Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness over 65 years of age. Some researchers have suggested that when the retina absorbs  light, free radicals are produced that may lead to oxidative damage and, eventually, blindness. Nutrition is  one promising means of protecting the eyes from AMD.  Vitamins  C and E, beta-carotene and the mineral zinc, have been found to protect our eyes against AMD and the loss of vision that  may  result from  it. Lutein and zeaxanthin which are antioxidants and the only carotenoids located in the eye, will also protect our eyes from this disease

Cataract

Another  degenerative  scourge  in  the  eye  is cataract,  the  clouding  of  the  eye’s  lens,  resulting  in  low vision. It is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and pulls the dark curtain over the eyes of some 3.8 million Indians every  year, according to the WHO/NPCB (National Programme for  Control of  Blindness) survey.  Here again,  the  antioxidants step front and center,  although not  without some debate,  such as Vitamin C and E.

Diabetic  retinopathy  is a well-recognized complication  of  diabetes mellitus. In India More than 75% of diabetic patients  within 15 to 20 years  of  its diagnosis suffer from retinopathy. It is caused by  long term exposure of retina and macula to the high glucose level which can damage macula capillaries and small blood vessels. Supplements with antioxidant and blood glucose control by  diabetic diet are the mainstay of prevention of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.

Avail  the  service  of  nutrition  counseling  and  learn  more  about  the  impact  of  nutrition  on  your  overall health.  If  you  are  diabetic,  hypertensive  or  obese  then  you  are  at  greater  risk  for  developing  vision problems.

Nutrition and low vision  rehabilitation  are  the only  non-surgical interventions  currently  available for  the majority of people with above stated age-related vision loss.