Nutrition News

ANAHEIM, Calif. – John J. Cannell, MD, medical director of the Vitamin D Council, illustrated the importance of vitamin D and lack of a consensus on its significance across all areas of medicine here at the Ocular Nutrition Society meeting.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Scott Schachter, OD, reported here at the American Academy of Optometry that he uses HydroEye (ScienceBased Health) in his practice because a peer-reviewed paper showed improvement in both signs and symptoms of dry eye within 2 months.

Early detection, timely treatment and appropriate follow-up care are the only ways to prevent vision loss from diabetes, according to the National Eye Institute. In recognition of November as National Diabetes Month, read on for five stories to help facilitate early detection and increase awareness.

A single center study demonstrated that patients with vitamin D deficiency should be further evaluated if they have syndromes causing dry eye and that dry eye patients be tested for vitamin D deficiency.

LAS VEGAS – Abbott Medical Optics announced here at Vision Expo West its launch of Blink Eye Vitamins and Blink Lid Wipes.

LAS VEGAS – Whitney Hauser, OD, discusses how she’s using HydroEye (ScienceBased Health) in her practice. She said the supplement contains both omega-3s and omega-6. One component of omega-6 is GLA, which is specific for dryness, improves aqueous production in patients and comfort in Sjögren’s and contact lens patients.

Researchers confirmed the improvement in the signs and symptoms for dry eye after 12 weeks and support the recommendation that dietary supplementation of re-esterified omega-3 fatty acids should be included as a primary therapy, according to a study in Cornea.

Lutein, zeaxanthin and mesozeaxanthin supplementation improved macular pigment optical density in patients with age-related macular degeneration and healthy controls, according to a meta-analysis involving 20 randomized controlled trials.

In the past 10 to 12 years, clinicians have increasingly been prescribing the macular carotenoids in supplement form to stop progression of age-related macular degeneration or as a preventive measure for those at risk of AMD.

Researchers found that in subjects free of retinal disease and with low macular pigment, supplementation with a formulation containing carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and mesozeaxanthin resulted in measurable improvements in vision, according to a study in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.