Posts Tagged ‘AMD’
As the age increasing, our sights are inevitably getting worse. Normally, when people are 50 years old, some people may be a little younger, people’s vision begin to deteriorate. But now we find that lutein enriched multi-vitamins are helpful to defer people’s vision deterioration.
The aged-related macular degeneration or AMD for short is the main condition in this piece. AMD make a vision loss in the central retina. The reasons cause AMD are complex, but some reasons can be certain that eyes expose in the UV light for long time can make this problem. And a change in the concentration of the macular pigment that compound lutein and zeaxanthin are also believed to make AMD happen.
We can not stop getting old so that our sights are inevitably getting worse, but we can take some measures to delay or minimize the onset of AMD, some tips are as follows: try to manage your blood and avoid getting hypertension; control the cholesterol in a low level; avoid over weighted; do not have too much fat; and do not smoke. The smokers get the risk of AMD higher by two or three times than the normal people.
What is the most important, the more you intake of lutein, the less risk you take AMD, because its cousin compound zeaxanthin will help mitigate AMD. Enough macular pigment compounds are important in eyes health. People can get lutein from the foods such as Brussels sprouts, swiss chard, garden peas, corn, zucchini, broccoli, romaine lettuce, collard greens, turnip greens and kale.
When people get intake some kind of lutein enriched food that whether they get the proper amount of the nutrients is unknown, because it is a big molecule and it dissolves in organic solvents. So if people want to get recommended amount of lutein, they had better drink some kind of oil to help the lutein to get absorbed.
Another way to get proper lutein is to get lutein enriched multi-vitamins. People can easily get the quantity of the recommended nutrient. What is more, some good ones also comes with zeaxanthin which can make lutein have greater effectiveness. Also, they are more convenient.
Some good multi-vitamins also contain some other ingredients; some kind of ones may have about 100 ingredients. Also, accord to different requirements they can be made in different types. For instance, they can be tailored to respectively suit men and women. And good multi-vitamins also include some other good things.
more info
·Lutein and zeaxanthin for healthy eyes
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Our eyes are vulnerable to some diseases as we age. When we are over forty, we may suffer from presbyopia; when we are over fifty, we may suffer from Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which can always lead to irreversible blindness. Here we are going to introduce something about AMD and some methods of prevention. The mechanism of AMD is the blood vessels in our eyes may become very fragile and the blood flow into our eye tissues. The most direct result is blurriness as a result of macular degeneration. However, as the conditions get even worse, our eyes will be in complete blindness.
That’s to say; once the macular is damaged or thinned, our vision will be influenced. The reason is our retinas are protected by the macular pigment from coming light. The thinner our macular pigment is, the worse our eyes are.
In fact, some substances play very important role in the protection of our eyes. For example, Lutein is a very effective antioxidant substance than are very useful in the protection of macula.
The scientists have not found such a method currently that can be employed in the cure of Macula Degeneration. But prevention is much important than treatment. Some very common methods can be used for the prevention of such diseases. Following are they.
We should first know what AMD is and what the cause of it is. Some bad habits can reduce the density of macula pigment. Such as, smoking and drinking alcohol can be very irritating for the macula; working under too bright light, as the sun and computer, can also reduce the density of the pigment. As mentioned above that lutein is very effective antioxidant substance which can help slow the process of macula degeneration. In this sense, it is very essential for us to intake foods that are abundant with lutein.
In fact, other materials can also help to slow the process of AMD. Thus, we should intake more other vitamins and mineral, while ingesting lutein.
Some eye doctors recommend that there are four substances that are vital for the health of our eyes.
The first one is, no doubt, lutein that is a kind of very effective antioxidant substance. It is very nice for us to use some lutein pills that are extracted from marigold plant. It is true that these pills are expensive, but effective.
The matter of fragility in the blood vessels can also be prevented by taking Bilberry in which flavanoids and anthocyanin are contained. Our eye muscles can be benefited a lot from this substance. Taking such pills everyday is essential.
The problem of bad elasticity in the blood vessels can also be avoided by intaking some grape seeds extract. If our blood vessels lose their elasticity, we will suffer a lot. These pills can help prompt the circulation of our blood. Take some everyday.
The commonest Vitamin C is still very important, for it is essential for the synthesis of some tissues. Like lutein, it is also an antioxidant substance. Take some Vitamins C pills everyday.
more related article
·Vitamin C and bioflavonoid for healthy eyes
·Attach Importance of Eye Health Maintenance
Firmoo.com is the emerging online optical store selling high quality eyewear, such as prescription eyeglasses (single vision myopic glasses, reading glasses, bifocal and progressive eyeglasses etc.,), prescription sunglasses (with RX tinted lenses), prescription sports goggles. Firmoo guarantees lowest possible price in the market. Firmoo’s return and refund policy makes any purchase risk-free ones.
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Found in the macula, the macular pigment (MP) consists of two pigments or carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin. MP is most dense in the center of the macula named fovea. Moreover, these two pigments have different concentration is different parts of the eye. Lutein makes up 67% or greater of the MP in the peripheral retina. But in the central macula, zeaxanthin is the majority that it accounts for up to 75% of the MP.
MP in the eyes can protect them from harmful effects or free radicals caused by excessive exposure to UV rays and blue light. In detail, the two pigments of MP can help prevent age-related macular degeneration. In general, there are two ways to get enough lutein and zeaxanthin. A balanced diet with plenty of green vegetables and fruits as well as dietary supplements of the two nutrients can both offer enough MP.
As supplements are one of the main sources of MP, there are many studies focusing on these supplements as well as their effects. One study named enhancement of macular pigment density by oral lutein supplement (EMPOLS) conducted by researchers in Berne, Switzerland evaluates the relation between MP density and intake of supplements containing lutein. Participants of this study consume 10mg of lutein supplement product labeled VitaluxPlus on a daily basis.
Another observation study named the role of macular pigment in patients with age-related macular degeneration is also being carried out in Switzerland. Expected to complete in December 2009, this study has several purposes. First one is to assess how MP density and its distribution are associated with age-related macular degeneration. A second aim is to identify patients with low MP density. The study is still supposed to improve the early diagnosis of patients susceptible to AMD. Since low MP values are high risks of AMD, the observation study will develop a basis for dietary supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin.
A balanced diet beneficial to eye health should contain many foods. Lutein is one of the critical elements. Many sources are rich in lutein, including corn, eggs, spinach, carrots, cantaloupe, oranges, red and orange peppers, kale, and collard greens and so on. In order to facilitate the absorption of lutein through the digestive tract, it is also necessary to eat some healthy fat in combination with those raw vegetables.
More related articles
·AMD treatments that are under trials and researches
·FDA-approved treatments for AMD
·Various ways to prevent AMD
Firmoo.com is the emerging online optical store selling high quality eyewear, such as prescription eyeglasses (single vision myopic glasses, reading glasses, bifocal and progressive eyeglasses etc.,), prescription sunglasses (with RX tinted lenses), prescription sports goggles. Firmoo guarantees lowest possible price in the market. Firmoo’s return and refund policy makes any purchase risk-free ones.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/mp-density-and-amd-1534204.html
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For those 200,000 AMD patients within an average year in US, the most effective treatment that approved by FDA is Lucentis. It brings hope to wet AMD patients by stopping and sometimes reversing vision loss, which is a huge breakthrough. Yet another drug that is similar to Lucentis is also under wide discussion, which is named Avastin. But Avastin is much cheaper than Lucentis, so that many doctors recommend Avastin for low-income individuals.
However, Avastin has not received FDA approval for ophthalmic uses. Based on safety issues, Genentech also restricts the sale of Avastin to compounding pharmacies for ocular uses. Both Lucentis and Avastin are owned by this company. Since the FDA has expressed no concern about the Avastin’s off label uses for AMD, many eye doctors argue that Genentech should allow Avastin to be directly sold to both physicians and compounding pharmacies. If only physicians have access to Avastin, doctors at the American Academy of Ophthalmology protest that many lower income people will be deprived of this sight-saving drug. The fact is that Lucentis cost an average of $2,000, while Avastin only needs $150.
During the widely off-label uses of Avastin, this treatment has not been proved to be as effective as Lucentis, or even more effective. No clinical study has made a comparison between the two AMD treatments. The most concern is their price discrepancy. Even if Medicare and other health insurance plans offset parts of the Lucentis expense, it is still much more expensive than Avastin. For example, patients with Medicare may only need to pay a 20% of co-payment for Lucentis, which equals about $400.
Genentech has given explanations about its different policies of the two drugs. Genentech officials say that the high price of Lucentis comes from its special development and its considerable expense of clinical trials. Lucentis is administered in the form of smaller molecules, which are more effective in controlling abnormal blood vessels. The company also claims that they will not conduct new trials for Avastin, since Lucentis has already got FDA approval and is a promising AMD solution. The good news may be that the US government is likely to fund the comparison between Lucentis and Avastin.
While the initial use of Avastin for colon and other cancers was reported to arouse risks of stroke and heart attack, its use for macular degeneration has brought no negative side effects. Most of the doctors are positive about the Avastin’s long-term safety risks. Due to its low price, researchers encourage the use of Avastin. There are also concerns that Avastin may be unable to penetrate the eye’s retina effectively. The undergoing two-year NEI clinical trails may settle down all these controversies.
Article Source:http://vision.firmoo.com/eye-diseases/debate-on-lucentis-and-avastin.html
Vision Library is the information source in area of vision care, including eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, sports protective eyewear, vision error and diseases, vision surgery, ageing and kid’s vision etc., solely sponsored by Firmoo.com, an emerging online optical store. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/the-debate-on-lucentis-and-avastin-1310802.html
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Besides FDA-approved AMD treatments, there are still many investigational treatments that are under trial. These treatments are provided only if the patient acts as a volunteer to test their safety and effectiveness.
While Avastin has been used to treat colorectal cancer, it has not been approved to treat macular degeneration. Some ECPs only use Avastin in the form of off label. Studies show that Avastin brings positive results in AMD treatment. Like these FDA-approved treatments such as Lucentis and Macugen, Avastin also function by injection into the eye.
Another treatment aiming at stopping the abnormal blood vessel growth is named Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Trap-Eye. This treatment was reported to be as effective as Lucentis for wet AMD.
Retaane treats advanced macular degeneration by attacking enzymes, which allows abnormal blood vessel growth. Left untreated, enzymes will weaken the walls of retinal blood vessels. Retaane performs in a way that is quite different from most of those AMD treatments. It is deposited behind the eye alongside the sclera and will be replaced every six months.
By preventing abnormal blood vessel development, Combretastatin is indicated to slow or halt myopia AMD progression, which affects young people with some eye diseases. The company is still carrying out clinical studies to demonstrate that whether the treatment is effective for AMD on old people.
Encapsulated Cell Technology (ECT) is designed to maintain sustained release of genetically engineered cells, in order to reduce retinal damage. Radiation treatment such as X-rays is also used to deal with AMD, which is still under early clinical studies.
AMD can be treated in another particular way. Since AMD is associated with slow blood flow and capillary vessel damage caused by macro-proteins and fatty components, procedures that can remove these harmful substances are effective. One of such procedures is the RHED procedure, which is also under trials.
Injected into a vein in the arm, the ICG dye is used to detect the presence and location of neovascular vessels. The Feeder Vessel Therapy also uses a high speed camera to trace the dye during its progression into the abnormal vessels.
AMD patients always have central blind spots, so that doctors have invented a tiny, implanted device to magnify images onto the retina. This treatment is known as implantable telescope, which has received significant clinical trial results.
Another potential AMD treatment is Transpupillary Thermotherapy, which combines an infrared laser and drug treatment. While its creator announces positive effects, some patients say it is dissatisfying.
Other researches focus on both artificial retinas and gene therapy, which are in early stages. Artificial retina can permanently recover the vision of AMD patients. Gene therapy is conceived to introduce specially encoded genes to alter AMD process.
For patients failed to get satisfied with all those moderate treatments. They can finally resort to an AMD surgery, which can remove the damaged tissues.
Article Source:http://vision.firmoo.com/eye-diseases/amd-treatments-trials-researches.html
Vision Library is the information source in area of vision care, including eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, sports protective eyewear, vision error and diseases, vision surgery, ageing and kid’s vision etc., solely sponsored by Firmoo.com, an emerging online optical store.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/amd-treatments-that-are-under-trials-and-researches-1301145.html