(AREDS) Eye Disease Study
The AREDS was designed to:
• Learn more about the natural history and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract.
• Evaluate the effect of high doses of antioxidants and zinc on the progression of AMD and cataract.
• If you concerned about getting cataracts and would like to know more about the options available for avoiding cataracts or actually having surgery please feel free to consult and review the following websites of some ophthalmologists who perform cataract surgery:
1. www.mississippivision.com
2. www.be2020.com
3. www.spindeleye.com
4. www.shapiroeyecare.com
5. www.liangvision.com
Near, intermediate and distance vision are all corrected in cataract patients with the ReSTOR intraocular lens with apodized diffractive optics. Consult with Alcon (restor)
About the study.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study involved 4,757 participants, 55-80 years of age, in 11 clinical centers nationwide. Participants in the study were given one of four treatments: 1) zinc alone; 2) antioxidants alone; 3) a combination of antioxidants and zinc; or 4) a placebo, a harmless substance that has no medical effect.
Multivitamins can help!
"Almost two-thirds of AREDS participants chose to take a daily multivitamin in addition to their assigned study treatment," Dr. Ferris said. "The AREDS also showed that, even with a daily multivitamin, people at high risk for developing advanced AMD can lower the risk of vision loss by adding a dietary supplement with the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc used in the study.
What does NEI say?
The National Eye Institute (NEI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is the Federal government's lead agency for vision research. NEI-supported research leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness. The NIH is an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
NEI, of the US National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports vision research. Information on eye diseases and disorders, press releases, ...
www.nei.nih.gov/ - 19k
The HYPE about Lutein! Preventative Eye Care
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoids that have been written about for several years now as having a preventative effect in the eye. In fact, there is a high concentration of these carotenoids in the tissue of the macula. These carotenoids seem to be acting as light screening compounds, because they absorb blue light - the most damaging light to the eye. The Eye Disease Case Control Study looked at 421 cases of wet AMD and 615 matched control cases. Carotenoid levels in the blood were much lower in patients with Macular Degeneration, the patients at the bottom fifth of lower blood levels were three times more likely for the risk of AMD.