John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

Last week we discussed macular degeneration and today the other common eye diseases of cataracts and glaucoma.

Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of the eye. If the lens becomes cloudy, the image becomes disturbed and our brain will interpret that as blurred sight. Cataracts are a part of aging and if we live long enough most people will develop cataracts.

Research by Babizhaev, MA, (Am J Ther, 2010) and Brennan, LA, (Exp Eye Res, 2009) confirmed that controlling free radical damage to the lens is the key to preventing cataracts and other eye diseases. They identified that free radical damage to lens proteins causes cataracts to form and suggested targeted antioxidant therapy. The proteins in the lens are essentially not regenerated and by the time we reach old age are among the oldest structures in the body. This lack of regeneration makes them particularly vulnerable to damage. With eye disease prevention is everything and that is why I include eye-protecting antioxidants in my daily multi antioxidant/vitamin/mineral supplement.

Glaucoma is a degenerative eye disease caused by damage to the optic nerve, usually from increases in pressure of fluids in the eye. Damage to the optic nerve will cause distortions in what we perceive as sight. Increases in pressure are either caused by blocking of eye fluid drainage or an imbalance between production and removal of fluid, which increases pressure on the optic nerve.

The eye has perhaps the most sophisticated and powerful antioxidant defences. This is partly because of the sensitivity of eye components and secondly eye cells, especially the photoreceptor cells of the retina consume more oxygen that any other cells. If these defences are weakened then parts of the eye will start to accumulate damage. With glaucoma this is mostly on the cells that line the front part of the eye. When these are damaged this causes a reduction in fluid flow and increases in pressure.

I have no doubt antioxidants can help prevent cataracts, glaucoma and AMD but the real question is of course as to whether antioxidant therapy could benefit people who have developed these eye diseases. My view is that they probably can help at the early stages of disease formation or they may help slow the rate of deterioration. Give me a call if you need help. To join my weekly newsletter go to www.johnarts.co.nz and visit www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health. To contact John phone (local) 578 9051 or 0800 423 559.