ABSTRACT
Age-related cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are two of the leading causes of visual impairment in older Americans. Cataracts cloud the lens and impair the entry of light into the eye. AMD results in the loss of central vision due to impingement on the macula, which is responsible for absorption of short wavelengths of light. (See Figure 62.1 for anatomy of the eye.) Studies in animal models indicate a possible role for oxidative mechanisms in the development of both cataract and AMD. Available epidemiological data are derived primarily from observational studies and generally suggest small to moderate benefits for antioxidant nutrients in reducing the risks of cataract and AMD.
