MACULAR DEGENERATION

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe visual loss and blindness in the world. This ocular disease, like many others, progresses due to mechanisms linked to oxidative stress. Indeed, patients with AMD were found to have more oxidative modifications to DNA and proteins in the Bruch’s membrane, drusen, and retinal epithelium compared to healthy individuals of the same age. Antioxidants therefore represent the first line of defense to prevent this disease or slow its progression.

There are two types of AMD, dry and wet. The dry form, also called atrophic, progresses due to the degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) and photoreceptors. The wet form, or exudative, is due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) directed to the subretinal macular region. This causes fluid leakage, and it is the fastest progressing form of AMD. It is important to note that while 80% of patients have dry AMD it can evolve into wet AMD. Moreover, the pathophysiology of AMD is linked to genetic predispositions as well as a number of risk factors which include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, exposure to UV light, and age.

As AMD is considered incurable at the moment, several controllable factors can be adjusted to slow the progression of the disease or prevent it. Of those factors, the two most important are protecting the eye from ultraviolet (UV) light and obtaining the right nutrients, notably with antioxidant supplementation, which has already shown promising potential to slow the spread of the disease.

Lutevax Macula Pro aims to have a dual action with ingredients that promote efficient metabolism with antioxidant activity and that protect the eyes from UV light.