Send us an email with your question and we will get back to you within 48hrs. For the same outcome, in subgroup analyses by quintiles of lutein/zeaxanthin intake, a comparison of lutein/zeaxanthin vs no lutein/zeaxanthin resulted in HRs of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.460.89; P = .008) and 1.26 (95% CI, 0.911.75; P = .17) for the lowest and highest quintiles of dietary lutein/zeaxanthin, respectively. In addition to lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamins C and E, glutathione, polyphenols, omega-3, manganese and zinc have all been linked to improved eye health, as well. Because of evidence that beta carotene may increase the risk for lung cancer in cigarette smokers and the AREDS formulation may contain more zinc than can be absorbed,26 we tested the effect of eliminating beta carotene and reducing the dosage of zinc in the AREDS formulation (not displayed in the consort diagram in Figure 1). Abbreviations: AREDS2, Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid; IQR, interquartile range. Serum levels of lipids, lutein/zeaxanthin, fat soluble vitamins, zinc, and copper were measured at baseline and years 1, 3, and 5 in 545 participants from a subset of clinics. The procedure is very safe, effective, and quick. Tips and advice on ensuring the success of your treatment. Eat leafy, green vegetables every day, and take a well-balanced vitamin supplement that contains a variety of antioxidants and nutrients. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal The primary cataract outcome in AREDS2 was cataract surgery, with the secondary outcomes of progression of lens opacities or change in visual acuity. Long-term supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene and age-related cataract, A randomized trial of beta carotene and age-related cataract in US physicians, The Linxian cataract studies: two nutrition intervention trials. Congdon N, OColmain B, Klaver CC, et al. The prevalence of age-related cataract is increasing, with an estimated 30.1 million Americans likely to be affected by 2020. The study population had a mean (SD) age of 72 (7.7) years. The absence of an effect of the interventions on the rates of cataract surgery may indicate an absence of an effect on nuclear and/or PSC opacities, which are the subtypes most likely to affect vision and by far the most common causes of the need for cataract surgery.3436 Nuclear and PSC opacities have been reported in 65% and 61% of surgical cases, respectively.36 Cortical opacities alone are an uncommon cause of cataract surgery. Vu HT, Robman L, Hodge A, McCarty CA, Taylor HR. Funds were contributed to these contracts by the following National Institutes of Health institutes: Office of Dietary Supplements; National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; National Institute on Aging; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Seddon JM, Christen WG, Manson JE, et al. Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Subgroup analyses restricted to quintiles of dietary lutein/zeaxanthin intake resulted in HRs for the first and fifth quintiles of 0.68 (95% CI, 0.480.96; P = .03) and 1.27 (95% CI, 0.911.79; P = .16), respectively (Figure 4). Comparison of omega-3 LCPUFAs vs no omega-3 LCPUFAs resulted in a nonstatistically significant HR of 1.01 (95% CI, 0.881.15; P = .93). Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Given the advanced age of participants, cataracts may have already begun to develop in many who had no apparent opacities at the start of the study. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the Duplicate gradings of the red reflex lens photographs demonstrated 93% agreement for the presence of cortical opacities and 97% agreement for the presence of PSC. N01-EY-50007). Surgery What does an eye look like after cataract surgery? Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of the lutein main effect were computed. NAC is available in this country, but no claims can be made for its effectiveness, so it is listed as an inactive ingredient. Traditional treatment involves surgical removal of cataracts from the eye lens. The median follow-up duration was 4.7 years (inter-quartile range, 4.45.1 years). The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2): study design and baseline characteristics (AREDS2 report number 1), Underwood Memorial Lecture: human zinc homeostasis: good but not perfect, Regression analysis of multivariate incomplete failure time data by modeling marginal distributions. In addition, make sure that your diet includes foods that are rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that can help promote eye health. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter, Cristina Sabliov, professor in the LSU AgCenter Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, holds a vial of the lutein-based eye drops she and assistant professor Carlos Astete developed to prevent and treat cataracts. Recruitment of participants was based on retinal findings of bilateral large drusen or large drusen in 1 eye and advanced AMD in the fellow eye. Of the 6027 study eyes, 1833 (30%) had an outcome defined as any cataract. HHS-N-2602005-00007-C and ADB contract No. Vitamin supplementation in a relatively undernourished population in China reduced the risk for progression of lens opacities.13 Whether there is a subgroup of persons who are relatively less well nourished that would benefit from lutein/zeaxanthin supplementation to slow the progression of lens opacities remains uncertain. Details of the AREDS2 study design described in a previous report25 are briefly summarized here. Progression to Cataract Surgery in Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Participants by Treatment (Lutein/Zeaxanthin vs No Lutein/Zeaxanthin), Effect of Lutein/Zeaxanthin Supplementation on the Progression of Cataract Stratified by Dietary Intake of Lutein/Zeaxanthin, Effect of Lutein/Zeaxanthin Supplementation on Moderate Vision Loss (3 or More Lines) From Baseline Stratified by Dietary Intake of Lutein/Zeaxanthin. Info on how to get your eyes checked with your optician. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter, The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture, 101 Efferson Hall
Because of the missing information on all subtypes, we used a clinically important outcome, cataract surgery, as our primary outcome. Serum levels of the study nutrients were balanced across treatment groups at baseline. AREDS2 is a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, 2 2 factorial trial evaluating the risks and benefits of adding lutein/zeaxanthin, 10 mg/2mg, and/or omega3 LCPUFAs, specifically DHA, 350 mg, and EPA, 650 mg, to the AREDS formulation to retard development of advanced AMD. Learn more Best-corrected visual acuity was obtained annually using a standardized protocol. *AREDS2 Research Group Writing Team: The members of the writing team and their affiliations are found at the end of this article. N-acetylcarnosine, a dipeptide found in muscle and nerve cells, can help maintain protein integrity in the lens and is being studied in eye drop form for treatment of cataracts. Approximately 80% of the participants took the study medications at least 75% of the time, as assessed by pill count. Group Information: The AREDS2 Research Group is found online in the Supplement (eAppendix). To determine whether daily oral supplementation with lutein/zeaxanthin affects the risk for cataract surgery. Of the 6027 eligible eyes, 1504 (25%) had an outcome defined as severe cataract. Baseline cataract status was comparable across the 4 treatment groups. Dorey CK, Granata L, Nichols CR, Cheng KM, Craft NE. By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Institutional review boards at the clinical sites approved the AREDS2 research protocol, and participants provided written informed consent. Participants were followed up until October 2012. Oral supplementation daily with lutein/zeaxanthin, DHA/EPA, or the modifications of the AREDS formulation had no effect on mortality. The severity and progression of cortical and PSC opacities on the red reflex lens photographs and the presence of pseudophakia or aphakia were graded at the reading center. This includes the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), which tested a formulation containing vitamin C, 500 mg; vitamin E, 400 IU; and beta carotene, 15 mg; as well as the minerals zinc (as zinc oxide), 80 mg, and copper (as cupric oxide), 2 mg, for both age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract.18 Although AREDS showed a 25% beneficial effect for reducing the risk for developing advanced AMD, it showed no statistically significant effect of the AREDS formulation on the progression of lens opacities. A test of interaction between treatment and the quintile groups had a P value of .003. Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Found in leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens, both lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoid antioxidants that have been linked to reducing the risk(1), or, postponing the onset, of eye conditions such as cataracts. Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Online Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet! The mean age of AREDS2 participants at enrollment into the follow-up study was 72 years. Near-sighted Does cataract surgery correct near-sightedness? Christen WG, Liu S, Glynn RJ, Gaziano JM, Buring JE. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported. A test of interaction between treatment and the quintile groups showed a P value of .006. Find services and support for cataract patients. The site is secure. ; Clinical Trial of Nutritional Supplements and Age-Related Cataract Study Group. Nearly all of the remaining participants (98.2%) chose to take the commercial AREDS formulation (Figure 1). Safety outcomes included mortality. The antioxidant glutathione can also help, but it doesnt come directly from foods the liver manufacturers it after you consume sulfur or certain amino acids. No clinically or statistically significant serious adverse effect was associated with the treatments. Participants with previous cataract surgery were excluded only if the surgery was less than 3 months prior to enrollment. The study examined the effects of lutein/zeaxanthin on progression to cataract surgery with data collected during regular telephone contacts and the annual study visits. Lutein can also be found in the human eye. Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice. about navigating our updated article layout. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Good sources are kale, spinach, collard greens, other leafy greens and eggs (choose organic eggs fortified with omega-3 fatty acid, which contains DHA, another nutrient that is good for the eyes). At least 1 eye of each participant was free of advanced AMD. Kuzniarz M, Mitchell P, Cumming RG, Flood VM. For participants in the lowest quintile of dietary intake of lutein/zeaxanthin, the hazard ratio comparing lutein/zeaxanthin vs no lutein/zeaxanthin for progression to cataract surgery was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.480.96; P = .03). At baseline, 2878 participants were bilaterally phakic, while 281were pseudophakicin1 eye. JAMA Ophthalmol. A comparison of lutein/zeaxanthin to no lutein/zeaxanthin for progression to cataract surgery resulted in a HR of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.841.10; P = .54) (Figure 3). A secondary outcome of AREDS2 was to evaluate the effects of lutein/zeaxanthin on the subsequent need for cataract surgery. Eighty-two retinal specialty clinics enrolled 4203 participants, aged 50 to 85 years, from October 2006 through September 2008. ; Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group. These nutrients were considered only important for the treatment of AMD but they need to be considered for potential interaction with the primary randomization. In the absence of any consensus about the importance of specific micronutrients, several controlled clinical trials have tested whether selected micronutrients with antioxidant characteristics or multivitamins affect cataract development.1117 Because of variable results, no clear treatment recommendation has resulted from the trials conducted to date. Start your 14-day free trial now and start eating anti-inflammatory today! Bilateral pseudophakia was present in 1044 participants who were excluded from the cataract analyses, leaving 6027 study eyes (3159 participants). AREDS reported that use of oral supplements containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene, as well as the minerals zinc and copper, did not affect the progression of lens opacities.18 In AREDS2, we found neither beneficial nor harmful effects on the rates of cataract surgery or moderate vision loss when lutein/zeaxanthin was added to the AREDS formulation. In subgroup analyses restricted to quintiles of dietary lutein/zeaxanthin intake, HRs for the first and fifth quintiles were 0.70 (95% CI, 0.530.94; P = .02) and 1.15 (95% CI, 0.861.54; P = .36), respectively, for the lutein/zeaxanthin vs no lutein/zeaxanthin comparison (Figure 4). Dietary intake of lutein/zeaxanthin in AREDS2 participants was similar to that of participants in the Womens Health Study of female health professionals, a highly educated and well-nourished group.27 Both the AREDS2 and the Womens Health Study evaluated dietary intake with the Harvard Semi-Quantitative Assessment Food Frequency Questionnaire.28. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands. The use of vitamin supplements and the risk of cataract among US male physicians, Antioxidant vitamins and nuclear opacities: the longitudinal study of cataract. None of the nutrients studied affected rates of moderate or worse vision loss, defined as a loss of 15 or more letters from baseline. 2013 Jul; 131(7): 843850. Causes and prevalence of visual impairment among adults in the United States. AREDS2 volunteers were generally better educated and better nourished than the general population, with higher dietary intake levels of lutein/zeaxanthin and omega-3 LCPUFAs. Vitamin supplement use and incident cataracts in a population-based study. About 7% of the primary study cohort permanently stopped their study medications but were still followed up. Dietary carotenoids, vitamins C and E, and risk of cataract in women: a prospective study, The use of a self-administered questionnaire to assess diet four years in the past.