AREDS II is the second of two age-related eye disease studies designed to look at the effect of nutrients on eyesight. During the first study, which was completed in 2001, researchers found that antioxidants in high levels reduced the chance of blindness. Unfortunately, the formulation studied had some problems. The second study was designed to address these problems.
One very debilitating illnesses is that of blindness. In the United States there are nearly one million people that are blind. 90 percent of the blind are older. Eye disease can come about several ways. There are some people who are born blind. This can be as a result of problems in gestation or childbirth. Others go blind as a result of diabetes or they injure their eyes. Most blindness is caused by getting old.
Most treatments that exist today are only good for a limited range of eye diseases and have limited efficacy. One of the most common currently available treatments is laser surgery; while it has been shown to reduce the risks of blindness, the surgery is very costly and could even result in complications. Although not usually severe, the side effects are quite common; some of these include loss of peripheral vision, reduced night vision, worsening visual acuity, and even hemorrhaging.
In 2001, the results of the first Age-Related Eye Disease Study were released. The study was designed to learn about risk factors and history of AMD and cataracts. One primary purposes of the study was to determine whether high doses of antioxidants might have an effect on AMD or cataracts.
The research team found that antioxidants in high doses could lessen the chance of blindness. For high risk individuals, such as those with AMD in one of their eyes or intermediate in both, it brought down the risk nearly 25 percent. One of the ingredients in the initial combination was beta-carotene. Later studies showed that beta-carotene increased the possibility of lung cancer in smokers. They also discovered that it had no effect on the incidence of cataracts.
The second study, completed in May 2013, had several interesting findings. One of their goals was to attempt to find a substitute for beta-carotene in the original formula. They found that the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin could be substituted for beta-carotene without reducing the effectiveness of this formula. People at high risk for developing advanced AMD should consider taking the antioxidant combination to reduce their chance of blindness.
One caution is that many elderly people are already on prescriptions. They often use over-the-counter medications or even dietary supplements. The high-dose nutrients in the formula could interfere, or lessen effectiveness, and affect the absorption rate of other drugs.
Laser surgery has some great effects but it is expensive and it can have serious complications. The initial formula discovered in the AREDS II may be a safer alternative to surgery. This study has confirmed that the formula of antioxidants and zinc reduce AMD risk. Furthermore, the study revealed that lutein and zeaxanthin were effective substitutes for beta-carotene. Before using any new medication please be sure to speak to your doctor.
One very debilitating illnesses is that of blindness. In the United States there are nearly one million people that are blind. 90 percent of the blind are older. Eye disease can come about several ways. There are some people who are born blind. This can be as a result of problems in gestation or childbirth. Others go blind as a result of diabetes or they injure their eyes. Most blindness is caused by getting old.
Most treatments that exist today are only good for a limited range of eye diseases and have limited efficacy. One of the most common currently available treatments is laser surgery; while it has been shown to reduce the risks of blindness, the surgery is very costly and could even result in complications. Although not usually severe, the side effects are quite common; some of these include loss of peripheral vision, reduced night vision, worsening visual acuity, and even hemorrhaging.
In 2001, the results of the first Age-Related Eye Disease Study were released. The study was designed to learn about risk factors and history of AMD and cataracts. One primary purposes of the study was to determine whether high doses of antioxidants might have an effect on AMD or cataracts.
The research team found that antioxidants in high doses could lessen the chance of blindness. For high risk individuals, such as those with AMD in one of their eyes or intermediate in both, it brought down the risk nearly 25 percent. One of the ingredients in the initial combination was beta-carotene. Later studies showed that beta-carotene increased the possibility of lung cancer in smokers. They also discovered that it had no effect on the incidence of cataracts.
The second study, completed in May 2013, had several interesting findings. One of their goals was to attempt to find a substitute for beta-carotene in the original formula. They found that the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin could be substituted for beta-carotene without reducing the effectiveness of this formula. People at high risk for developing advanced AMD should consider taking the antioxidant combination to reduce their chance of blindness.
One caution is that many elderly people are already on prescriptions. They often use over-the-counter medications or even dietary supplements. The high-dose nutrients in the formula could interfere, or lessen effectiveness, and affect the absorption rate of other drugs.
Laser surgery has some great effects but it is expensive and it can have serious complications. The initial formula discovered in the AREDS II may be a safer alternative to surgery. This study has confirmed that the formula of antioxidants and zinc reduce AMD risk. Furthermore, the study revealed that lutein and zeaxanthin were effective substitutes for beta-carotene. Before using any new medication please be sure to speak to your doctor.
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