A leading cause of blindness, macular degeneration affects the vision of 13 million people in the US alone, causing 300,000 to go completely blind. This age-related eyesight deterioration occurs when lutein pigment runs out and becomes too thin to protect the pigment layer of macula, rendering the optic nerves vulnerable to damages by UV's harmful irradiation and free radicals.

Tiny capillaries then grow behind a small portion of the retina responsible for detailed vision, causing the vessels to bleed and scar. Once damaged, light-sensing nerve cells open an ever-widening hole in a person’s sight. Though macular degeneration may take years to progress, it can also move with lightning speed. Some patients notice a wavy line one day, and a huge blur weeks later.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the industrial world. Because no cure officially exists, (Please read Science File below) effective prevention is key.

SCIENCE FILE

Plant pigment Lutein reverses vision loss April 9th, 2004  Journal of the American Optometric Assn

According to a new study published last week in the Journal of the American Optometric Assn., Lutein, a yellow pigment found in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens, can reverse some of the symptoms of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of visual disability in the United States.  

Though relatively small, 90 subject study is the first to show that it could actually reverse symptoms. Lutein has previously been shown in several studies, (As well as one major trial to be announced later this month) to delay the onset of macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration, which involves genetic and nutritional components, occurs in the area of the eye that provides the central field of vision, interfering with a person's ability to see details and eventually leading to complete blindness. "There is no successful treatment for the disease," Dr. Stuart Richer of the North Chicago VA Medical Center, says.

He and his colleagues administered 10 milligrams of lutein a day to 30 people with the disease, 10 milligrams of lutein and 10 milligrams of an antioxidant to another 30, and a placebo to a third group of 30."Over the year of the study, those patients getting either formulation of lutein had a modest increase in visual acuity," Richer said, while those receiving a placebo got worse. "This is unprecedented, but the data doesn't support calling it a treatment because the study was so small. I prefer to call it an intervention."

Richer says he tells his elderly patients to eat 3 to 4 ounces of spinach, the equivalent of 10 milligrams of lutein, at least three or four times a week, especially if they are smokers or have blue eyes, both of which are risk factors for the disease. If they can't or won't eat spinach, he recommends supplements.

Pharmacology: Lutein/Zeaxanthin/Bilberry

HBC's Invision formulation contains three scientifically proven elements guaranteed to protect your eyes: Bilberry, zeaxanthin (zia-ZAN-thin), and lutein (lou-TEEN). Also known as huckleberry, Bilberry’s fifteen different flavonoids (antho-cyanidins) have a particular affinity for our delicate retinal tissue. By guarding it against free radical attack, Bilberry’s rich flavonoid compounds boost capillary resistance, inhibit capillary permeability, reduce clotting, and improve blood supply.

Used by British Royal Air Force pilots flying night-bombing missions-where clear vision was critical-Bilberry enabled their eyes to adjust to darkness faster. French studies have since revealed that Bilberry supplementation significantly enhances our ability to adjust to glare as well as darkness. Like St. John’s wort, Bilberry is considered an astringent and has exhibited antibacterial properties in the intestines as well as enhancing blood supply to the nervous system.