Could Zeaxanthin limit the effects of AMD?

Source: www.contactlenses.co.uk/contactlensesnews/article57313/could-zeaxanthin-limit-the-effects-of-amd.html?catid=5

Could Zeaxanthin limit the effects of AMD?

12.11.2011

By Adrian Galbreth

Older people who suffer from early signs of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) may be able to use a nutritional supplementation product to restrict the effect of this condition.

A study carried out by eye nutrition pioneer Stuart Richer, PhD, at Chicago's Veterans Administration Hospital has been able to establish health benefits to elderly citizens consuming Zeaxanthin.

According to the results of the research, entitled the Zeaxanthin and Visual Function (ZVF) Study, there is scientific evidence that proves such a product could enhance the vision of older people when they drive at night.

To demonstrate the appeal of Zeaxanthin, Mr Richer monitored 60 elderly individuals for 12 months, with each subject suffering from early AMD.

A daily consumption of eight milligrams of dietary Zeaxanthin was undertaking by each person, with the results demonstrating that they were able to handle driving at night better over this period.

Furthermore, each participant also managed to achieve an average improvement of 1.5 lines when studying an eye chart, while blind spots were also reduced significantly.

Dennis Gierhart, PhD and chief executive of Zeaxanthin research firm ZeaVision, acknowledged: "Since the identification of Zeaxanthin and its role in eye health more than 20 years ago, I have seen it as my mission to bring the benefits of Zeaxanthin to a wider audience.

"I am thrilled with the findings that support the many benefits of Zeaxanthin supplementation."

The ZVF Study comes soon after the Co-operative Motor Group revealed that in 2010, there were 4,009 drivers licences revoked as a result of people suffering from failing eyesight.

Such a figure is a large jump from the 1,597 licences which were revoked in 2006 for the same reason, with the results concerning the company's group managing director Tony Guest.

As a result, he advised: "Good eyesight is essential to safe motoring, and we would urge anybody who has concerns over their vision to contact a specialist. There is no room for complacency when it comes to road safety."

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