The incidence of age-related eye diseases is expected to rise with the aging of the population. Oxidation and inflammation are implicated in the etiology of these diseases.
There is evidence that dietary antioxidants and anti-inflammatories may provide benefit in decreasing the risk of age-related eye disease.
Nutrients of interest are vitamins C and E, β-carotene, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. While a recent survey finds that among the baby boomers (45–65 years old), vision is the most important of the five senses, well over half of those surveyed were not aware of the important nutrients that play a key role in eye health. This is evident from a national survey that finds that intake of these key nutrients from dietary sources is below the recommendations or guidelines. Therefore, it is important to educate this population and to create an awareness of the nutrients and foods of particular interest in the prevention of age-related eye disease.
Introduction
The number of Americans age 55 years and older will almost double between now and 2030, from 60 million to 108 million (http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p25-1138.pdf).
This age-group suffers an increased incidence of age-related diseases, including such
eye diseases as cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Attention has focused on efforts to stop the progression of eye diseases or to prevent the damage leading to these conditions. Nutritional intervention is becoming recognized as a part of these efforts. Compared to most other organs, the eye is particularly susceptible to oxidative damage due to its exposure to light and high metabolism.
Recent literature indicates that nutrients important in vision health include vitamins and minerals with antioxidant functions (eg, vitamins C and E, carotenoids [lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene], zinc),1
and compounds with anti-inflammatory properties (omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]))2 may ameliorate the risk for age-related eye disease. A recent survey conducted by the Ocular Nutrition Society found that 70% of the current population (baby boomers) in the age-range 45–65 years ranked vision as the most important of the five senses, yet well over half of those surveyed were not aware of the important nutrients that play a key role in eye health.3
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), sponsored by the federal government’s National Eye Institute, found that supplementation with vitamins C and E, β-carotene, zinc, and copper (Table 1) at levels well above the recommended daily allowances reduced the risk of developing advanced AMD by about 25%.4 Copper was added to prevent copper-deficiency anemia, a condition associated with high levels of zinc intake.5 Based on these results, the AREDS formulation is considered the standard of care for those at high risk for advanced AMD. The dietary information from AREDS pointed to the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin and the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA as being protective against developing AMD.6,7 AREDS2 (www.nei.nih.gov/areds2), a multicenter phase III randomized clinical trial, accessed the effects of oral supplementation of macular xanthophylls, lutein + zeaxanthin, and/or EPA + DHA as a treatment for cataract, AMD, and moderate vision loss. In secondary analysis, lutein and zeaxanthin supplements on top of the AREDS supplement lowered the progression to advanced AMD in persons with low dietary lutein and zeaxanthin.8
Table 1.
Nutrient content of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formulation
Nutrient. Daily dosage % daily value
Vit C(ascorbic acid ) 452mg. 754
Vit E (,DL-alpha -Tocopḥeril acetate) 4oo IU. 1734
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