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Cataract and Glaucoma Specialist

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Home > Archives for vitamin c

Does Vitamin C Help Prevent Cataracts?

July 14, 2016 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

vitamin CAs we age, our eyes undergo natural wear and tear, resulting in the clouding of the eye’s natural lens – cataract. It’s a normal part of the aging process and by the age of 80, nearly 50 percent of all adults will develop a cataract in one or both eyes. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 and older. So, it’s no wonder why so many people are asking the question – Is there a way to prevent cataracts?

How Vitamin C can Help Lower Your Risk of Cataracts

Some scientific studies have shown that moderate doses of vitamin C (60 to 250 milligrams) over time can help reduce the risk of cataracts in older adults. According to one recent study published in the journal Ophthalmology, individuals with diets involving vitamin C and roughly two servings of fruit and of vegetables daily were 20 to 33 percent less likely to develop cataracts than those who ate a less nutritious diet. Vitamin C supplements, however, were found to have little to no benefit.

“We found no beneficial effect from supplements, only from the vitamin C in the diet,” said Dr. Chris Hammond, the study’s lead author and chair of ophthalmology at King’s College. ”This probably means that it is not just vitamin C but everything about a healthy diet that is good for us and good for aging.”

This is why pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. James McDonnell recommends making a “colorful plate, especially with greens, blues, and reds.

“Certain foods have distinct benefits for the eyes in addition to overall health, including many of the trendy superfoods such as kale, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.”

Vitamin C is Just One Part of the Puzzle

According to Dr. Hammond, a person’s genetic makeup accounts for 35 percent of the risk of cataract progression, while diet and environmental factors account for the other 65 percent.  So the best way to ensure your eyes stay healthy is still periodic, comprehensive eye exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends that people between the ages of three and 39 have their eyes examined every couple of years. At the age of 40, everyone should have a baseline eye screening. Based on the results of the initial screening, an ophthalmologist will prescribe the necessary intervals for follow-up exams. Seniors – over the age of 65 – should have complete eye exams every one to two years.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

The Anne Arundel Eye Center, led by board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, AAEC’s state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Nicole Kershner, Dr. Kathryn Turner, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010. AAEC is staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals who will help guide you on your healing journey.

Filed Under: Cataracts Tagged With: Cataracts, vitamin c

Can Vitamin C Really Lower My Risk of Cataracts?

March 31, 2016 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 and older, and by age 80, nearly half of all adults will develop at least one cataract. As we age, our eyes undergo natural wear and tear, resulting in the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. This clouding is known as cataracts and is a normal part of the aging process.

“I like to compare cataracts to the clear plastic window in the back of a convertible car,” said board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, “After years of exposure to sun and weather, the plastic becomes yellow and cloudy.”

However, we may have a new fight in our battle against cataracts – our diet.

“Make a colorful plate, especially with greens, blues, and reds,” said Dr. James McDonnell, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Loyola University Health System. “Certain foods have distinct benefits for the eyes in addition to overall health, including many of the trendy superfoods such as kale, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.

How a Diet Rich in Vitamin C can Protect Healthy Vision

According to a new study published in the journal Ophthalmology, a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of cataracts. A team of researchers from King’s College in London studied 1,000 pairs of female twins from the UK Twins registry, each about 60 years old at the time they filled out a detailed food questionnaire. Researchers next scanned each participant’s eyes using digital imaging to measure cataract progression.

The study found that those participants who regularly ate vitamin C and roughly two servings of fruit and of vegetables daily were 20 percent less likely to develop cataracts than those who ate a less nutritious diet.

Vitamin C Cataracts

Regularly eating foods rich in vitamin C and other key nutrients can help lower the risk of cataracts.

Researchers followed up with 324 of the twin pairs 10 years later and found that those who had originally reported eating more vitamin C now had a 33 percent lower risk of developing cataracts.

“We found no beneficial effect from supplements, only from the vitamin C in the diet,” said Dr. Chris Hammond, the study’s lead author and chair of ophthalmology at King’s College. ”This probably means that it is not just vitamin C but everything about a healthy diet that is good for us and good for aging.”

Based on his findings, Dr. Hammond now believes that a person’s genetic makeup accounts for 35 percent of the risk of cataract progression, while diet and environmental factors account for the other 65 percent.

“While we cannot totally avoid developing cataracts, we may be able to delay their onset and keep them from worsening significantly by eating a diet rich in vitamin C,” said Dr. Hammond. “The findings of this study could have significant impact, particularly for the ageing population globally by suggesting that simple dietary changes such as increased intake of fruit and vegetables as part of a healthier diet could help protect them from cataracts.”

Vitamin C Alone Cannot Protect Your Vision

While regularly eating foods rich in vitamin C and other key nutrients can help protect healthy vision, the best way to ensure your eyes stay healthy is with periodic eye exams. Furthermore, according to the National Eye Institute, treating cataracts before they worsen is the key to preventing the spread from one eye to another. This is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends that people between the ages of three and 39 have their eyes examined every couple of years. At the age of 40, everyone should have a baseline eye screening. Based on the results of the initial screening, an ophthalmologist will prescribe the necessary intervals for follow-up exams. Seniors – over the age of 65 – should have complete eye exams every one to two years.

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam

The Anne Arundel Eye Center, led by board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, AAEC’s state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Nicole Kershner, Dr. Kathryn Turner, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010. AAEC is staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals who will help guide you on your healing journey.

Works Cited

  1. Hammon CJ, Yonova-Doing E, and Gilbert CE, et al. Genetic and Dietary Factors Influencing the Progression of Nuclear Cataract. Ophthalmology. 2016.

  2. Loyola University Health System. Department of Ophthalmology. What to Eat for Good Eye Health from a Loyola Ophthalmologist. Loyola Medicine. 30 Mar. 2015. Web.

Filed Under: Cataracts Tagged With: Cataracts, Risk, vitamin c

Natural Supplements Can Help Slow or Prevent Degenerative Eye Diseases

February 17, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Vitamins and nutrients play a key role in your vision. Research has proven that a balanced diet, including the right vitamins and nutrients, will not only optimize visual acuity in healthy eyes, but it may also help reduce the risk of eye problems, such as degenerative eye diseases.

Important Vitamins and Nutrients

Vitamin A and beta-carotene: Vitamin A is crucial for night vision, wound healing, and proper functioning of the immune system.

Vitamin B complex: B complex vitamins – B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 folic acid, biotin and choline – can help reduce chronic inflammation and prevent elevated homocysteine levels in the blood. These issues have been associated with vascular problems affecting the retina. B complex vitamins may also reduce the risk of macular degeneration and assist in the treatment of uveitis.

Vitamin C: Research suggests that this antioxidant plays a role in reducing the risk of cataracts.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D has been linked to lowering the risk of macular degeneration.

Vitamin E: Studies have shown Vitamin E to help reduce the risk of cataracts.

Lutein and Zeaxathin: These may reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

Phytochemical Antioxidants: These nutrients appear to provide protection from oxidative stress in the body, including the eyes.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids: These nutrients have been known to reduce the risk of dry eyes.

Bioflavonoids: Bioflavonoids appear to help the body absorb vitamin C for higher antioxidant efficiency.

If you feel you may not be getting enough of the above vitamins and nutrients, talk to your primary care physician, nutritionist, or eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist – about starting a nutritional supplements regimen to ensure that you get all the important nutrients you need for good, healthy eyesight.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about Degenerative Eye Disease Prevention, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

Cast your vote now for Anne Arundel Eye Center, Dr. Boles and Dr. Frank in Chesapeake Family Magazine’s Favorite Docs 2012! Voting ends on March 15th.

Dr. Boles and everyone else at the Anne Arundel Eye Center proudly support the efforts of The Polakoff Foundation and their role in the ongoing fight against glaucoma. Click here to purchase tickets online for the Polakoff Foundation’s Mardi Gras Celebration to help raise money to aid the fight against blindness.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

Glaucoma and Cataracts may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter,Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Guide to Choosing Nutritional Supplements for Vision

Filed Under: Cataracts, Degenerative Eye Diseases, Eye Care, Eye Disease, Symptoms, Treatment Tagged With: Anne Arundel Eye Center, Bioflavonoids, Degenerative Eye Disease Prevention, degenerative eye diseases, facebook, Google+, Guide to Choosing Nutritional Supplements for Vision, help reduce the risk of eye problems, homocysteine levels in the blood, Important Vitamins and Nutrients, Lutein and Zeaxathin, Natural Supplements Can Help Slow or Prevent Degenerative Eye Diseases, Omega-3 essential fatty acids, optimize visual acuity in healthy eyes, Phytochemical Antioxidants, Polakoff Foundation’s Mardi Gras Celebration, proper functioning of the immune system, reduce chronic inflammation, reducing the risk of cataracts, the right vitamins and nutrients, twitter, vascular problems affecting the retina, Vitamin A and beta-carotene, Vitamin A is crucial for night vision, Vitamin B complex, vitamin c, Vitamin D, vitamin e, Vitamins and nutrients, wound healing

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Symptoms and Treatment

December 22, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans 60 years of age or older. Currently, about 1.75 million U.S. residents have advanced AMD with associated vision loss. That number expected to grow to almost 3 million by 2020.

AMD is an eye disease that affects the part of the retina (the macula) responsible for sharp, central vision. As a result, AMD can make it difficult to perform every day tasks, such as reading and driving.

Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

  • Gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
  • Objects appear distorted in shape. Straight lines look wavy or crooked.
  • Loss of clear color vision
  • A dark or empty area appears in the center of vision.

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Any sudden change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

AMD can advance so slowly that individuals initially notice little change in their vision. Other times, AMD progresses more rapidly and may even lead to vision loss in both eyes. This is why regular eye exams are so important. They can help detect the eye disease before it causes significant vision loss.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment

There are two types of AMD, “dry” macular degeneration and the less common “wet” macular degeneration.

Dry AMD: With this form of AMD, the tissue of the macula gradually becomes thinner and stops functioning properly. There is currently no cure for dry AMD and any vision loss associated with the disease cannot be restored, even with treatment.
Wet AMD: This form of AMD is caused by fluid that leak from newly formed blood vessels under the macula, resulting in blurred central vision. With wet AMD, vision loss can be rapid and severe, but if detected early, this form of AMD can be treated with photocoagulation (laser treatment).
Other potential treatment options include:
Anti-angiogenesis drugs: These medications block the development of new blood vessels and leakage from the abnormal vessels within the eye that cause wet macular degeneration.
Vitamins: A recent study found that vitamins C, E, beta carotene, zinc and copper can decrease the risk of vision loss in patients with intermediate to advanced dry macular degeneration.

Photodynamic laser therapy: A two-step treatment in which a light sensitive drug is used to damage the abnormal blood vessels. A doctor injects the drug into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the eye. The doctor then shines a cold laser into the eye to activate the drug, damaging the abnormal blood vessels.

While AMD treatment cannot restore your vision, it can help to slow further vision loss.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about cataracts, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!
Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitterand YouTube as well!

Sources:
Macular Degeneration MedlinePlus
Age-Related Macular Degeneration American Optometric Association

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