News
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Protect Eyes Against Retinopathy, Study Finds. (July 2007)
Retinopathies may be prevented or lessened by a change in diet. Omega-3 fatty acids protect against the development and progression of retinopathy, a deterioration of the retina, in mice. This is the major finding of a study that appears in the July 2007 issue of the journal Nature Medicine. The study was a collaborative effort by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston, the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Woman's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Goteborg in Sweden, and the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The researchers found that increasing omega-3 fatty acids, and decreasing omega-6 fatty acids in the diet, reduced the area of vessel loss that ultimately causes the growth of the abnormal blood vessels and blindness. Omega-6 fatty acids contribute to the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
"Our finding represent new evidence suggesting the possiblility that omega-3 fatty acids act as protective factors in diseases that affect retinal blood vessels", said John Paul SanGiovani, ScD, NEI staff scientist, and the other lead author of the study.
Comparison of AMD Treatments Trial (CATT): Lucentis - Avastin Trial (Feb 2008)
The National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the start of a multicenter clinical trial to compare the relative safety and effectiveness of two drugs currently used to treat advanced age-related macular degernation (AMD). The two drugs, Lucentis (ranibizumab) and Avastin (bevacizumab). AMD is a disease that damages the macula. The macul is the area of the retina responsible for central vision. AMD is a leading cause of blindness among older Americans. Nearly two million Americans are visually impaired by AMD, while more than seven million are at increased risk of vision loss from the disease.
Lucentis was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2006 for the treatment of advanced, or wet, AMD. The approval was based on evidence from clinical trials showing that Lucentis slows the rate of progression of vision loss from wet AMD. In addition to a low rate of developing vision loss, approximately one-third of patients treated in these trials had some improvement in vision, as measured on an eye chart at 12 months.
Avastin is a drug closely related to Lucentis. It was FDA approved in 2004, as an intravenous treatment for patients with advanced colorectal cancer, and therefore has been available for what is called "off-label" use for other health conditions. It has been widely used "off-label" to treat AMD. Avastin is thought to remain in the eye longer than Lucentis, and therefore possibly allow for less frequent injections.
The Lucentis - Avastin trial will determine the relative safety and effectiveness of treating wet AMD in 1,200 patients. This clinical trial will be conducted at 47 clinical centers across the country. It is hoped the results of this study will improve the treatment of wet AMD. Reducing the frequency of treatments, without comprpomising effectiveness, would reduce the treatment burden for patients, and produce a potential cost savings.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
OCT is a non-invasive technology used for imaging the retina. This is the first instrument that allows doctors to see cross-section images of the retina, and is revolutionizing the early detection and treatment of retinal conditions such as: macular edema, macular holes and optic nerve damage.
OCT is similar to CT scans of internal organs. OCT uses optical backscattering of light to rapidly scan the eye and show a representation of the 10 anatomic layers in the retina, and measure the thickness of these layers. In certain conditions, the OCT procedure is able to reduce or eliminate the need for fluorescein angiography in some patients.
Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) - Results (2001)
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) is a major clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The purpose of this study was to learn more about the natural history and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to evaluate the effect of high doses of antioxidants and zinc, on the progression of AMD.
This clinical trial closely followed about 3,600 participants with varying stages of AMD. The results showed that the AREDS formulation, while not a cure for AMD, may play a key role in helping people at high risk for developing advanced AMD, keep their remaining vision.
Before taking these high levels of vitamins and minerals, you should consult with your eye care professional about your risk of developing advanced AMD, and whether taking the AREDS formulation is right for you.
