Dr. Peter J.E. VerdegemChief Scientific Officer

VisuTein: A powerful protection for age-related eye disorders

The human eye: anatomyThe human eye: anatomy

CataractCataract

Scene with normal vision Scene with cataract vision

Pictures: NEI

GlaucomaGlaucoma

Scene with normal vision Scene with glaucoma vision

Pictures: NEI

Age-related Macula DegenerationAge-related Macula Degeneration

Scene with normal vision Scene with AMD vision

Pictures: NEI

AMD & Amsler gridAMD & Amsler grid

Normal AMD

Eye diseases: current treatmentsEye 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 backgroundCataracts: biological background

DisfunctionalProteases

Accumulation of damaged proteins

Cataract

ProteasesRemoval damaged proteins

ProteinOxidizedProteins

Sun light OH•

O2•– H2O2

GSH peroxidase

CatalaseSOD

Beta-carotene Vitamin E, C

Module 1Module 1 I

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Beta carotene

Directantioxidants

0

0,2

0,4

0,6

0,8

1

1,2

1,4

1,6

1,8

Multivitamins Vitamin C Vitamin E

Jacques, PF; Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 1999; 69:198.

Antioxidants: Studies for Cataract

Module 1Module 1 I

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Mixed carotenoids

Selenium

Zinc

Copper

Vitamin B6

N-acetyl-L-cystein

Directantioxidants

Co-factors forenzymaticantioxidantdefence

Glutathionsynthesisstimulation

Herbal antioxidantsource

Vaccinium myrtillus

Herbal antioxidantsHerbal antioxidants

•Rich in anthocyanosides•Stimulant of visual acuity

Morazzoni, P et al; Fitoterapia 1999; 67:3.

Module 2Module 2 I

Vitamin A

Beta carotene

Important nutrients

Module 3Module 3

Lutein

Zeaxanthin

III

Macula pigments

Macular pigment: lutein and zeaxanthinMacular pigment: lutein and zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin

Lutein

Function•Structural•UV-protection

Source•Dark green leafy

vegetables

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15

0

0,5

1

1,5

2

2,5

Dist from centre (mm)

Macular pigment: lutein and zeaxanthinMacular pigment: lutein and zeaxanthin

Lutein

Zeaxanthin

Landrum; Arch. Bioch. Biophys. (2001); 385:28.

Lutein supplementationLutein supplementation

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

Clinical Study with VisuTEINClinical 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

Dr. Peter J.E. VerdegemChief Scientific Officer