ABSTRACT
It has been recognized for many years that oxidative stress plays a significant role in the etiology of cataract and that dietary antioxidants may play an equally important role in prevention of this common degenerative disease [1, 2]. However, in this respect the flavonoids have received surprisingly little interest, and they are notably absent from recent reviews of nutrition and eye disease [2, 3]. Epidemiological research has established that diets rich in fruit and vegetables are associated with a reduced risk of cataract [4, 5]. However, research spanning epidemiological studies, in vivo and in vitro laboratory investigations, and, latterly, human intervention trials have focused largely on the antioxidant vitamins, with little attention being given to other potentially beneficial micronutrients [2-8]. In this chapter, epidemiological data relating to flavonoids and cataract will be presented and in vivo and in vitro studies investigating the role of flavonoids in prevention of cararact discussed; consideration will also be given to flavonoid metabolism in the lens and the bioavailability of flavonoids to the eye. Initially, a brief overview of the lens and cataract will be presented (a detailed review can be found in Ref. 9).
