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EDITORIALS: Nigel F Hall and Catharine R Gale Prevention of age related macular degeneration BMJ 2002; 325: 1-2 [Full text]

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Can smoking cessation prevent blindness?

Simon Chapman   (9 July 2002)

An Antioxidant Resolution For Macular Degeneration

Bill Misner Ph.D.   (12 July 2002)

Can smoking cessation prevent blindness? 9 July 2002
Simon Chapman, Professor of Public Health University of Sydney Send response to journal: Re: Can smoking cessation prevent blindness?	Drawn to the title of this editorial (Prevention of age related macular degeneration), I was disappointed to see that it in fact was merely a commentary on the efficacy of vitamin E supplementation in preventing AMD. In Australia, we have estimated that there are currently almost 100 000 people with late stage AMD, of which around 20 000 may have AMD directly attributable to smoking. Further, we estimate that there are currently more than 8200 Australians whose blindness from late stage AMD can be attributed to smoking [1]. While I am aware of no trials of smoking cessation or prevention interventions that have considered AMD as an outcome, the epidemiological data is compelling and as such deserves greater prominence. 1. Mitchell P, Chapman S, Smith W. Smoking is a major cause of blindness. Med J Aust1999; 171:173-174. http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/171_4_160899/mitchell/mitchell.html
An Antioxidant Resolution For Macular Degeneration 12 July 2002
Bill Misner Ph.D., Director R & D E-CAPS INC. Send response to journal: Re: An Antioxidant Resolution For Macular Degeneration	A number of us recognize the increasing evidence that suggests that cumulative oxidative damage increases risk of age related macular degeneration. A colleague, Dr. Stanley B. Covert M.D., has demonstrated clinically with remarkable success using intravenous glutathione, at 1.0- 1.5 grams 15-25 minutes slow-push rate. Dr. Covert has measured recorded pre-treatment and post-dose 40-70% physical visual field gains. It is unfortunate that the data he has collected has not been assembled for journal review. Do the subjects he treats continue to improve with dose? Yes, but improvement progress appears to be dose- dependant, though this statement requires more accurate review. Perhaps the antioxidants discussed reduce the rate of cumulative oxidation damage, but not as effective as the endogenous stores of glutathione. Glutathione depletion occurs slowly with age with delays in repletion diet or genetically dependant. Intravenous glutathione treatment may be the "right" antioxidant for reversing the effects of macular degeneration. The author has no competing interests.