Antioxidants and neurodegenerative eye disease.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review existing evidence on the role of antioxidants in neurodegenerative ocular disorders, particularly glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).
Results Summary
The abstract notes mixed results regarding the adjuvant effect of antioxidants in ARMD and glaucoma, with some studies showing positive outcomes while others were discouraging. The controversy between studies supporting and opposing antioxidant supplementation highlights the need for further evidence.
Population
Individuals with neurodegenerative ocular disorders, specifically glaucoma and ARMD.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
antioxidants through diet or oral supplementation | decrease | harmful effects of reactive oxygen species accumulated secondary to oxidative stress, ischemia, and inflammation | - | - | can counteract the harmful effects | #1 |
antioxidants | neutral | ARMD | - | - | possible adjuvant effect | #2 |
antioxidants | neutral | glaucoma | - | - | potential role | #3 |
antioxidants | increase | - | - | - | demonstrated positive results | #4 |
antioxidants | no change | - | - | - | were discouraging | #5 |
Neurodegenerative ocular disorders mostly develop with aging and present great complications in the quality of life. Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) rank as the third and fourth leading causes of blindness and low vision. Oxidative stress is one factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative eye disease. In addition, ocular ischemia and neuroinflammation play an important role. It can be hypothesized that the influence of antioxidants through diet or oral supplementation can counteract the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species accumulated secondary to oxidative stress, ischemia, and inflammation. A range of studies has been published over the past decades focusing on the possible adjuvant effect of antioxidants in ARMD, while there were fewer reports on the potential role of antioxidants in glaucoma. Although certain reports demonstrated positive results, others were discouraging. As there is a controversy between the studies favoring and disfavoring supplementation with different types of antioxidants, it is important to revise the existing evidence on the role of antioxidants in neurodegenerative ocular disorders with a special focus on glaucoma and ARMD.