Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 or AREDS II is a study of how nutrients can affect the eyesight. The first study, conducted in 2001, had shown that a high level of antioxidants could reduce the risk of blindness up to 25 percent. However, there were problems with the formulation and the second study effectively addressed these issues.
People with eye disease have said that it is very debilitating. This affects nearly a million people, around 90% elderly, in the United States. People can develop eye disease in several ways. Some are born blind because of defects during the pregnancy. Others go blind after injury or due to diabetes complications. The majority of people that are blind have suffered cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is an aging disease.
There are treatments available but they are limited in their effectiveness and are only good for a certain range of disease. One of these is laser surgery; this is effective in reducing the threat of blindness. However, it is also too expensive for many people and it comes with some of its own hazards. Normally the side effects are not serious, however, they are common. These include reduced night vision and loss of peripheral vision as well as a worsening of visual acuity and sometimes eye hemorrhages.
The first Age-Related Eye Disease Study was released in 2001. The purpose of this study was to learn more about the risk factors surrounding age-related macular degeneration and cataracts and to research the history of the victims. They also wanted to determine whether high doses of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc would have any effect on AMD and cataracts.
Researchers from the first study found that their formula could lessen the chance of blindness by 25%, in people who were considered to be in a high risk category. This category included people who had serious AMD in one eye already, or who had a milder form in both eyes. This only helped people with AMD risk and had no effect on whether someone would get cataracts. This was exciting news, however, later studies showed that the beta-carotene was linked to a cancer risk. People who smoked, and also took beta-carotene, had a higher incident of lung cancer.
The second study, completed in May 2013, had several interesting findings. One of their goals was to attempt to find a substitute for beta-carotene in the original formula. They found that the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin could be substituted for beta-carotene without reducing the effectiveness of this formula. People at high risk for developing advanced AMD should consider taking the antioxidant combination to reduce their chance of blindness.
Many older persons are on prescription medications. Also, they use many over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements. High-dose supplemental nutrients could interfere with some of these medications and keep other vital nutrients from properly absorbing.
Laser surgery has some great effects but it is expensive and it can have serious complications. The initial formula discovered in the AREDS II may be a safer alternative to surgery. This study has confirmed that the formula of antioxidants and zinc reduce AMD risk. Furthermore, the study revealed that lutein and zeaxanthin were effective substitutes for beta-carotene. Before using any new medication please be sure to speak to your doctor.
People with eye disease have said that it is very debilitating. This affects nearly a million people, around 90% elderly, in the United States. People can develop eye disease in several ways. Some are born blind because of defects during the pregnancy. Others go blind after injury or due to diabetes complications. The majority of people that are blind have suffered cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is an aging disease.
There are treatments available but they are limited in their effectiveness and are only good for a certain range of disease. One of these is laser surgery; this is effective in reducing the threat of blindness. However, it is also too expensive for many people and it comes with some of its own hazards. Normally the side effects are not serious, however, they are common. These include reduced night vision and loss of peripheral vision as well as a worsening of visual acuity and sometimes eye hemorrhages.
The first Age-Related Eye Disease Study was released in 2001. The purpose of this study was to learn more about the risk factors surrounding age-related macular degeneration and cataracts and to research the history of the victims. They also wanted to determine whether high doses of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc would have any effect on AMD and cataracts.
Researchers from the first study found that their formula could lessen the chance of blindness by 25%, in people who were considered to be in a high risk category. This category included people who had serious AMD in one eye already, or who had a milder form in both eyes. This only helped people with AMD risk and had no effect on whether someone would get cataracts. This was exciting news, however, later studies showed that the beta-carotene was linked to a cancer risk. People who smoked, and also took beta-carotene, had a higher incident of lung cancer.
The second study, completed in May 2013, had several interesting findings. One of their goals was to attempt to find a substitute for beta-carotene in the original formula. They found that the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin could be substituted for beta-carotene without reducing the effectiveness of this formula. People at high risk for developing advanced AMD should consider taking the antioxidant combination to reduce their chance of blindness.
Many older persons are on prescription medications. Also, they use many over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements. High-dose supplemental nutrients could interfere with some of these medications and keep other vital nutrients from properly absorbing.
Laser surgery has some great effects but it is expensive and it can have serious complications. The initial formula discovered in the AREDS II may be a safer alternative to surgery. This study has confirmed that the formula of antioxidants and zinc reduce AMD risk. Furthermore, the study revealed that lutein and zeaxanthin were effective substitutes for beta-carotene. Before using any new medication please be sure to speak to your doctor.
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