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Clarifying the Complex World of Nutrition Science

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Fight Cataracts and Other Eye Diseases with Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Other Nutrients

Lycopene and other carotenoids, including beta-carotene, may also play an important role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other blinding disorders. In one study, lycopene and a wide range of dietary carotenoids were detected in high concentrations in ciliary body and retinal pigment epithelium, which leads researchers to believe that lycopene and other carotenoids, like lutein and zeaxanthin, may play a role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other blinding disorders.27

Astaxanthin

A red-orange carotenoid found in algae, astaxanthin accumulates in the tissues of salmon, trout and shrimp, and other pink seafood giving these fish their pink hue. It’s closely related to carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Unfortunately, most people consume very little of this powerful antioxidant carotenoid because it is not found in vegetables.

One of the key features of astaxanthin is its unique antioxidant functions not shared by other dietary carotenoids, especially in relation to preventing light and UV damage. Astaxanthin has only recently been available as a dietary supplement, and is quite expensive. However, there is good preliminary evidence that it is a very worthwhile addition to our normal array of dietary carotenoids, especially for eye health.

Vitamin A and its precursor beta-carotene

Beta-carotene nourishes the eye’s rod and cone photoreceptors and is related to retina and macular functioning because it provides day, night, and sharp central vision, and may also act as a light filter for the eyes, protecting against photooxidation of the lens.28

Also, the National Eye Institute Age-Related Eye Disease Study found that supplementation with 400 iu of vitamin E, 500 mg vitamin C, 15 mg beta-carotene, and 80 mg zinc oxide slows the progression of macular degeneration by about 25 percent.

Grape seed extract

Grape seed extract contains proanthocyanidins, a powerful class of antioxidants that is very effective at protecting the body from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Proanthocyanidins have improved aspects of vision (visual performance in the dark and after exposure to glare) in healthy people.29 30

Although little is known of the effect of proanthocyanidins on cataract formation, a study in which rats were fed grape seed extract showed that the proanthocyanidins and their antioxidant metabolites prevented the progression of cataract formation, when compared to the group that didn’t receive the grape seed extract.31

Ginkgo biloba extract

Ginkgo biloba extract has antioxidant activity, improves arterial blood flow, and enhances cellular metabolism. It also has anti-aging properties, which may prevent degenerative changes in the eye. Several studies have indicated that Ginkgo may have a significant therapeutic value in cases of retinal damage, 32 33 34 and that it can be used successfully and safely to protect the eye from cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

According to Robert Ritch, M.D., Chief of Glaucoma Service, Surgeon Director, and Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York Medical College, “Ginkgo biloba extract is freely available and has several biological actions which combine to make it a potentially important agent in the treatment of glaucoma: improvement of central and peripheral blood flow, reduction of vasospasm, reduction of serum viscosity, antioxidant activity, platelet activating factor inhibitory activity, inhibition of apoptosis, and inhibition of excitotoxicity. The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract as a potential antiglaucoma therapy deserves intensive scrutiny.”35

In an experiment with laboratory rats in which cataracts were induced, treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract was found to significantly retard the progression of lens opacification (cloudiness). 36

In a double-blind trial involving 99 patients with dry senile macular degeneration, the visual acuity in the group of patients treated with Ginkgo biloba extract was significantly improved. The results demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract in patients with senile, dry macular degeneration with obvious benefits in every-day life.37

Green tea extract

Green tea extract has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years to promote longevity, improve mental functions, and prevent disease. But it is only within the past twenty years or so that green tea has become a popular healing tonic in the West. As a result of both historical accounts and current research, tea has gone from a simple beverage to a functional food with ample evidence of its health promoting properties.

For instance, we now know, thanks to scientific studies, that antioxidants in green tea help protect against free radical damage, and specifically possesses anti-cataract potential.38 It has also been found to protect against UV radiation.39

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid, and an important antioxidant for the regeneration of worn out tissues of the visual system. High amounts of taurine are found in the retina of the eye—especially in the photoreceptor cells—where it protects cells from ultraviolet damage, and is important for the maintenance of vision.40 But taurine decreases with age, and deficiencies of taurine are known to cause retinal lesions and visual deterioration, which can be reversed with dietary taurine supplementation.

Gamma tocopherol and vitamin E

Gamma tocopherol and vitamin E have been shown to reduce cataract risk by up to 56 percent, whereas a low level increases cataract risk and increases photooxidation.41

Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine is a derivative of vincamine, which is an extract of the periwinkle plant. Vinpocetine has been shown to improve circulation, particularly the micro-circulation in the eyes leading to improved vision. Vinpocetine has been used to treat acute or chronic ophthalmological diseases of various origin, with visual acuity improving in 70% of the subjects.25 42

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References

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    ↑

  2. Ibid.

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  3. Grossman, Marc, O.D., L.Ac. & Swartwout, Glen, O.D. Natural Eye Care; Keats Publishing, Los Angeles, 1999.

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  4. National Eye Institute http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_risk.htm

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  5. Grossman, Marc, O.D., L.Ac. & Swartwout, Glen, O.D. Natural Eye Care; Keats Publishing, Los Angeles, 1999.

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  6. Ibid.

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  7. National Eye Institute, http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_risk.htm

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  8. Grossman, Marc, O.D., L.Ac. & Swartwout, Glen, O.D. Natural Eye Care; Keats Publishing, Los Angeles, 1999.

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  9. Ibid.

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  10. Idem.

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  11. John T. Landrum, Richard A. Bone, Linda L. Moore, and Christina M. Gomez, “Analysis of Zeaxanthin Distribution within Individual Human Retinas”, Methods In Enzymology, 1999, 299: 457-467.

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  12. Bernstein PS, Zhao DY, Wintch SW, Ermakov IV, McClane RW, Gellermann W. Resonance Raman measurement of macular carotenoids in normal subjects and in age-related macular degeneration patients. Ophthalmology 2002 Oct;109(10):1780.

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  15. Shaban H, Richter C. Biol Chem 2002 Mar-Apr;383(3-4):537-45 A2E and blue light in the retina: the paradigm of age-related macular degeneration. Biol Chem 2002 Mar-Apr;383(3-4):537-45.

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  18. Berendschot TT, Broekmans WM, Klopping-Ketelaars IA, Kardinaal AF, Van Poppel G, Van Norren D. Lens aging in relation to nutritional determinants and possible risk factors for age-related cataract. Arch Ophthalmol 2002 Dec;120(12):1732-7.

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  21. Mares-Perlman et al., “Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Diet and Serum and Their Relation to Age-Related Maculopathy in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,” American Journal of Epidemiology, 2001, Vol. 153, No. 5, pgs. 424-432.

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  22. Brown et al., “A Prospective Study of Carotenoid Intake and Risk of Cataract Extraction in US Men,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999, Vol. 70, pgs. 517-524.

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  23. Lyle et al., “Serum Carotenoids and Tocopherols and Incidence of Age-Related Nuclear Cataract,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999, Vol. 69, pgs. 272-277.

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  25. Thomson LR, et al. Elevated retinal zeaxanthin and prevention of light-induced photoreceptor cell death. Qual Invest Oph Vis Sci 2002 Nov;43(11):3538-49.

    Abstract Thomson LR, et al. Long-term dietary supplementation with zeaxanthin reduces photoreceptor death in light-damaged Japanese Quail Exp Eye Res 2002 Nov;75(5):529-46.
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  26. Grossman, Marc, O.D., L.Ac. & Swartwout, Glen, O.D. Natural Eye Care; Keats Publishing, Los Angeles, 1999.

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  27. Khachik F, Carvalho L, Bernstein PS, Muir GJ, Zhao DY, Katz NB. Chemistry, distribution, and metabolism of tomato carotenoids and their impact on human health. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2002 Nov;227(10):845-51.

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  28. Teikari, J. Prevention of cataract with alpha-tocopherol and beta carotene. Investigative Ophthalmological Visual Science 33 (1992):1307.

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  29. Corbe C, Boissin JP, Siou A. Light vision and chorioretinal circulation. Study of the effect of procyanidalic oligomers. J Fr Ophtalmol 1988;11:453–60.

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  30. Boissin JP, Corbe C, Siou A. Chorioretinal circulation and dazzling; use of procyanidolic oligomers. Bull Soc Ophtalmol Fr 1988;88:173–4, 177–9 [in French].

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  32. Pritz-Hohmeier S, Chao TI, Krenzlin J, Reichenbach A. Effect of in vivo application of the ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 (Rokan) on the susceptibility of mammalian retinal cells to proteolytic enzymes. Ophthalmic Res 1994;26(2):80-6.

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  35. Ritch R., M.D. Potential role for Ginkgo biloba extract in the treatment of glaucoma. Med Hypotheses 2000 Feb;54(2):221-35.

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  36. Thiagarajan G, Chandani S, Harinarayana Rao S, Samuni AM, Chandrasekaran K, Balasubramanian D. Molecular and cellular assessment of ginkgo biloba extract as a possible ophthalmic drug. Exp Eye Res 2002 Oct;75(4):421-30.

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  37. Fies P, Dienel A. [Ginkgo extract in impaired vision--treatment with special extract EGb 761 of impaired vision due to dry senile macular degeneration] [Article in German]Wien Med Wochenschr 2002;152(15-16):423-6.

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  38. Gupta SK, Halder N, Srivastava S, Trivedi D, Joshi S, Varma SD. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) protects against selenite-induced oxidative stress in experimental cataractogenesis. Ophthalmic Res 2002 Jul-Aug;34(4).

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  39. S.K. Katiyar, M.S. Matsui. C.A. Elmets. H. Mukhtar, Polyphenolic antioxidant (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea reduces UVB-induced inflammatory responses and infiltration of leukocytes in human skin. Photochem Photobiol. 69(1999) 148-53.

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