What are the roles of antioxidants in eye health?
For Phytocea by Léa Bathily, Dietitian
With age and increasing exposure to various environmental factors, our eyes can be susceptible to health problems, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Fortunately, we can rely on natural and effective agents to protect our eyes: antioxidants. In this article, we will explore the crucial roles of antioxidants in eye health.
What factors impair our vision?
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and screens
Prolonged exposure to UV rays , whether from sunlight or artificial sources like UV lamps, can damage the cells of the retina, the photoreceptors. This increases the risk of developing eye problems such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) . AMD is a common eye condition in people over 50, characterized by the progressive deterioration of the macula, a small part of the retina responsible for central vision. Over time, this deterioration can lead to a loss of central vision, making reading, driving, and other essential activities difficult. Therefore, it is crucial to wear sunglasses with adequate UV protection to filter out these harmful rays.
Furthermore, we are spending more and more time in front of screens, and blue light also impacts our eye health. Indeed, according to ANSES (the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety), overexposure to screens may even contribute to an increased risk of dry eye and cataracts. Cataracts are one of the most common eye diseases, especially among the elderly. They are characterized by the clouding of the lens, the eye's natural lens, leading to blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty perceiving colors.
An unbalanced diet
An unbalanced diet and one poor in essential nutrients can also harm eye health because it can involve insufficient consumption of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein or zeaxanthin.
Smoking and other environmental factors
Smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing serious eye problems such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the blood vessels in the eyes and impair blood flow to the retina.
Furthermore, the environment in which we live can also impact the health of our eyes. Exposure to air pollutants, industrial chemicals, and allergens can lead to eye irritation.
Free radicals, the main players in the degradation of the eye
What are free radicals?
Free radicals , or reactive oxygen species (ROS), are unstable molecules that form naturally in our bodies due to various internal and external factors, such as stress, UV exposure, and smoking. These reactive molecules can cause cellular damage, including damage to photoreceptors and blood vessels in the eyes. Although our bodies have defense mechanisms to neutralize these free radicals, an imbalance between their production and elimination can cause oxidative damage, also known as oxidative stress, which can affect our organs, including our eyes.
What are the impacts of free radicals on our eyes?
Our eyes are sensitive organs constantly exposed to light and oxygen, making them vulnerable to damage from free radicals. Oxidative stress can damage eye structures, including the retina at the back of the eye, the lens, and the cornea, contributing to the development of various eye diseases. In the retina, photoreceptors, such as rods and cones, are particularly susceptible to free radical damage. An excessive buildup of free radicals can damage retinal cells, disrupting the transmission of visual signals to the brain. This can lead to conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Furthermore, chronic exposure to free radicals can also damage the proteins in the lens. The lens is a transparent structure located behind the iris of the eye, responsible for focusing images onto the retina. The oxidative stress caused by free radicals leads to a progressive clouding of the lens, known as a cataract. Cataracts cause blurred vision and may require surgery to restore sight.
Antioxidants help fight oxidative stress
Our bodies have enzymatic systems that neutralize free radicals. One such system is glutathione , a compound naturally produced in our bodies that enables the biochemical reduction of free radicals and thus their elimination. Glutathione is said to have an antioxidant effect. Furthermore, antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals and prevent them from damaging cells. We can also obtain antioxidants through our diet, particularly through fruits and vegetables .
Scientific studies have demonstrated that certain antioxidants, in particular, play a crucial role in protecting our eyes against the harmful effects of oxidation. This is specifically demonstrated in the AREDS 1 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) , a major clinical trial conducted by the National Eye Institute in the United States. The primary objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of certain vitamins and minerals in preventing or slowing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The results of this study showed that antioxidant and zinc supplementation significantly reduced the risk of progression of advanced AMD by 25% over a five-year period.
What are the best antioxidants for preserving eye health?
Vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin are particularly beneficial for eye health. Vitamins C and E, in particular, are powerful antioxidants that protect the cells of the cornea and lens. They help prevent protein oxidation in these tissues and maintain their optimal function. These vitamins can also reduce the risk of developing and slow the progression of cataracts. These antioxidants protect the lens proteins from oxidative damage, thus helping to maintain optical clarity.
Furthermore, zinc is also an essential mineral for eye health. It is abundant in the retina and the choroid, the vascular layer of the eye. Zinc plays a crucial role in the production of melanin, a pigment that protects retinal cells from light damage.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids found in the retina, particularly in the macula. They act as a shield by filtering potentially damaging blue light before it reaches the retina. This protective action is essential to prevent oxidative damage and thus protect the macula from age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Phytocea offers you a highly effective eye-focused food supplement
We cannot necessarily avoid all the phenomena that contribute to the deterioration of our eyes, and for those who have difficulty obtaining enough antioxidants through diet alone, dietary supplements may be a wise option.
At Phytocea , we have developed ORetine, a cutting-edge nutraceutical food supplement specially formulated to support eye health. This innovative product is composed of ingredients whose beneficial effects are supported by scientific literature.
Indeed, ORetin is composed of powerful antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10, and glutathione. These compounds play a vital role in combating oxidative stress, thus optimally preserving eye health.
ORetine also contains extracts of marigold flower, which provide an optimal dose of lutein, grape seed oil (OPC), and bilberry, which are rich in carotenoids. These elements help maintain adequate levels of pigment in the retina, thus promoting healthy vision. Furthermore, to maximize the effectiveness of our formula, we have included a concentrated extract of Haematococcus pluvialis algae, providing a source of astaxanthin, which is also a powerful antioxidant.
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If you would like to learn more about the role of dietary supplements in maintaining eye health, we invite you to read the following article: How to choose your eye supplement? Mistakes to avoid...
Sources
ANSES opinion on lens protection
AREDS Studies
