kerr optometrists, eye care opticians croydon surrey

Eyesight and the importance of nutrition

Cataract and Age Related Macular Degeneration are the two leading causes of sight loss in the developing world.

The risk of cataract is increased by exposure to oxidative stress such as sunlight and smoking. It is estimated that consuming more anti-oxidants could prevent 30-50% of all cataract. Long-term consumption of vitamin C may substantially reduce the development of age related cataract according to one American study.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is an increasingly common cause of deteriorating vision particularly amongst people with light coloured eyes. Macular degeneration is caused by an accumulation of tissue debris and unwanted products in the retina.

Much of this process is due to oxidative stress, again chiefly in relation to sunlight and smoking. In October 2001 the National Eye Institute published the results of a randomised, placebo-controlled trail (the AREDS study) of high dose supplementation of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and zinc given to patients with ARMD. The AREDS study involved following 3,557 patients for over 6 years. The most notable result was that a combination of vitamins and zinc decreased the progression of ARMD for 25% of patients.

The importance of healthy eating cannot be over emphasised. particularly the consumption of leafy green vegetables and yellow and orange fruit and vegetables. However later in life we may not absorb nutrients as efficiently as we did in our youth, consequently the regular intake of nutritive and vitamin supplements will often be advised by your Optometrist.

For certain patients particular nutritive regimes for say, keratoconus, cataract, macular damage, "dry eye" and even diabetic complications may be appropriate. Please feel free to discuss this with your Optometrist at Kerr Eyecare who will always be pleased to advise as part of our holistic approach to eyecare.

If required, further consultations with a qualified nutritional therapist can be arranged.

Eyesight and the importance of Nutrition - Leaflet in PDF format

Christopher Kerr FSMC, FBOA, FAAO, FC.Optom. Cert. in Ocular Therapeutics (City University)

Combines teaching and research with private practice. Clinical consultant to major industrial and contact lens companies, Health Authorities and many professional bodies. Chairman, Croydon Local Optometric Committee, President British contact Lens Association and previously Senior Optometrist and Director of Contact Lens Services at Mayday University Hospital. Editor: Contact Lens Yearbook. International speaker, broadcaster and author on general optometric and contact lens-related topics. Mayday Healthcare Trust accredited paediatric optometrist.

You can read a recent lecture by given by Christopher at the The Royal Society of Medicine here.

Christopher Kerr & Associates Tel: 020 8688 5076 / 020 8681 2008 Fax: 020 8688 8005
37 LONDON ROAD, WEST CROYDON, CR0 2RE

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