Results from a newly published study suggest that free radical damage may be part of the mechanism involved in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) (a disease in which cells in the cornea are destroyed, clouding vision and eventually blocking it completely).

Until now, there has been little understanding of the etiology behind this.  Dr. Jurkunas and colleagues examined corneal tissue removed from FECD patients, and found that it contained lower levels of antioxidants and higher DNA damage than in normal corneal cells.  Further research will go on to test what types of antioxidants are best able to prevent the damage.

In the meanwhile, Dr. Jurkunas recommends that patients at risk for FECD eat leafy green vegetables, take multivitamins and wear UV protective sunglasses.

For more information on this research, click here ^[1]

For the American Journal of Pathology abstract, click here ^[2]

Risa Schulman, PhD
Expert, Healthy Food and Dietary Supplement Science, Marketing and Regulatory
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