A new study suggests that eating grapes might slow down or prevent the onset of age-related macular degeneration. Researchers believe the antioxidant effects of grapes are what offer the protection.

The research was conducted at Fordham University and funded by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutues of Health and the California Table Grape Commission. The study compared the influence an antioxidant-rich diet had on vision using mice to conduct the study. The mice were divided into three groups with one group receiving a grape-enriched diet, one with added lutein or just a normal diet.

Researchers found that the grapes offered remarkably more protection than lutein and that the grapes offered benefit for vision even if the grapes were eaten at a young age. The study also indicated that age-related vision loss is a result of collective, oxidative damage over time. It was also noted that to achieve the benefits from eating antioxidant rich foods, they need to be consumed prior to the onset of advanced age.

Reziva, Dr. Krawitz’s trademarked French red grape formula, offers as much trans-resveratrol as 30 glasses of wine.

The discovery of a new source of stem cells at the back of the eye offers hope of possibly one day being able to repair the damage from age-related macular degeneration. Researchers discovered the central nervous system stem cells in a the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) which lies behind the retina.

Stem cells from the RPE layer were taken from they eyes of more than 100 deceased donors who ranged in age from 22 to 99. However, the cells would also be able to be taken from living people by inserting a needle in the eye and removing the cells from the sub-retinal space.

Using these retrieved cells, researchers were able to get about 10% of the stem cells to grow in the lab. Researchers believe that with additional manipulation, it would be possible to create other types of central nervous system cells and neural retinal cells in particular. RPE cells and photoreceptors are important cell types for age-related macular degeneration.*

Many people assume that excessive exposure to UV light can only happen in the summer months but light reflected off snow can damage the eyes’ front surface and people should wear the necessary eye protection to keep their eyes safe.

Exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and growths on the eye. Thousands of skiers and snowboarders in 32 high-altitude ski areas in western North America were interviewed in a recent study to determine if they took precautions against the sun such as wearing goggles, hats and sunscreen and the results were that most of them only did so on occasion. UV radiation exposure increases as the elevation increases and can be high on cloudy days.

So while you are outside having fun this winter it is important to protect your eyes by wearing goggles or sunglasses that have UV protection.*

One in eight cataract surgical patients lost at least two lines of visual acuity within the first 2 years after their surgery. The Cataract Surgery and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study involved 1,936 patient who were age 65 years and older.

Visual acuity data was available for 1,809 of the study participants at 1 month post-operative and for 1,294 of the patients at 2 years. The cataract surgery was performed between 2004 and 2007 and researchers evaluated both presenting and pinhole visual acuity as well utilized retinal photography.

After 2 years, 71.9% of the patients maintained the visual acuity that they had at 1 month. 15.4% of participants actually had an improvement in their pinhole visual acuity while 12.7% recorded a reduction in visual acuity. Researchers noted that the strongest risk factor in reduction of vision after the surgery is the age of the patient and the presence of macular lesions.

A year-long study revealed that glaucoma sufferers who had extensive vision loss in their lower peripheral vision were at a greater risk of falling.

Over the course of the year, 40% of the 70 participants had a fall with 20 percent suffering multiple falls over the period. While all participants had glaucoma, it was the participants who had the severely impaired lower peripheral vision who were at the greatest risk of falling.

This information will allow doctors to better educate their patients on how they can reduce their risk of falling. Such preventative measures include removing tripping hazards from the house and improving the lighting. In addition, those at risk should exercise in good sunlight instead of at low-light times of the day.

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury-related hospital admissions among senior adults with one third of people over the age of 65 falling every year. Regular eye exams play an important role in monitoring any changes in vision which may lead to falls.*