Nutrition and age-related ocular disease

Hannah Bartlett*, Frank Eperjesi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Use of ocular nutritional supplementation has been investigated with regard to prevention of onset or progression of age-related ocular disease. There is particular interest in the use of nutritional supplementation as a prevention and treatment strategy for age-related macular degeneration, as it is the leading cause of visual disability in the developed World. Pertinent articles on nutrition and age-related ocular disease published in peer-reviewed journals were identified, using a multi-staged, systematic approach. Reports from epidemiological studies provide conflicting evidence for the role of beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E in prevention of age-related cataract. However, several studies support an inverse relationship between lutein/zeaxanthin and this condition. There is also epidemiological and clinical support for use of lutein/zeaxanthin in prevention of onset and progression of age-related macular disease. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study reported a beneficial effect of high-dose nutritional supplementation for late stages of this condition. There is some clinical evidence for a therapeutic effect of Ginkgo biloba extract in glaucoma. Review of the literature supports an association between lutein/zeaxanthin and reduced risk of age-related macular disease and age-related cataract. Further work is needed to clarify the role of GBE in glaucoma, and future work may involve investigating its use for treatment or prevention of ARMD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)231-242
Number of pages12
JournalCurrent Topics in Nutraceutical Research
Volume3
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2005

Keywords

  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Antioxidant
  • Cataract
  • Glaucoma
  • Lutein
  • Nutrition

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Nutrition and age-related ocular disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this