By Shahreen Abedin
CNN Senior Medical Producer
(CNN) -- Researchers may be getting closer to an effective way of preventing age-related macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of vision loss among older Americans.
A new study found that vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid may help prevent age-related macular degeneration.
A new study found that vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid may help prevent age-related macular degeneration.
A new study finds that women who took a combination of B6 and B12 vitamins along with a folic acid supplement had lower risks of developing age-related macular degeneration. The women who got the supplements, compared with those taking a placebo, had a 34 percent lower risk of developing any form of AMD, and a 41 percent lower risk of more severe forms of AMD.
Epidemiologist and study author William G. Christen, Sc.D., of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, expects that if these findings are successfully replicated in future studies, "the combination of these vitamins might become the first prevention method of early stages of age-related macular degeneration other than avoiding cigarette smoking."
Christen also noted that although the study was conducted among women age 40 and older, there is no particular reason to believe the same results would not hold true in a similar group of men.
Christen and his colleagues examined the role of vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid in AMD partly because previous studies have shown these vitamins are known to lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid found in the blood that when elevated has been associated with higher risks of AMD. Visit CNNhealth.com, your connection for better living
The 5,442 women who participated in the randomized, double-blind clinical trial already had heart disease or at least three risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The majority of them did not have AMD at the start of the study, which lasted more than 7 years. Christen explains that the underlying mechanism of AMD likely involves the vascular system, and researchers widely believe that cardiovascular disease and AMD share common risk factors.
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Age-related macular degeneration is a vision disease common among people older than 60, involving the deterioration of tissues in the macula, the central part of the retina. The condition impedes the performance of critical everyday functions such as reading and driving because it affects the ability to see items that a person is looking at directly, as opposed to items even a few degrees off to either side of the direct line of vision.
"If you affect that central part of your vision, no one goes blind from it but it really interferes with your quality of life," explains Dr. Roy Rubinfeld, ophthalmologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
There are two types of macular degeneration: wet and dry. Wet forms of AMD are caused by abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the macula, which can rupture and bleed. The dry form is generally caused by cells in the macula degenerating over time and thus losing function.
While some treatments do exist for the wet form of the disease (including laser surgery, photodynamic therapy and injections into the eye), there is currently not much in the way of treatments for the more common dry form.
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When asked if the study results mean that people at high risk for AMD should begin taking a vitamin supplement that provides vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid, retina specialist Dr. Robert Frank of the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests probably not yet.
"If you do anything, I would take a supplement of antioxidant vitamins containing high doses of vitamins A, E, C and zinc," suggests Frank, who has no financial interest in the vitamin supplement industry. These antioxidant vitamins were found to prevent the progression of age-related macular degeneration in the 10-year Age-Related Eye Disease Study conducted by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
However, Frank does say that while it still remains to be seen whether people currently taking a multivitamin containing the B vitamins and folic acid will be able to prevent early AMD from developing -- answers which will probably not be found for several years, after a large-scale clinical trial is begun -- there is little risk for most people in taking a daily multivitamin.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Food For The Eyes
Food for the Eyes
Last Update: 3/20 1:19 pm
Source: WXYZ Detroit
Many of us plan our meals around certain foods hoping to keep our bodies healthy, but not many of us think specifically about our eyes. We have a heads up on culinary choices that can help you see better, longer. In fact, these can be called 'food for the eyes!'
Blair Carper, (worried about his vision)
"I used to be able to see things really sharp and now I don't see things as well."
He's heard carrots are good for the eyes and he's right, but they're not the only way to protect your view of the world. A recent study shows several nutrients in supplemental form help slow the progression of serious eye diseases. Ophthalmologist Sunil Srivastava says incorporating even small amounts into your regular diet can only help. One food with benefits-eggs.
Sunil Srivastava, MD, Ophthalmologist, Emory University
"Eggs do have a lot of good vitamins, such as vitamin A. Vitamin A is important in the function of the eye, specifically the retina, so vitamin A deficiencies can actually lead to night blindness."
Then there are raspberries. The vitamin C in them helps reduce the risk of cataract formation. Almonds are up next because they contain vitamin E.
Sunil Srivastava, MD, Ophthalmologist, Emory University
"Vitamin C and vitamin E have been shown to, at elevated levels, reduce the risk of things like macular degeneration in high risk patients."
Salmon or more specifically fish oil, along with green leafy vegetables, also help prevent macular degeneration, an illness that causes blindness. Ten million Americans are already coping with the disease.
Sunil Srivastava, MD, Ophthalmologist, Emory University
"Lutein and zeaxanthin are certain types of pigments that actually are concentrated in the macula of our retina, which is the center part of our vision, and foods like broccoli and spinach have high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin."
Aslo, try yogurt because the zinc in it helps the body absorb antioxidants, which also help the eyes.
Other good sources of vitamin A are cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, and mango.
Last Update: 3/20 1:19 pm
Source: WXYZ Detroit
Many of us plan our meals around certain foods hoping to keep our bodies healthy, but not many of us think specifically about our eyes. We have a heads up on culinary choices that can help you see better, longer. In fact, these can be called 'food for the eyes!'
Blair Carper, (worried about his vision)
"I used to be able to see things really sharp and now I don't see things as well."
He's heard carrots are good for the eyes and he's right, but they're not the only way to protect your view of the world. A recent study shows several nutrients in supplemental form help slow the progression of serious eye diseases. Ophthalmologist Sunil Srivastava says incorporating even small amounts into your regular diet can only help. One food with benefits-eggs.
Sunil Srivastava, MD, Ophthalmologist, Emory University
"Eggs do have a lot of good vitamins, such as vitamin A. Vitamin A is important in the function of the eye, specifically the retina, so vitamin A deficiencies can actually lead to night blindness."
Then there are raspberries. The vitamin C in them helps reduce the risk of cataract formation. Almonds are up next because they contain vitamin E.
Sunil Srivastava, MD, Ophthalmologist, Emory University
"Vitamin C and vitamin E have been shown to, at elevated levels, reduce the risk of things like macular degeneration in high risk patients."
Salmon or more specifically fish oil, along with green leafy vegetables, also help prevent macular degeneration, an illness that causes blindness. Ten million Americans are already coping with the disease.
Sunil Srivastava, MD, Ophthalmologist, Emory University
"Lutein and zeaxanthin are certain types of pigments that actually are concentrated in the macula of our retina, which is the center part of our vision, and foods like broccoli and spinach have high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin."
Aslo, try yogurt because the zinc in it helps the body absorb antioxidants, which also help the eyes.
Other good sources of vitamin A are cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, and mango.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Eat Better Foods to Keep Eyes Healthy
March is Save Your Vision Month, sponsored by the American Optometric Association, or AOA. This year's theme is to pay more attention to nutrition to care for your eyes.
The AOA recommends increasing nutrients for healthy eyes, especially for people coping with vision loss or other eye problems.
Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration are the two leading causes of vision loss and blindness. One out of four Americans age 40 and older suffer from some level of vision loss. Patient clinical trials by the National Institutes of Health found age-related macular degeneration to be a nutrition responsive disorder. Multivitamins typically deliver nutrients below the recommended level for eye health.
Having a daily intake of certain nutrients has been linked to healthy eyes and may reduce the risk of some chronic eye conditions. Intake can be either through foods or supplements. Consult your eye health professional or physician before making changes in your diet or supplementation.
Eat foods rich in the following nutrients to help protect your eye sight and vision.
Lutein is found in colorful produce such as green beans, spinach, broccoli, oranges and corn.
Essential fatty acids are found in tuna, salmon, whole grains, lean meats and eggs.
Vitamin C is found in papaya, oranges, green peppers, and tomatoes.
Vitamin E is found in nuts & seeds like almonds, pecans, peanut butter and sunflower seeds, also sweet potatoes.
Zinc is found in whole grains, baked beans, poultry, shellfish, milk and red meat.
Renee Veksler is a Guam Memorial Hospital health educator and community partner with the Get Healthy Guam Coalition. Contact her at 647-2351.
The AOA recommends increasing nutrients for healthy eyes, especially for people coping with vision loss or other eye problems.
Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration are the two leading causes of vision loss and blindness. One out of four Americans age 40 and older suffer from some level of vision loss. Patient clinical trials by the National Institutes of Health found age-related macular degeneration to be a nutrition responsive disorder. Multivitamins typically deliver nutrients below the recommended level for eye health.
Having a daily intake of certain nutrients has been linked to healthy eyes and may reduce the risk of some chronic eye conditions. Intake can be either through foods or supplements. Consult your eye health professional or physician before making changes in your diet or supplementation.
Eat foods rich in the following nutrients to help protect your eye sight and vision.
Lutein is found in colorful produce such as green beans, spinach, broccoli, oranges and corn.
Essential fatty acids are found in tuna, salmon, whole grains, lean meats and eggs.
Vitamin C is found in papaya, oranges, green peppers, and tomatoes.
Vitamin E is found in nuts & seeds like almonds, pecans, peanut butter and sunflower seeds, also sweet potatoes.
Zinc is found in whole grains, baked beans, poultry, shellfish, milk and red meat.
Renee Veksler is a Guam Memorial Hospital health educator and community partner with the Get Healthy Guam Coalition. Contact her at 647-2351.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Top Ten Healthy Things to Do for Your Eyes
Top Ten Healthy Things to Do for Your Eyes
A Guide to Protecting Your Eye Health Every Day
Jennifer Palombi
Mar 5, 2009
Controlling risk for eye disease and protecting your eyes daily is important to keep your world in focus.
How often do you have your eyes examined?
Doctors agree that people should follow a consistent regimen of annual eye exams to prevent potentially serious eye complications. But what can you do the rest of the year to insure healthy eyes? This is, after all, the only pair of eyes you’ll get so they’re worth taking care of.
With that in mind, here are the top ten healthy things that you can do for your eyes:
1. See Your Eye Doctor Annually
Medical experts urge all patients with diabetes to have dilated eye exams once per year. Pupil dilation allows your doctor to see more of the inside of your eye in order to thoroughly check for signs of disease. Yet in a study performed just a few years ago, 35 percent of people had not had a dilated exam in the previous year.
2. Get Yourself a Good Pair of Sunglasses
UV radiation is harmful to the eyes and can cause cataracts. Sunglasses with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection can help prevent harmful radiation from entering and damaging the eyes. Check with your local optical shop for a good pair of UV protective lenses. Then wear your sunglasses year round – UV radiation on the ski slopes is just as harmful as UV radiation on your favorite stretch of beach.
3. Wear Safety Glasses When the Occasion Calls For It
Whether you’re trimming shrubs in your back yard, woodworking in your garage or finally getting around to those home improvements you’ve been considering, your eyes are at risk for serious injury from flying debris. Protective glasses with polycarbonate lenses dramatically reduce the risk of eye injury associated with many of our favorite hobbies.
4. Eat Your Veggies
Your mom was right. Studies have shown that the antioxidants found in green leafy vegetables are beneficial in reducing your risk for eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
5. Control Your Blood Sugar
Stable blood-glucose levels over prolonged periods are an important factor in reducing your chance of developing a serious condition known as diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels of the retina become leaky or blocked. It occurs more often in cases of poorly controlled blood glucose and can lead to severe vision loss.
6. Watch That Blood Pressure
People who suffer from hypertension can develop hypertensive retinopathy among other eye complications. By simply controlling your blood pressure, you can dramatically reduce your chances of developing eye problems.
7. Learn About All of Your Medicines
Did you know that steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (such as prednisone) can cause cataracts? Or that some drugs can cause dry eyes and still others can increase your risk for glaucoma? Know the potential complications of your medicines and be sure to report all prescription drugs and dosages to your eye doctor at each and every eye exam.
8. Wear Your Contacts as Directed
Wearing disposable lenses too long or sleeping with contacts not designed for extended-wear can put you at risk for developing vision-threatening infections. Dispose of your lenses at the prescribed interval and don’t sleep with contact lenses unless your eye doctor expressly gives you permission to do so. Most people who wear extended-wear contacts should see their eye doctors every 6 months to evaluate the health of their corneas.
9. Know Your Family History
Some eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and certain forms of corneal disease have a genetic link. If you have blood relatives with these conditions, you could be at higher risk for developing them yourself. Familiarize yourself with your family’s eye health history and let your eye doctor know when any new conditions develop.
10. Educate yourself!
The eyes are more than windows to the soul—they’re your windows to the world. Be mindful each day of taking these simple steps to help keep your world in focus.
For more information on eye health or to find an eye doctor in your area, contact the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology at www.aao.org, or check out Prevent Blindness America’s information page.
The copyright of the article Top Ten Healthy Things to Do for Your Eyes in Patient Health Education is owned by Jennifer Palombi. Permission to republish Top Ten Healthy Things to Do for Your Eyes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Read more: "Top Ten Healthy Things to Do for Your Eyes: A Guide to Protecting Your Eye Health Every Day" - http://patient-health-education.suite101.com/article.cfm/top_ten_healthy_things_to_do_for_your_eyes#ixzz095wDmELq
A Guide to Protecting Your Eye Health Every Day
Jennifer Palombi
Mar 5, 2009
Controlling risk for eye disease and protecting your eyes daily is important to keep your world in focus.
How often do you have your eyes examined?
Doctors agree that people should follow a consistent regimen of annual eye exams to prevent potentially serious eye complications. But what can you do the rest of the year to insure healthy eyes? This is, after all, the only pair of eyes you’ll get so they’re worth taking care of.
With that in mind, here are the top ten healthy things that you can do for your eyes:
1. See Your Eye Doctor Annually
Medical experts urge all patients with diabetes to have dilated eye exams once per year. Pupil dilation allows your doctor to see more of the inside of your eye in order to thoroughly check for signs of disease. Yet in a study performed just a few years ago, 35 percent of people had not had a dilated exam in the previous year.
2. Get Yourself a Good Pair of Sunglasses
UV radiation is harmful to the eyes and can cause cataracts. Sunglasses with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection can help prevent harmful radiation from entering and damaging the eyes. Check with your local optical shop for a good pair of UV protective lenses. Then wear your sunglasses year round – UV radiation on the ski slopes is just as harmful as UV radiation on your favorite stretch of beach.
3. Wear Safety Glasses When the Occasion Calls For It
Whether you’re trimming shrubs in your back yard, woodworking in your garage or finally getting around to those home improvements you’ve been considering, your eyes are at risk for serious injury from flying debris. Protective glasses with polycarbonate lenses dramatically reduce the risk of eye injury associated with many of our favorite hobbies.
4. Eat Your Veggies
Your mom was right. Studies have shown that the antioxidants found in green leafy vegetables are beneficial in reducing your risk for eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
5. Control Your Blood Sugar
Stable blood-glucose levels over prolonged periods are an important factor in reducing your chance of developing a serious condition known as diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels of the retina become leaky or blocked. It occurs more often in cases of poorly controlled blood glucose and can lead to severe vision loss.
6. Watch That Blood Pressure
People who suffer from hypertension can develop hypertensive retinopathy among other eye complications. By simply controlling your blood pressure, you can dramatically reduce your chances of developing eye problems.
7. Learn About All of Your Medicines
Did you know that steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (such as prednisone) can cause cataracts? Or that some drugs can cause dry eyes and still others can increase your risk for glaucoma? Know the potential complications of your medicines and be sure to report all prescription drugs and dosages to your eye doctor at each and every eye exam.
8. Wear Your Contacts as Directed
Wearing disposable lenses too long or sleeping with contacts not designed for extended-wear can put you at risk for developing vision-threatening infections. Dispose of your lenses at the prescribed interval and don’t sleep with contact lenses unless your eye doctor expressly gives you permission to do so. Most people who wear extended-wear contacts should see their eye doctors every 6 months to evaluate the health of their corneas.
9. Know Your Family History
Some eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and certain forms of corneal disease have a genetic link. If you have blood relatives with these conditions, you could be at higher risk for developing them yourself. Familiarize yourself with your family’s eye health history and let your eye doctor know when any new conditions develop.
10. Educate yourself!
The eyes are more than windows to the soul—they’re your windows to the world. Be mindful each day of taking these simple steps to help keep your world in focus.
For more information on eye health or to find an eye doctor in your area, contact the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology at www.aao.org, or check out Prevent Blindness America’s information page.
The copyright of the article Top Ten Healthy Things to Do for Your Eyes in Patient Health Education is owned by Jennifer Palombi. Permission to republish Top Ten Healthy Things to Do for Your Eyes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Read more: "Top Ten Healthy Things to Do for Your Eyes: A Guide to Protecting Your Eye Health Every Day" - http://patient-health-education.suite101.com/article.cfm/top_ten_healthy_things_to_do_for_your_eyes#ixzz095wDmELq
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