The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.

Beatty S,  Koh H,  Phil M,  Henson D,  Boulton M.

Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blind registration in the developed world, and yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Oxidative stress, which refers to cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), has been implicated in many disease processes, especially age-related disorders. ROIs include free radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and singlet oxygen, and they are often the byproducts of oxygen metabolism. The retina is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress because of its high consumption of oxygen, its high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and its exposure to visible light. In vitro studies have consistently shown that photochemical retinal injury is attributable to oxidative stress and that the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E protect against this type of injury.Furthermore, there is strong evidence suggesting that lipofuscin is derived, at least in part, from oxidatively damaged photoreceptor outer segments and that it is itself a photoreactive substance. However, the relationships between dietary and serum levels of the antioxidant vitamins and age-related macular disease are less clear, althougha protective effect of high plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) has been convincingly demonstrated.Macular pigment is also believed to limit retinal oxidative damage by absorbing incoming blue light and/or quenching ROIs. Many putative risk-factors for AMD have been linked to a lack of macular pigment, including female gender, lens density, tobacco use, light iris color, and reduced visual sensitivity. Moreover, the Eye Disease Case-Control Study found that high plasma levels of lutein and zeaxanthin were associated with reduced risk of neovascular AMD. The concept that AMD can be attributed to cumulative oxidative stress is enticing, but remains unproven. With a view to reducing oxidative damage, the effect of nutritional antioxidant supplements on the onset and natural course of age-related macular disease is currently being evaluated.

Omega-3, as found in Fish Oil, has also been associated with preventing and helping Macular Degeneration.  If your serious about this then I would take 2000-3000 mg of omega-3 daily.  This is not fish oil but omega-3 milligrams your counting.  You can calculate the omega-3 content of fish oil by simply adding the DHA plus the EPA listed on the bottle.

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