The October issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology reported findings by Dr. Cecil Delcourt of the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris that antioxidant status is strongly related to the prevalence of macular degeneration. Dr. Delcourt and members of the POLA study group evaluated information provided by 2,584 persons aged 60 or older.
Blood levels of glutathione and vitamins A, C and E were assessed as well as the pollution and eyes health history, lens opacity and visual acuity of each individual. Color fundus photographs of the macular area of the eyes were taken for each patient. Of the group, 38 had late age-related macular degeneration. Persons older than eighty years of age experienced a higher prevalence of the disease.
etina of an Eye with Dry ARMD
This most common type of ARMD affects 90% of the people who have the condition. In the dry form, there is a breakdown or thinning of the retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) in the macula. These RPE cells are important to the health of the retina. They are light sensitive and contain hundreds of photoreceptors. The death or degeneration of these cells is called atrophy. Hence, dry AMD is often referred to as atrophic ARMD. It is characterized by the presence of drusen (dots of yellow crystalline deposits that develop within the macula) and thinning of the macula. Dry or atrophic MD reduces one’s central vision and can effect color perception. Generally, the damage caused by the “dry” form is not as severe as that of the “wet” form. Unfortunately, there is no proven cure or treatment.
Retina of an Eye with Wet ARMD
This is the more severe type of ARMD. Although it afflicts only 10 percent of those who have the condition, it accounts for 90 percent of the blindness caused by this disease. With this type, the membrane underlying the retina thickens, then breaks. The oxygen supply to the macula is disrupted and the body responds by growing new, abnormal blood vessels. These begin to grow through the breaks of the membrane behind the retina towards the macula, often raising the retina.
To visualize this, imagine the roots of a tree growing and spreading until they actually uproot a sidewalk. Then imagine rainwater seeping up throughout the cracks. These abnormal blood vessels (the “roots) tend to be very fragile. They often grow, leak or bleed, causing scarring of the macula. This damage to the macula results in rapid central vision loss. Once this vision is destroyed, it cannot be restored.
Most patients report that their first sign of ARMD was the rapid onset of prolonged, distorted vision. Straight lines like telephone wires and doorframes appear to be wavy. If you notice any distorted or missing areas of vision, consult your ophthalmologist promptly. A certain percentage of patients with wet ARMD can benefit from laser treatment if the blood vessel leak is caught early enough. Newer treatments are being developed which may be better and less damaging than conventional laser.
Individuals having the highest vitamin E to lipid ratios were found to have an 82% decrease in the incidence of the disease. They were also found to have fewer early signs of age-related macular degeneration.
Although the investigators remarked that the study was observational, they stated that the results suggest a protective effect of vitamin E against age-related macular degeneration.
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