Our eyes are our window to the world and reflect our well-being. Over one million Americans over 40 years old are blind. A staggering 20 million are visually impaired. Older Americans' failing eyesight is the leading reason they lose independent living. Deteriorating eye conditions surpass chronic health conditions like Alzheimer's and osteoporosis according to the Alliance for Aging Research.
'Eye to Eye,' a two-part documentary series produced for public television stations examines new treatment and prevention options for four chronic eye conditions. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy are covered in the context of real clinical trial patients. Highlights of the broadcast include the latest results from a prosthetic eye chip study conducted by researchers at The Doheny Retina Institute. The Institute is an internationally recognized center for clinical vision research and advanced patient care in Los Angeles, California. The initial results of their groundbreaking, FDA-approved feasibility trial of an intraocular retinal prosthesis appears to restore some degree of sight to the blind. The microelectronic retinal prosthesis practically substitutes for damaged retinal cells in people suffering from such blinding diseases as retinitis pigmentosa and AMD.
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among Americans over age 65. The National Eye Institute (NEI) reports chronic eye conditions, including AMD, represent $30 to $40 billion in direct and indirect societal and productivity costs each year. 'Eye To Eye' documents an NEI researcher who describes a pilot study assessing how lutein is absorbed into the bloodstream in people over age 60. A number of clinical studies document the effectiveness of the antioxidant--lutein--for deterring AMD's onset or progression. Lutein is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. It is increasingly recognized as a key in maintaining the health of the macula, an area in the back of the eye's retina. Macular damage from sunlight and other environmental factors generally results in the onset of AMD.
Robert Abel Jr., MD, is a renowned ophthalmologist and nutrition/ supplement author featured in 'Eye To Eye,' he co-founded the alternative medicine curriculum at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Abel explains the reasons behind the growing use of nutritional supplements containing FloraGLO Lutein, a patented form of purified crystalline lutein, for prevention of AMD.
Carlson Laboratories, a leading vitamin company, which produces high quality natural supplement formulas to promote optimal eye health, has incorporated FloraGLO Lutein into formulations specifically created for long-term eye health maintenance and eye disease prevention. John and Susan Carlson were interviewed in this intriguing documentary, discussing nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. These nutrients were cited in the National Eye Institute seven-year Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) for the appropriate therapy in the treatment of AMD and other age-related ocular maladies.
Created by an American Medical Association, award-winning CRW Medical Productions team, 'Eye To Eye' explains the causes and therapies for cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and AMD. These insidious diseases threaten to affect the mobility and livelihoods of the baby boom generation as they grey and progress into the 'senior boom.' By 2020, the over-65 population is expected to more than double from 34 million today to 78 million, reports the Alliance for Aging Research.
The ever-expanding schedule public television stations airing 'Eye To Eye' may be found at www.survivingandwinning.com/Eye/tv/ tvsched.asp.
