Carotenoids

Macular edema is a swelling of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. When fluid builds up in the macula, it becomes swollen and thicker. This distorts vision. There are several causes, including diabetic retinopathy, post-eye surgery complications, macular degeneration, injury, systemic inflammatory diseases that can affect the eye, and/or vein blockages. If an eye disease causes damage to blood vessels in the retina, it can cause macular edema. Left untreated, this problem can cause serious vision loss and even blindness.

An eye doctor will direct your care should macular
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Low antioxidant levels in eye tissue are directly correlated to incidence of macular degeneration. A small study found a relationship between low intake of antioxidants and advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Macular Degeneration is an eye disease associated with aging. Many middle-aged and elderly individuals seek to prolong good vision and prevent eye disease.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

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Astaxanthin is an extremely powerful antioxidant that is sometimes overlooked. It protects the body from free radical damage. Ten times more powerful than beta-carotene, astaxanthin is a carotenoid that can cross the blood-brain barrier¹. This means it can reach the retina and macula of the eye.

Seniors need to be especially protective of their eye health. In Age-Related Macular Degeneration, the yellowish-colored macular responsible for central vision begins to break down. This makes driving, reading, cooking and recognizing faces difficult or impossible. Cataracts cause haziness and blurring as the lens becomes obscured. And glaucoma gradually steals peripheral vision due to damage to the optic nerve. A large body of research points
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The sun sustains life, but it also can harm our eyes. Unsafe sun exposure causes or may contribute to several eye conditions and diseases. It can also cause eye injuries. Earth’s ozone layer absorbs most of the ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, but chemicals have damaged it. Therefore, we must take extra precautions to prevent cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, ocular melanoma (eye cancer), and eye injuries such as pterygium (Surfer’s Eye), photokeratitis (snow blindness), and flash blindness. The sun is also a driving hazard when low on the horizon.

The body contains its own “sunscreen,” which is melanin. Dark-skinned people have more melanin and
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Several studies have indicated saffron’s power to protect the eye from the effects of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). This precious yellow & red spice contains the carotenoids crocin and crocetin, antioxidants that appear to protect the retina. Visual acuity has been shown to be improved in Macular Degeneration patients who take a saffron supplement. These supplements may also increase blood flow to the retinal area, improve light sensitivity, and reduce photo-oxidative damage.

Saffron comes from a crocus flower, and it is a popular food flavoring. These tiny, feather-light
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Middle-aged people and seniors are far more likely to develop Macular Degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy than those in their youth. It is true that some eye diseases strike the young. These tend to be genetically-based diseases, and they are rare. The incidence of eye diseases in the United States goes up dramatically with age:
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Retinal Vein Occlusion is the blockage of veins that drain blood from the retina in the eye. The eye circulatory system depends on releasing blood back to the heart after it has nourished the retina. When the vein is blocked, hemorrhaging occurs, damaging the retina. It is typically caused by atherosclerosis, a common condition especially in older people that damages the arteries. “Occlusion” means the blockage or closing of a blood vessel.

Symptoms and How Retinal Vein Occlusion Is Diagnosed

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Rod-Cone Dystrophy is a genetically-based deterioration of vision caused by damage to the photoreceptors in the eye. Rods and cones are the photoreceptor cells in the retina that give us daytime and night time vision. Genes that provide the blueprint for manufacturing proteins crucial to the eye’s rods and cones are damaged. Without enough of these proteins, vision deteriorates and blindness may result.

Much of the current research into rod-cone dystrophy is focused on genetic research. Scientists are busy identifying the faulty genes and how they function. Stem cells or other genetic therapy offers hope for a treatment and possibly cure in the future. In the meantime, nutritional and lifestyle choices may
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Lutein absorption can be improved by adding solid-lipid particles to the formula.  What does that mean?   Lipids are fats and solid-lipids are fats which are solid at room temperature.  Researchers have noted that lutein from egg yolks is more readily absorbed than the ester form of lutein. Researchers wanted to know whether combining ester lutein with egg-like phospholipids and fatty acids  would improve its absorption rate.

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Age-Related Macular Denegation is a significant cause of vision loss that can often be managed and even improved through targeted nutritional support. It affects mostly people over age 50. While the precise cause of ARMD is not clear, oxidative damage is suspected as being a major factor. It strikes the elderly possibly due to poor diet and nutritional intake over a lifetime, less efficient absorption of nutrients and poor circulation as the body ages. The care needed by vision-impaired elderly could become overwhelming. Let’s take a look at some of the newest research in preventing macular degeneration, as well as treatment and support options.
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