Effects of Lycium Barbarum Supplements on the Progression of Senile Cataract in Hong Kong Chinese Population

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University238 enrolled

Overview

With the rapid growing aging population, age-related eye diseases including cataract are becoming more prevalent. The demand for cataract surgery and post-surgical care posed enormous financial burdens to the government. Lycium barbarum contains lutein and zeaxanthin which can filter the phototoxic blue light and neutralize the reactive oxygen species, thus provide a protective effect against cataract formation. This study aims to determine the effects of Lycium barbarum Supplements on the progression of senile cataract in Hong Kong Chinese elderly.

Please note that a manuscript for this study is being prepared. Detailed description will be provided after we come up with the final draft.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

238

Conditions

Lens Opacity

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsMax age: 75 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Unlikely to have cataract surgery within 3 years * Presence of mild to moderate cataract in one or both eyes, graded by Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCSIII). * logMAR acuity equivalent to Snellen acuity of 20/63 or better * no previous history and clinical signs of glaucoma by determining intraocular pressure using applanation Tonometry (no more than 22mmHg) * no ocular anomalies: amblyopia, binocular anomalies, ocular trauma * no history of eye surgery, laser treatment, iritis, retinal crystalline deposits, macular degeneration, or optic nerve diseases * no extended use of systemic or ocular corticosteroid drugs * no concurrent participation of other systemic or ocular drug intervention study Exclusion Criteria: * diabetes mellitus * renal failure * fat malabsorption syndrome * intestinal surgery history * chronic diarrhea * alcoholism * use of anticoagulants * regular use of nutritional supplements such as multi-vitamin, mineral and other antioxidant supplements (including Omega-3)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Lens Opacity Classification System III (LOCSIII)

Time frame: 3 years

Secondary Outcomes

Visual Acuity