumenis SRT Laser. The clinical study will be conducted at the Fyodorov Eye Institute in Moscow, Russia, regarded as a global leader in treating ocular diseases; a parallel study will occur at Hospital Angeles in Tijuana, Mexico. The year-long study will begin in March.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) has received a gift of $1,550,000 from Melza and F.T. Barr, a GRF board member from Houston, to fund its new $12 million capital campaign in support of a comprehensive new strategic plan. The new capital campaign builds on the momentum of a three-year campaign completed in the summer of 2007, in which the goal of $7.5 million was met and exceeded. That campaign was originally motivated by the need to extend GRF’s Catalyst For a Cure research consortium into a second three-year cycle after its startup phase. Among the top objectives in the new strategic plan are the goal to reinforce GRF’s commitment to innovative research, emphasizing the need for the multi-year collaborations aimed at funding a cure; to seek partnerships with affiliate agencies to maximize patient resources and minimize duplication of efforts and offer wide distribution of these materials at minimal cost to eyecare professionals and their patients; and to continue the financial efficiency level that allows GRF to devote 85 cents of every dollar raised to research and patient education. For more information on the GRF, go to www.glaucoma.org. Also see our discussion of Glaucoma Treatment Options.

Studies done by researchers in England in the late 90’s found that eating a diet with sufficient amounts of the anti-oxidant carotenoids such as alpha- and beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein reduced the risk of certain types of cataracts. These researchers found:

• People with the highest blood concentrations of either alpha- or beta-carotene were 30-50% less likely to develop “nuclear cataracts”—those cataracts located in the center (the nucleus) of the lens.
• People with high blood levels of lycopene (found in high concentrations in cooked tomatoes) were associated with a 60% lower risk of “cortical cataracts”—those cataracts located in the outer layer of the lens. (Are those Italians on to something?)
• And people with high lutein concentrations were 50% less likely to develop “posterior subcapular cataracts”—those cataracts located toward the bottom rear of the lens.

The study shows that a diet rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk of cataracts. So what are carotenoids? Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red pigments synthesized by plants. Common foods highest in alpha- and beta-carotene are:

• Pumpkin
• Carrots and carrot juice.
• (And for beta-carotene add sweet potato.)

Carotenoids are best absorbed with fat in a meal. Chopping, pureeing, and cooking carotenoid-containing vegetables in oil generally increases the bioavailability of the carotenoids they contain.

Common foods highest in Lutein are:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Collards

Also, interestingly enough, several epidemiological studies found that men with high intakes of lycopene from tomatoes and tomato products were less likely to develop prostate cancer than men with low intakes.

More and more it seems modern science is finding out what mothers have known for centuries … Eat your vegetables. They’re good for you!

You can also read what others say about natural products that help cataracts.

References: Gale CR, Hall NF, Phillips DI, et al. “Plasma antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids and age-related cataract.” Ophthalmology, 2001;108:1992-1998.

Jacques PF, Chylack LT. Jr., Hankinson SE, et al. “Long-term nutrient intake and early age-related nuclear lens opacities,” Archives of Ophthalmology, 2001;119:1009-1019.

Jane Higdon, Ph.D., Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, “Carotenoids—Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene, Beta-Cryptoxanthin, Lycopene, Lutein and Zeaxanthin.”

Cataracts can not only be prevented, but can even be reversed through nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle changes. Read what folks who’ve tried these methods say about products that help cataracts.

Cataracts - once considered an inevitability for the elderly and sometimes not-so-elderly, redeemable only by surgery. There’s been quite a bit of interesting new research in the last several years pointing to the alternatives and effects of different modes of living that have an impact.

1. 2008 - 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 - further verifying that lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were significantly helpful. more …

2. 2006 - Two studies show significant reductions in cataracts for those in the highest percentage of vitamin C & bioflavanoids intake. more …

3. 2007 - Dietary linolenic acid (think flaxseed oil, fish oil) intake is positively associated with five-year change in eye lens nuclear density (think cataracts!). more …

Causes?

• Free radicals are responsible for most cataracts. They are natural byproducts of metabolism. These highly reactive chemicals cause oxidation, which in turn causes aging. As the lens of the eye ages, it hardens and loses its ability to focus. This process is similar to hardening of the arteries, and is often associated with changes in the joints.
• Chronic physical stress such as dental problems, physical injury to the vertebrae or neck, or any stress that reduces eye movement and increases muscle tension.
• Food Allergies or sensitivities, particularly involving dairy products, wheat and/or soy can congest the sinuses, impairing lymphatic and veinous drainage, resulting in decreased nutrition to the eyes.
• Toxins, pharmaceutical drug side effects, such as steroid drugs, or photosensitizing drugs such as gout medications, cholesterol lowering drugs, antibiotics and diuretics.
• Smoking - the risk in ex-smokers is 50 percent higher compared to non smokers. Each cigarette also robs the body of 25 mg of vitamin C. Smokers have an increase in lipids (both fat and cholesterol) which increase the risk of severe cardiovascular disease. These factors produce narrowing of the retina blood vessels that carry valuable nutrients to the eye.
• Diabetes and other diseases that affect multiple areas of the body such as hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. Diabetics develop cataracts at an earlier age than non- diabetics. An accumulation of sorbitol and fructose in the lens can induce osmotic swelling of the lens, which will lead to the development of a cataract.
• Poor nutrition and digestion. Nutritional deficiencies, such as in poor areas of Third World countries, can cause cataracts to develop early and progress faster. In every part of the world, people with poor digestion and chronic bowel problems have a fourfold higher incidence of cataracts.
• Heredity
• Aging of the Eyes - hardening of the lens occurs as we age.
• Sunlight - invisible ultraviolet light (UV light) which is one of the light frequencies of sunlight promotes free-radical damage to the lens. The effects of UV light are cumulative over time.
• Alcoholic Consumption - High intake of alcohol more than doubles the risk of developing cataracts. More than 7 drinks per week will increase the risk, while moderate use does not seem to increase the risk.
• Too much Vitamin B2 aggrevates - Those with Cataracts should not use supplemental Vitamin B2. Vitamin B2 is a photosensitizing substance - experimental studies have shown that when Vitamin B2 is exposed to Visible Light, Cataracts can occur (or be exacerbated) as a result of the generation of Free Radicals from the interaction of Visible Light, Oxygen and Vitamin B2. This indicates that in persons afflicted with Cataracts, excessive Vitamin B2 is more harmful than beneficial.

See our comprehesive discussion of cataracts solutions.

Solutions
These are the four most important supplements for cataracts.