Original photo by PullaoSpinach, noted for making cartoon sailor Popeye strong, may also help to ward off a common cause of blindness.
A team at the University of Manchester believe eating the vegetable may protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Their theory is based on the fact that spinach, and several other vegetables, contain lutein, a chemical which helps form a key protective eye pigment.
The Manchester team plan a study to test their theory.
Source - BBC News
For certain patients with wet macular degeneration in Manchester, treatment is available in Manchester that can prevent further visual loss and in certain circumstances, may even produce an improvement in visual acuity. These treatments are called "Anti-VEGF" therapy.
ReplyDeleteIn wet macular degeneration, a chemical is produced by the retina called VEGF (Vascular endothelial Growth Factor). This chemical has properties that promote the development of "new vessels" under the retina. These new vessels occur right under the centre of the retina and can damage the overlying retina and because this process occurs at the centre of the vision, it has a profound effect on sight. The blood vessels may leak fluid into the normally dry retina, or they may even bleed causing scarring at the centre. These events can profoundly effect the vision.