Age-related Macular Degeneration Disease: Exciting Discovery
The clinical trial called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study sponsored by the National Eye Institute found that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration. Advanced age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss. The study involved 4,757 participants, 55-80 years of age in 11 clinical centers nationwide. People at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD received a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc. It was an exciting discovery for people at high risk for developing advanced AMD. These nutrients are the first discovered for effective treatment to slow the progression of the disease. Treatment for advanced age-related macular degeneration is very limited.
The nutrients studied delay the progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration in people who are at high risk, those with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or those with advanced AMD in one eye already. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans 65 years of age and older. Drusen is a common feature of age-related macular degeneration. Drusen are yellow deposits under the retina found often in people over age 60. A lot of people will have drusen during an eye exam in which the pupils are dilated. Drusen alone does not cause vision loss. It is the increase in the drusen size and/or number that increases a person’s risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration can cause serious vision loss. Studies previously suggested people who have diets rich in green, leafy vegetables have a lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
The high levels of nutrients that were evaluated in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study are extremely difficult to achieve from diet alone. There was also a cataract portion of the study in which researchers found that the same nutrients had no significant effect on the development or progression of age-related cataract. The aritcle was given by someone who’s responsible for medical alarms in hospitals. And now he’s shifted to car insurance and later to life insurance.
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