Dr. Grossman’s Blog

A recent study done at the Catholic University of Korea showed that using eyedrops containing retinal palmitate daily for 4 weeks can effectively relieve the symptoms of dry eyes and improve tear film production. 

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

Accepted 11 August 2008. published online 09 October 2008. Inquiries to Choun-Ki Joo, Department of Ophthalmology, KangNam St Mary’s Hospital, #505 Ban-Po Dong, Seocho-Ku, Seoul 137-040, Korea

For more information on dry eyes and eyedrops containing retinal palmitate, see the dry eye section at http://www.naturaleyecare.com/

A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests a diet heavy in red meat may increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne in Australia evaluated associations between red meat and chicken intake and AMD, in a cohort study of 6,734 people aged 58 to 69.  Meat intake was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire; bilateral digital macular photographs were taken and evaluated for AMD.  Of the group, 1,680 participants had cases of early AMD and 77 had cases of late AMD.

It was discovered that participants who ate 10 or more portions of red meat each week were nearly 50 percent more likely to experience deterioration of the retina.  Participants who consumed chicken at least three times a week reduced the risk by more than 50 percent.

Study authors suggested that “different meats may differently affect AMD risk and may be a target for lifestyle modification.”

Read more about food sources for nutrients that can help prevent macular degeneration

SOURCE:  “Red Meat and Chicken Consumption and Its Association With Age-related Macular Degeneration”, Chong, et al, American Journal of Epidemiology 2009 169(7):867-876.

Researchers in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin have found that risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as smoking and higher body mass index are also risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
 
The subjects in this study were 4,288 women age 63 years and older who were participating in the Women’s Health Initiative Sight Examination (WHISE).  Using a standardized questionnaire and examinations, researchers obtained information from the women on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors.  

919 of the women in the study were diagnosed with AMD (determined by standardized grading of fundus photographs).

The results were straightforward:  women who were identified as having four important risk factors for cardiovascular disease were also significantly more likely to have AMD.  These risk factors were:

• smoking
• use of calcium channel blockers
• diabetes, and
• greater body mass index.

Learn more about macular degeneration

Read other studies about macular degeneration research and prevention

SOURCE:  Cardiovascular disease, its risk factors and treatment, and age-related macular degeneration: Women’s Health Initiative Sight Exam ancillary study, Klein, et al, Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Mar;143(3):473-83. Epub 2007 Jan 10.

Lutein May Help Visual Contrast Sensitivity for Computer Users

Lutein is known to be an essential nutrient in helping prevent the onset of macular degeneration. Researchers now believe that lutein may also help protect against the detrimental effects of long-term computer display light exposure.

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition indicates that improvements in the eye’s sensitivity to contrast on a computer screen were observed following 12 weeks of supplementation with lutein.

Scientists at the Peking University in China studied 37 healthy individuals aged 22 to 30 who had long-term computer display light exposure. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group was given placebos, one group was given 6 milligrams of lutein daily, and one group was given 12 milligrams of lutein daily.

Levels of serum lutein and visual performance indices such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and glare sensitivity were measured at the beginning of the study and again at 12 weeks.

After 12 weeks researchers found an increase in blood levels of lutein in both lutein groups. The study authors noted: “Visual function in healthy subjects who received the lutein supplement improved, especially in contrast sensitivity, suggesting that a higher intake of lutein may have beneficial effects on the visual performance.”

Lutein can be found in green leafy vegetables and egg yolks. Learn about food sources for nutrients important to good eye health, including lutein.

Read other studies about the benefits of lutein for good eye health

SOURCE: “A 12-week lutein supplementation improves visual function in Chinese people with long-term computer display light exposure”, Ma, et al, British Journal of Nutrition, Published online by Cambridge University Press 19 Feb 2009 doi:10.1017/S0007114508163000.

The 73-year-old, known only as Ron, had the experimental surgery seven months ago at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital and is now able to see flashes of light, follow white lines on the road, and sort grey and black socks.

The eye known as the Argus II, which was developed by US company Second Sight, uses a miniature camera mounted on glasses to transmit images to the back of the eye.

An “artificial retina” consisting of an array of electrodes sends messages along the optic nerve to the brain.

So far 18 patients around the world have undergone the surgery as part of trials and Ron, who lost his sight in his forties due to the hereditary eye disorder retinitis pigmentosa, was one of three patients to have the device fitted at the London hospital.

As he starts to get use to the device his life will be transformed even more as he gradually learns how to use the artificial eye.

He said: ‘For 30 years I’ve seen absolutely nothing at all, it’s all been black – but now light is coming through.

‘It gives me grades of bright light to black and anything in between. I can actually sort out white socks, grey socks and black socks.’

Consumption of lutein has been linked to a reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  (read studies showing the benefits of lutein for eye health ).

In order to consume the levels of lutein recommended for good eye health many people take lutein supplements.  Results from a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association suggest that it may be beneficial to take supplements of lutein along with vitamin C.

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin gave young healthy men and women supplements of lutein alone, or supplements of lutein combined with vitamins C or E.  It was noted that absorption of lutein varied greatly among individuals, regardless of whether they had taken lutein alone or with vitamins C or E.  However, it was determined that lutein was absorbed significantly faster when given simultaneously with vitamin C.

Learn about lutein and vitamin C supplements, as well as food sources for nutrients essential to good eye health

SOURCE:  “Lutein absorption is facilitated with co-supplementation of ascorbic acid in young adults”, Tanumihardjo, et al, J Am Dietetic Assoc 105:114-18, 2005.

A team of Harvard researchers found that women who took a combination of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 had a 35% to 40% lower risk of developing age related macular degeneration (AMD) than women who took a placebo.

A group of 5442 female health care professionals 40 years or older (of whom 5205 did not have a diagnosis of AMD at the beginning of the study) received either a combination of folic acid/B6/B12 or a placebo.

After more than seven years of treatment and follow-up, 137 women were diagnosed with AMD.  Of these 137:

• 55 had been taking the supplements; 82 had been taking the placebo.
• 70 had ‘visually significant AMD’, including 26 who had been taking the supplements and 44 who had been taking the placebo.

Researchers concluded that daily supplementation with folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) may reduce the risk of AMD.

Learn about good food sources for nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin B

Find nutritional products and supplements to supply folic acid and vitamin B

SOURCE:  “Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Cyanocobalamin Combination Treatment and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women”, Christen et al, Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):335-341.

University of Liverpool scientists claim that macular degeneration could be reduced by up to 20% by increasing the amount of fruit, vegetables and nuts in the diet.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness, as individuals gradually lose their central vision due to the failure of cells in the macula (the light sensitive membrane at the center of the retina).

Professor Ian Grierson, Head of Ophthalmology at the University of Liverpool, said: “Poor eating habits have a huge impact on health in general and the health of your eyes is no exception. Eye problems such as AMD, cataract and even glaucoma can all be affected by what we eat. But a relatively minor change in diet – adding a little more fruit into our meals – can make a profound difference and can keep eye diseases like AMD at bay for up to 20% longer.

“There are of course other risk factors related to AMD such as age, light exposure, smoking and being overweight. But if we can improve the kind of food that we eat, we could dramatically reduce the number of people who may suffer from eye diseases in the future.”

Grierson recommends incorporating fruits and nuts as minor additions to what we already eat, such as peaches with ham or ginger with melon.  He believes this will help slow down or even prevent the degeneration process by increasing micronutrient, vitamin and antioxidant intake in the diet.

Learn more about food sources for nutrients important to eye health

SOURCE:  “Diet Could Reduce Onset Of Eye Disease By 20%”, University of Liverpool (2009, February 18),  http://www.liv.ac.uk/news/press_releases/2009/02/Diet-could-reduce-onset-of-eye-disease.htm

AMD associated with higher Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Waist-Hip Ratio

People with early or intermediate stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) make up a large and growing segment the elderly population.

Researchers interested in identifying preventative measures to help this group lessen their risk of advanced AMD conducted a survey of 261 participants from a hospital-based retinal practice.  Participants were aged 60 years or older, with some sign of nonadvanced AMD and visual acuity of 20/200 or better in at least 1 eye.

The results of the study showed that obesity (measured in body mass index) greatly increases the risk for progression to the advanced forms of AMD. 

In addition:

• Higher waist circumference was associated with a 2-fold increased risk for progression, with a significant trend for increasing risk with a greater waist circumference
• Higher waist-hip ratio also increased the risk for progression
• More physical activity tended to be associated with a reduced rate of progression (25% reduction for 3 times per week vigorous activity compared with no activity)

Study authors believe that the results provide new information regarding modifiable factors for individuals with the early or intermediate stages of this disease.  Although overall and abdominal obesity increased the risk for progression to advanced AMD, increasing physical activity tended to decrease risk.

Learn other natural preventative measures to lesson your risk of AMD

SOURCE:  Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Seddon, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121:785-792

A recent study shows that higher doses of vigorous exercise are associated with lower risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  AMD is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.

Paul Williams, an epidemiologist in Berkeley Lab’s Life Sciences Division studied 41,708 runners (29,532 men and 12,176 women) more than seven and a half years.  He tracked their average daily running distance (kilometers per day), their cardiorespiratory fitness, their body mass index (BMI), cigarette use, and diet.  This data was collected in the National Runners’ Health Study.

The results?

• Men who reported having AMD were significantly more likely to have once smoked cigarettes
• AMD risk was greater in the men and women who consumed more meat and less fruit
• Men and women who reported having AMD ran for exercise significantly less than those who remained unaffected
• The relative risk for AMD decreased 10% per km/d increment in running distance.  Compared with the men and women who averaged less than 2 kilometers/day:

           - those averaging 2 to 4 kilometers/day had 19% lower adjusted risk of AMD

           - those averaging 4 kilometers/day had 42% to 54% lower adjusted risk of AMD

Williams concluded that higher doses of vigorous exercise such as running are associated with lower incident AMD risk independent of weight, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cigarette use.

Learn more about macular degeneration (AMD)

SOURCE:  Prospective Study of Incident Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Relation to Vigorous Physical Activity during a 7-Year Follow-up, Williams, Paul, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2009;50:101-106.