The study, published in Archives of Ophthalmology, examined the association between dietary lutein plus zeaxanthin and AMD. Researchers analyzed the data of 1,700 women aged 50 to 79 years. The subjects were Iowa, Wisconsin, and Oregon residents and participants in the Age-related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS), an ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative. Food frequency questionnaires obtained from the participants were analyzed to determine current and past nutrient intake. Fundus photography obtained from the participants determined there were 327 participants with intermediate AMD and 34 participants with advanced AMD.

The researchers found that participants with the highest vegetable intake consumed three times more lutein and zeaxanthin than those with the lowest vegetable intake. Furthermore, participants younger than 75 with the highest lutein and zeaxanthin were less likely to develop AMD.

"Diets rich in lutein plus zeaxanthin may protect against intermediate AMD in healthy women younger than 75 years," the study authors conclude.

REFERENCES:
1. Moeller, S et al. Associations between intermediate age-related macular degeneration and lutein and zeaxanthin in the Carotenoids in Age-related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS): ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative. Arch Opthalmol 2006 Aug;124(8):1151-62.

The study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, investigated the prevalence of visual impairment in Americans aged 12 years or older. NEI researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including 13,265 participants aged 12 or older, between 1999 and 2002. The participants' visual acuity was measured at a mobile examination center.

The researchers found that 1,190 participants had visual impairment , and 83.3% could achieve good visual acuity with corrective lenses. The remaining 13 percent of participants had medical problems such as glaucoma or cataracts that caused their visual impairments. Findings also revealed higher rates of uncorrected visual impairment in participants who were poor, didn't have private health insurance, had diabetes, and had fewer years of education.

The study authors found that visual impairments often went uncorrected because health care was not accessible or affordable. "Visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error is a common condition in the United States," the study authors write. "Providing appropriate refractive correction to those individuals whose vision can be improved is an important public health endeavor with implications for safety and quality of life."

REFERENCES:
1. Vitale S et al. Prevalence of Visual Impairment in the United States. JAMA 2006 May10;295(18):2158-2163.

Studies suggest that as much as 28% of children may have astigmatism that causes symptoms. Some authorities suggest this number is much higher and may affect most people to some degree. Kids are even less likely to complain of visual problems and more likely to go undiagnosed. Astigmatism is caused by genetics (many babies are born with it), eye injuries resulting in scarring to the cornea, eye surgery or keratoconus (another eye condition). Contrary to some popular beliefs, astigmatism is not caused by sitting too close to the TV or reading in poor light.

Treatment success for astigmatism varies depending on whether the condition is regular or irregular. In most cases corrective lenses can take care of the problem. However, if astigmatism is severe, refractive surgery is recommended. In general, eyes should be examined about every two to four years until age 65 for individuals who are healthy. After age 65, health officials recommend having them checked every one to two years for signs of eye disease or problems. If you have any visual problems or symptoms, consult a physician immediately.

Blue light is the most damaging portion of the light spectrum and choosing similarly colored lenses will allow this light to pass through to the eye, while an amber or yellow colored lense is best able to filter blue light. Dr. Sparrow explained, "There are compounds that accumulate in some retinal cells with age and these compounds are light-sensitive. Blue light excites these retinal cell compounds, fueling the release of harmful free radicals." Even better than colored lenses, are lenses with UV blocking capability, which are usually clear and block all colors of light in the UV spectrum.

Blue light is thought to be a major cause of age-related macular degeneration which results in deterioration of vision. Oxidation is not only increased by blue light, but also by health habits, such as dietary practices, exposure to environmental toxins, physical stress and certainly smoking. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants and taking supplements that reduce the load of free radicals in the body are also ways to limit oxidative processes that can result in age-related macular degeneration.

According to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, statin use appears to be associated with reduced incidence of cataracts. Researchers evaluated data obtained from the Beaver Dam Eye Study (an observational, longitudinal, population-based study of age-related eye disease in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin). A total of 1299 people who had gradable photographs from a third eye exam between 1998 and 2000 were deemed to be at risk of developing cataracts. Upon follow-up, the five-year incidence of nuclear cataract was calculated to be 12.2% in statin users compared with 17.2% in nonusers, when controlling for age.

This is the first well designed study to evaluate this phenomenon. More studies are needed to confirm whether the relationship is causal. Patients need to weigh the risk of using statin medications due to possible severe side effects. Statins deplete levels of Coenzyme Q10 in the body, so patients who take these types of medications should supplement with a good source of this vital nutrient. Furthermore, if it is the antioxidant effect that is linked to lowered incidence of cataracts, safer ways to achieve this result include dietary sources and supplementation with antioxidant nutrients.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that the recent U.S. outbreak of eye fungus is linked to ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution produced by Bausch & Lomb. "Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to investigate reports of fungal keratitis in an effort to determine all contributing factors and/or products that place contact lens wearers at increased risk for Fusarium keratitis," states the FDA Public Health Notification. "The CDC findings continue to show an increased risk for Fusarium keratitis linked to using Bausch and Lomb's ReNu with MoistureLoc in the month prior to the onset of infection."

Symptoms of fungal infection include redness, eye pain, excessive tearing, discharge, and sensitivity to light. Diagnosis of fungal keratitis requires a corneal scraping specimen for culture. Treatment includes topical and oral antifungal medications. Corneal transplant may be recommended if drug treatment is not successful.

The FDA recommends that contact lens wearers:

1. Stop using Bausch and Lomb ReNu with MoistureLoc products and discard all remaining Moisture Loc solution bottles.

2. Consult with their eye doctor concerning use of an appropriate cleaning/disinfecting product.

3. Wear and replace lenses and follow the lens cleaning and storage guidelines as prescribed by the doctor.

4. Perform a "rub and rinse" lens cleaning method, rather than a no rub method.

5. Wash hands with soap and water, and dry (lint-free method) before handling lenses.

6. Keep the contact lens case clean and replace every 3-6 months.

7. Remove the lenses and consult with a doctor immediately if experiencing symptoms such as eye redness, pain, tearing, increased light sensitivity, blurry vision, discharge or swelling, .

REFERENCES:
1. FDA Public Health Notification: Fungal Keratitis Infections Related to Contact Lens Use, FDA, May 31, 2006: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/041006-keratitis.html

2. The Associated Press, Fungus has contact wearers groping for glasses, USAToday, April 18, 2006: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-04-18-eye-fungus_x.htm

A study published in the British Journal of Opthamology looked at the effect of smokeless tobacco on cataract incidence in rural Indians. Nearly 4,000 adults were enrolled in the study, with almost half using tobacco in some form. The type of tobacco used was compared to cataract incidence.

A total of 1705 participants reported tobacco use, 900 of whom used smokeless tobacco exclusively. Compared to non-smokers, the incidence of cataracts was 72% greater in users of tobacco, but that doubled in those who used smokeless tobacco exclusively.

When the authors looked at heavy users the findings were even more outragous. Heavy users of smokeless tobacco were 9 times more likely to have cataracts than heavy smokers.

The lead author points to the alarmingly high levels of cadmium in smokeless tobacco. Levels of cadmium in the blood were 3 times higher in smokeless tobacco users compared to non-users. Cadmium is thought to damage the eyes by inactivating superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the most powerful antioxidants.

Antioxidants are in high demand in the eye due to the constant exposure to UV light which cause oxidative damage continually. Vitamins A, E, and C are thought to be of great benefit to eye health because they provide addtional antioxidants to protect against age related damage caused by years of sunlight exposure.

Sunglasses are recommended to protect our eyes from harmful UV light rays from the sun. UV light can damage the most important areas of the eye, the retina and macula. Both the retina and macula are responsible for converting light into a nerve signals that travel to the brain where they are converted to the images we 'see'.

So the most important factor to take into consideration when buying a pair of sunglasses: Do they block UV light? Some glasses may designate that they block UV-B or UV-A light more specifically. Blocking UV light can prevent damage to the retina and protect against age related conditions such as age related macular degeneration.

The next characteristic that you should look for has to do with the color of the lens. These days sunglasses come in all color shades including pink, orange, yellow, amber, blue, and black. According to researchers at Columbia University it is best to avoid blue tinted sunglasses and instead choose a pair with yellow or amber lens.

Blue light is known to damage the retina the greatest. Whereas yellow and amber light cause the least amount of long term damage to the retina. Wearing sunglasses with blue lenses can actually filter out the other light colors and allow more blue light to enter the eye where it concentrates in the macula and retina.

Yellow and amber lens filter out the most blue light of any color shade. These lens are the best if choosing a colored lens. As well dark lens sunglasses protect against retinal damage that can be caused by all colors of light.

A final characteristic to look for when choosing a pair of sunglasses; do the shades cover a significant amount of the eye? Sun shades also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some lens may be too small to provide a significant benefit and can only be considered a fashion statement. Make sure the eye is completely covered by the lens with some overlap to block light from the periphery.

Keeping these three pointers in mind when choosing your next pair of sunglasses can make a difference in the lifetime of your eyes. Long term damage from the sunlight cannot be avoided unless you remain inside everyday. But reducing the daily assault is easy with the proper choice in sunglasses.

Researchers in the US examined the effect that glycemic index and total carbohydrate intake has on ARM. High carbohydrate diets can contribute to the development of diabetes as well as high glycemic diets.

A possible mechanism is increased oxidation of glycosilated proteins (proteins bound to sugars). These reactive molecules can damage the sensitive structures in the eye, including the retina.

The study used 1036 eyes from the Nurse's Health Study and food questionnaires gathered over a four year period. Dietary intake was analyzed to determine total carbohydrate intake as well as intake of foods on the glycemic index.

Foods that rate high on the glycemic index scale include potatoes, rice, white bread, and carrots. They are foods which are digested quickly and cause a sharp rise in blood sugar.

They found that the glycemic index is related to the risk of developing ARM; however total carbohydrate intakes is not related. Specifically the area of the eye most affected by foods high on the glycemic index was the pigmented cells in the retina.

The authors feel they may have found a new independent risk factor for developing age related maculopathy, and perhaps age related macular degeneration.

So it is not the amount of carbohydrates that one consumes, but the quality of those carbohydrates that affects disease incidence. More and more studies are showing a similar relationship between glycemic index and health.

In a recent article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(4):887-893), researchers studied more than 32000 subjects (of which 1546 women reported DES) who were enrolled in the famous Women's Health Study. They examined the possible association of dietary intake of essential fatty acids (both omega-3 and omega-6) and incidence of DES. Their results showed that women with a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids had a lower incidence of DES. They also discovered that a higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid consumption was associated with a significantly increased risk of DES. This certainly lends credence to those physicians treating patients with cod liver oil. Of course, when choosing a fish oil supplement (the best source of omega-3s) be sure it is free of contaminants like PCBs and heavy metals and is not susceptible to rancidity (which can be limited by the manufacturing process). To lower your ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, take a quality fish oil supplement and limit your intake of animal products which are the main source of omega-6 fatty acids.

Over 1300 subjects with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the study. Dietary intake of vitamins C and E was assessed using food frequency questionnaires and supplement questionnaires, and the incidence of diabetic retinopathy was recorded. Over the course of the study, 224 cases of retinopathy caused by diabetes were reported. The unexpected result of their experiment was that only supplemental use of vitamins C and E or multivitamins for greater than 3 years reduced the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Both dietary intake of these vitamins alone and the combined intake of diet and supplements were not associated with reduced risk. The authors explain that long term use of these supplements may have a protective effect or there are other qualities about these individuals that use supplements long term that may reduce their risk. They indicate that their results warrant further study to evaluate the effects of long term supplemental vitamin C and E use.

Once you have a sound, safe, and effective supplement program, consideration must be made as to whether the product should be taken with food. A number of generalizations can be made. Vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids should be taken with meals in divided doses to enhance absorption, while botanical medicines (herbs) are usually advised to be taken away from food. "Away from food" actually means either 30 minutes before a meal or at least two hours following a meal. Amino acids are usually best administered on an empty stomach, but with a small amount of carbohydrate like fruit or fruit juice, which can facilitate absorption across the blood brain barrier. If nausea or other symptoms of indigestion occur, then these supplements can be taken with food. Other accessory food factors like coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid are best taken with meals. Digestive enzymes to enhance digestion should be taken at the start of meals and dose may be adjusted accordingly with portion sizes. Conversely, digestive enzymes, like bromelain, prescribed to reduce inflammation should be taken on an empty stomach. There is some controversy over whether probiotics should be taken with or without food. It seems "with food" may be the most sensible approach because yogurt is the main food source of these beneficial bacteria. Studies have shown benefit from yogurt consumption in the treatment of conditions like vaginal candidiasis.

The time of day when a supplement is to be administered depends on the particular product itself, and what its primary goal is; to either treat or enhance bodily functions or physiological conditons. For example, botanical medicines like Valeriana officinalis and Passiflora incarnata, recommended to improve sleep quality should be taken about an hour before bed. While herbs prescribed to enhance thyroid function would be best taken upon rising as is recommended with pharmaceutical thyroid medication. As well, combinations of calcium and magnesium can be taken before bed to promote muscle relaxation. A naturopathic physician, or like minded primary health care provider, will give you these instructions when prescribing these supplements. Your supplement program will be most effective if you follow these simple guidelines.

One of the largest health studies to date, the Women's Health Study enrolled over 30,000 women to study various relationships between dietary and nutrient factors and disease. A cohort study within the Women's Health Study examined the relationship (if any) between essential fatty acids and dry eye syndrome. The results of the study were published in the October issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005).

The cohort study involved 32,470 women from the Women's Health Study. Out of these 4.7% had dry eye syndrome diagnosed by self report and clinical symptoms. Fatty acid intake was assessed using food frequency questionnaires. Relative intakes of omega three and omega six fatty acids were analyzed and compared to incidence of dry eye syndrome.

The study found that a higher ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids increases the risk of developing dry eye syndrome. A high intake of omega 3 fatty acids was associated with a lower risk, and specifically intake of tuna was inversely associated with dry eye syndrome.

The results of this study supports the previously held belief that omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and may modulate autoimmune disease. There is still some question about the overlap between autoimmune disease and inflammation. Foods higher in omega 3 fatty acids such as fish, flax, and seeds may decrease ones risk for developing dry eye syndrome. This can also be balanced by eating foods high in omega 6 fatty acids less often, namely animal meats.

A study published in the July issue of Cornea investigated the effects of strict glycemic control on refractive eye changes in diabetics. The study enrolled 18 patients with consistent blood sugars above 300. Participants were given dietary guidelines and glycemic control means to maintain blood sugars below 200.

The researchers measured auto refraction, corneal topography, corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and vision at baseline and post treatment.

They found that improved glycemic control resulted in positive changes to the auto refraction sign. Researchers also found that 9 of 18 patents became far sighted, 2 nearsighted and 7 had no change in vision. Corneal topography was positively affected. There were no changes in anterior chamber depth or corneal thickness.

This study shows positive proof that slight changes in blood sugar regulation can have positive effects on visual performance in patients with chronic hyperglycemia. Aside from diabetes affecting daily activities, decreased visual function can severely impact the quality of life of diabetic patients. Improvement of blood sugar levels from severe hyperglycemic can yield positive effects for eyes as well as other organs in the body and should always be considered the priority of treatment.

Researchers found that a decreased risk of retinopathy was associated with participants who reported long-term vitamins C and E supplement intake. Findings revealed that supplement users experienced a 50 percent lower risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, compared to the participants who did not report supplement use. However, a decreased risk of retinopathy was not associated with vitamins C and E from food alone or food and supplements combined. "The observed association between risk of retinopathy and supplement use may reflect nondietary factors or a possible benefit of supplementation," the study authors conclude.