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Abstract #26553 Published in IGR 12-3
Nutrition and eye diseases
Smith RGJournal of Orthomolecular Medicine 2010; 25: 67-76
The eye is a delicate sensory organ exposed daily to bright light and environmental toxins. Light and toxins such as chemicals and smoke generate free radicals that cause damage in eye tissues. Therefore the eye is susceptible to degenerative diseases related to oxidative stress and aging. In macular degeneration, oxidized products of metabolism gradually build up in a layer underneath the retina, eventually causing retinal detachment and blindness. In glaucoma, the intra-ocular pressure builds up due to oxidative stress, causing retinal axons entering the optic nerve to progressively die. In retinitis pigmentosa, rods die from a genetic abnormality and cones progressively die due to oxidative stress. In diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar causes progressive damage to the retina. High levels of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E in the body are associated with a lower incidence of these diseases, and oral administration of these and other antioxidants reduces oxidative stress and the disease risk. Success is dependent on a sufficient level of supplements taken over a sufficient duration of time. There is abundant evidence that many eye diseases can be effectively slowed or prevented using supplements of antioxidants and other essential nutrients at high enough doses.
R. G. Smith. Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, United States. rob@retina.anatomy.upenn.edu