How Your Vision Is Effected by Antioxidants
Since our brains use up to 20% of the energy we take in there is a larger opportunity for mistakes to happen with our mitochondria and genetic transcription in our eyes. These genetic transcription mistakes result in free radicals, which are especially challenging for our optical tissues since we only get a set amount of retinal cells. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress, leading to various eye diseases, while antioxidants help protect against this damage. Antioxidants can mitigate the effects of the damage and help maintain our eye health and vision[1].
Effects of Free Radicals on Vision
Free radicals can negatively impact vision in several ways:
1. Retinal damage: Oxygen-derived free radicals can interact with cellular components, inducing cell injury in the retina[3]. This is particularly problematic for retinal photoreceptors, which have intense metabolic activity and are continuously exposed to free radical damage[4].
2. Inflammatory processes: Free radicals can trigger inflammatory processes in the eye, increasing hydrogen peroxide levels and reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for oxidative action[4].
3. Disease progression: Oxidative stress caused by free radicals is involved in the onset and progression of many eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma[4].
Protective Role of Antioxidants
Antioxidants help counteract the harmful effects of free radicals on vision:
1. Macular health: Antioxidant supplementation, particularly combinations including lutein and zeaxanthin, can increase macular pigment optical density and improve contrast sensitivity[1].
2. Retinal protection: Antioxidants like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have shown neuroprotective effects in experimental models, particularly for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, AMD, and glaucoma[2].
3. Disease prevention: A diet high in antioxidant-rich foods, developed as a habit from an early age, may help prevent vision health deterioration[6].
Specific Eye Conditions
1. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Antioxidant supplements plus lutein have a reasonable probability of retarding AMD progression[6].
2. Diabetic Retinopathy: Antioxidant supplements may offer a small benefit, but primarily as an adjunct to glycemic control[6].
3. Retinitis Pigmentosa: Antioxidant supplements may be beneficial, but those with excess Vitamin E should be avoided[6].
4. Cataracts: While there’s limited evidence for the advantage of nutritional supplements, lubricant drops containing N-acetylcarnosine may be helpful in initial stages[6].
In conclusion, while free radicals contribute to oxidative stress and various eye diseases, antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting ocular tissues and maintaining vision health. However, the effectiveness of antioxidant supplementation varies depending on the specific eye condition and individual circumstances[6][9]. You can improve your chance of avoiding eye diseases by improving blood flow and lowering your exposure to free radicals in your diet and environment. Learn more at our weekly class devoted to vision health and join our Facebook Group to share your experiences with others.
Citations:
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11052915/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33807538/
[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3140028/
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9150018/
[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1298605/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24311110/
[7] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10971924/
[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9586758/
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2244534/
