Dr. Peter J.E. Verdegem Chief Scientific Officer

VisuTein: A powerful protection for age-related eye disorders

The human eye: anatomy

A trip through the eye

42% 23% 16% 14% 5% Cataract Degenerative diseases Trachoma Glaucoma Nyctalopia Different causes of blindness in the world Data: WHO

Cataract Scene with normal visionScene with cataract vision Pictures: NEI

Glaucoma Scene with normal visionScene with glaucoma vision Pictures: NEI

Age-related Macula Degeneration Scene with normal visionScene with AMD vision Pictures: NEI

AMD & Amsler grid Normal AMD

Eye diseases: current treatments Cataract –Lens extraction AMD –Laser surgery Glaucoma –Drug therapy –Laser surgery –Conventional surgery Cataract –Lens extraction AMD –Laser surgery Glaucoma –Drug therapy –Laser surgery –Conventional surgery Prevention

Cataracts: biological background Disfunctional Proteases Accumulation of damaged proteins Cataract Proteases Removal damaged proteins Protein Oxidized Proteins Sun lightOH O 2 – H2O2H2O2 GSH peroxidase Catalase SOD Beta-carotene Vitamin E, C

Multi Action System Protection against oxidative stress Important nutrients Ingredients for specific eye diseases

Module 1 I Vitamin C Vitamin E Beta carotene Direct antioxidants

0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1 1,2 1,4 1,6 1,8 MultivitaminsVitamin CVitamin E Jacques, PF; Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 1999; 69:198. Antioxidants: Studies for Cataract

Intake Studies for cataracts Relative Risk CarotenoidsLuteinCarotene

Module 1 I Vitamin C Vitamin E Mixed carotenoids Selenium Zinc Copper Vitamin B6 N-acetyl-L-cystein Direct antioxidants Co-factors for enzymatic antioxidant defence Glutathion synthesis stimulation Herbal antioxidant source Vaccinium myrtillus

Herbal antioxidants Rich in anthocyanosides Stimulant of visual acuity Morazzoni, P et al; Fitoterapia 1999; 67:3.

Module 2 I Vitamin A Beta carotene Important nutrients

Module 3 Lutein Zeaxanthin III Macula pigments

Macular pigment: lutein and zeaxanthin Zeaxanthin Lutein Function Structural UV-protection Source Dark green leafy vegetables

,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 Dist from centre (mm) Macular pigment: lutein and zeaxanthin Lutein Zeaxanthin Landrum; Arch. Bioch. Biophys. (2001); 385:28.

Lutein supplementation Landrum, J et al; Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2000; 72:844.

Clinical Study with VisuTEIN Louisiana Retinal Institute Dry AMD patients Study versus OcuVite Improvements –Recovery from a flash –Contrast sensitivity –Visual Acuity Louisiana Retinal Institute Dry AMD patients Study versus OcuVite Improvements –Recovery from a flash –Contrast sensitivity –Visual Acuity

Lutein and visual acuity in AMD 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% LuteinPlacebo Worse Equal Better Massacesi, AL et al; Invest. Opth. Vis. Sci 2001; 42:S234.

Multi Action System Providing nutrients Improving actuity Antioxidant protection

Dr. Peter J.E. Verdegem Chief Scientific Officer