ABSTRACT
The biological mechanisms by which carotenoids could protect the human eye
against degenerative conditions of aging such as cataract and macular degene-
ration are described in chapter 22 (1). In the present chapter, epidemiologic
evidence to evaluate a protective influence on these common eye conditions of
aging and on other adult eye diseases is discussed. Epidemiology provides
perspective about whether the influence of carotenoids on eye pathology can be
generalized from the short term conditions used in experiments in culture dishes
and in animals to longer time periods in people under a variety of environ-
mental conditions and genetic make-ups. Further, results of epidemiologic
studies form the basis to predict how important these influences are likely to be,
relative to other general lifestyle or diet factors that influence disease risk.
Evidence from both clinical trials and observations in large populations will be
discussed.
