WATERFORD, Ireland,
Oct. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Irish-based research published (Thurs, June
30) in the international journal, Investigative
Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS), holds out the
prospect of even sharper vision for those who already have
good eyesight. Whereas most research in this area has focused on
corrective action for those who have already suffered vision loss
as a result of eye disease, this new study concentrated on those
with strong and healthy eyesight, and yet found marked improvements
in vision among those who received specific dietary supplements
called MacuHealth over a year.
The results of this study have important implications for those
who rely on their vision for professional reasons, such as
high-performance sportspeople (most obviously golfers, hurlers,
cricketers, tennis and baseball players), motorists, train drivers,
pilots, police and military marksmen and those involved in quality
control. The study – entitled CREST (Central Retinal Enrichment
Supplementation Trials) – was conducted by the Macular Pigment
Research Group at Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI). NRCI is
based at Carriganore House in Waterford, and is part of the School of Health
Sciences at Waterford Institute of Technology.
The first rigidly-designed study of its kind, the work was
funded by the European Research Council and involved 105 volunteers
undergoing complex tests of vision over a 12-month period. Of the
105 subjects, 53 received daily supplements while 52 received a
placebo (the control group). The outcome unequivocally demonstrates
that those receiving macular carotenoids – lutein, zeaxanthin and
meso-zeaxanthin [MacuHealth] – enjoyed meaningful benefits to their
visual function. The improvement recorded was primarily in people's
contrast sensitivity – how much contrast a person needs to see a
target (i.e. how faint an object can you see).
Prof John Nolan, Principal
Investigator for the CREST study and founder of the Nutrition
Research Centre Ireland, said: "All of us involved in this
research are tremendously excited about the outcome – not only from
a scientific perspective but also because of the significant
benefits it will have for a wide range of people. Many people may
already consider themselves to have 'good' eyesight, but now
we know that many of these would benefit from appropriate
supplementation.
"To take the example of drivers on our busy roads,
improvements in contrast sensitivity, such as we have seen in our
study population, would allow for earlier and more accurate
detection of moving and non-moving objects in our field of
view, and will therefore improve driving safety.
"Sportspeople – especially those in fast ballgames – also
stand to benefit greatly, and we were delighted to have
Noel Connors, the Waterford senior hurler and All-Star undergo
testing at our vision research centre."
Prof Stephen Beatty, a director
of NRCI, added that there are also significant quality of life
implications emanating from the research findings – "There has
been an understandable focus in research to date on aiding those
with failing eyesight as a result of disease. What this latest work
demonstrates is that people who are free of eye disease (especially
if they are lacking the nutrient in the eye) will experience
improved vision as a result of appropriate supplementation.
"Clearly this will enhance one's quality of life in everyday
activities, such as enjoying a pleasant view, but these
improvements in contrast sensitivity will also make it easier to
read printed text, thereby easing eye strain and fatigue in the
workplace and at home. In short, these findings have important
implications for those seeking maximum visual performance, whether
for work or leisure."
Notes for editors
The publication was prepared by the Waterford-based research team of Prof Nolan;
Prof Beatty; Rebecca Power;
Jessica Dennison; Jim Stack; David
Kelly; Rachel Moran; Kwadwo O
Akuffo and Laura Corcoran and were
joined by Prof Jim Stringham from
the Nutritional Neuroscience Laboratory, Dept of Physiology &
Pharmacology, University of Georgia,
U.S.A.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS) is
an official journal of the Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology, an international organization whose purpose is to
advance research worldwide into understanding the visual system and
preventing, treating and curing its disorders. Included are
original contributions that emphazise clinical and laboratory
hypothesis-based research with statistically valid results that
clearly advance the fields of ophthalmic and vision research.
Logo
- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161010/426854LOGO
PDF -
http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/ENR/IOVS-Investigative-Ophthalmology-Visual-Science-2016-06.pdf
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/macuhealth-reports-waterford-scientists-find-way-to-boost-good-vision-300342090.html
SOURCE MacuHealth LP