First cause of blindness in the world, macular degeneration associated

Macular degeneration associated with age (DMAE) It is the first cause of blindness in people over 65 in developed countries and, according to the World Health Organization, already affects about 200 million people worldwide. 5.3% of people over 50 suffer from it, assuming this figure 1’5% of the Spanish population, about 700,000 affected.

It is an degenerative alteration of the macula (the central part of the retina), responsible for the central vision. What initially begins as an accumulation of waste material in the layers of the retina, can end up causing the atrophy of it or the development of a scar that destroys the central part of the retina.

We interviewed Dr. Julio Méndez, an ophthalmology doctor with more than 51 years of clinical practice. Doctor of Medicine and expert in refractive surgery, he has the Gold Medal of the Canary Society of Ophthalmology and knows perfectly the impact of DMAE on health.

Dr. Méndez, what exactly is the DMAE?

Macular degeneration related to age, or DMAE, is a degenerative disease in which we find morphological changes that affect different planes of the rear layers of the retina: the pigmentary epithelium of the retina (EPR), the layer of photoreceptors and the Coriocapilar.

What is the cause of the DMAE?

We do not know the exact causes of this disease but we do know what are the factors that increase the risk of developing it:

- Genetic heritage. It is known that multiple genes interact with each other favoring the DMAE

- Age. It is the factor of greatest relevance, at the highest age, the greatest probability of developing DMAE.

- Improves the quality of life of people suffering from migraines.

- Smoking.

- Arterial hypertension.

- Diabetes mellitus (type 1 and type 2).

- Hypercholesterolemia.

Are there different types of DMAE?

The DMAE is classified into two types: dry or atrophic and neovascular or exudative.

The atrophic form is more frequent than the exudative. It is produced by the accumulation of waste (yellowish or druse deposits) that atrophies the macular area.

The exudative form is faster and worse prognosis for the growth of new vessels that bleed and compromise vision.

What symptoms do a person with DMAE?

The fundamental symptom of the atrophic DMAE is the progressive and slow loss of the central visual function, which could be expressed in a diverse way:

- Towed or distorted vision of objects.

- Appearance of black spots in the central vision, which do not change position.

- Decrease or loss of central vision: difficulty in reading, watching television or to recognize people's faces.

What role do nutraceutics play in the DMAE approach?

The study on age -related eye diseases (Areds)¹ Evaluated in 2001 the use of nutritional accessories to reduce the risk of developing DMAE. He concluded that the action of vitamins C and E, copper and zinc, were beneficial to stop the progression of this disease.

In 2006, the same research group began a second study called Areds2²To determine if they could improve the formulation of the ARIs. They found that luteine and zeaxanthin increased the density of the macular pigment and could improve the contrast and visual acuity.

Multiple studies, such as Lutaga ³, they have endorsed the use of omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), through diet or supplementation, in the prevention and decrease of the progression of the DMAE.

Finally, it should be noted that in recent years, much progress has been made in the study of the benefits of saffron, which increase blood flow in the retina and choroid, thus improving oxygenation, and consequently the DMAE ⁴.

Bioksan, launches the Ophthalmux® market, a food complement based on omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), vitamins B and E, luteine, zeaxantine, saffron patented extract (Affroneye®), copper and zinc. Designed to contribute to the maintenance of vision under normal conditions.