But nutritional treatments could reduce related blindness by almost 35%, study suggests.
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
Healthday News
Although the rate of age-related macular degeneration is on the increase, newer treatments, using nutritional supplements could help reduce the most serious effects of the disease by about 35 percent, new estimates suggest.
In a study funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers report that as many as 9.1 million people will have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2010, but that 17.8 million people will have the potentially blinding eye disease by 2050.
“What we found is that due to aging, the number of cases of early and advanced AMD will increase dramatically no matter what,” said study author David Rein, a senior research economist from RTI International in Research Triangle Park, N.C. “In 2050, we project there will be 1.57 million cases of blindness [caused by AMD] with no treatment. But, with vigorous treatment, that number’s just about 1 million.”
Age-related macular degeneration is a serious eye disease that causes the breakdown of the macula, which is located in the retina. The macula gives you clear central vision, which is essential for reading and driving, even for just seeing people’s faces. AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in people over 65, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmologists (AAO).
Results of the study are published in the April issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
You can read the rest of the article here.
Of the Five Senses, Sight is by far the Most Powerful
Over 90% of what we learn in our lifetimes comes through our eyes. I’ve been preaching for years about the need for proper nutritional support for the eyes.
We spend too much time watching television and staring at computer screens. But environmental, genes and diet play a big factor as well.
In the article, David Rein goes on to say, the easiest and cheapest intervention is a special vitamin/mineral combination (vitamins C, E, beta carotene, zinc and copper) and when used early in the disease can “reduce vision-threatening disease by 25 percent,” Rein noted.
Our Vision formula includes these basic eye nutrients, and then steps it up with herbs like Eyebright, Bilbery, Raw Eye Concentrate to support and repair the cells of the eye. Read my article, Over Half of US Adults Lack 20/20 Vision, to learn more.