| It is well documented that green tea provides many | | | | glaucoma. The study stated "EGCG was |
| health benefits. Questions have been raised as to | | | | approximately 10 times more potent than trolox |
| whether the consumption of this antioxidant rich | | | | (vitamin E analogue) at attenuating [free radical |
| beverage provides any benefit to the health of the | | | | damage]. The conclusion reached from this study is |
| eyes. | | | | that EGCG is a powerful antioxidant and when |
| The biggest cause of eye problems is stress, whether | | | | injected into the eye with SNP attenuated the |
| internal or external. Stress causes oxidation which is a | | | | detrimental influence of SNP to retinal photoreceptors. |
| chemical reaction that can produce free radicals. Free | | | | Since oxidative stress has been implicated in retinal |
| radicals start chain reactions that damage cells. | | | | diseases like AMD and glaucoma, this study provides |
| An antioxidant is a molecule which is capable of | | | | "proof of principle" for the idea that daily intake of |
| slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. | | | | EGCG may help individuals suffering from retinal |
| Antioxidants have the ability to terminate chain | | | | diseases where oxidative stress is implicated." |
| reactions and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being | | | | In a 2007 study conducted by Chosun University |
| oxidized themselves. Polyphenols are antioxidants that | | | | College of Medicine in Korea scientists discovered that |
| often act as reducing agents by reducing the number | | | | the green tea antioxidant EGCG can protect human |
| of free radicals that can cause damage to healthy | | | | retinas against UV damage. The scientist's report |
| cells. A catechin is a compound of the polyphenol | | | | concluded: "The administration of EGCG increased the |
| family. One of the main components of green tea is a | | | | cell count and the cell activity after UV irradiation in |
| catechin called epigallocatechin-gallate (pronounced as | | | | cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells; this |
| eppy-gallow-CAT-akin gallate), commonly known as | | | | suggests that EGCG provided protection against UV |
| EGCG. EGCG is found in abundance in lightly oxidized | | | | damage in cultured human retinal pigmented epithelial |
| tea such as green tea and white tea. | | | | cells." |
| A 2002 study conducted by the All India Institute of | | | | More recently in a 2010 study conducted by Chinese |
| Medical Sciences found that green tea may protect | | | | University of Hong Kong it was shown that |
| against the formation of cataracts in rats. | | | | antioxidants can be found in the eyes more than 20 |
| A cataract is a clouding that develops in the lens of | | | | hours after they have been consumed. The scientists |
| the eye or in its envelope. The clouding may vary in | | | | were able to show that the lens, retina, and other eye |
| degree from slight to complete opacity which results in | | | | tissues absorb these protective substances, raising the |
| the complete obstruction in the passage of light. | | | | possibility that green tea may protect against |
| Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision | | | | glaucoma and other common eye diseases. One of |
| loss and are potentially blinding if untreated. The | | | | the questions that needed answering was whether the |
| condition usually affects both the eyes, but almost | | | | catechins in green tea actually passed from the |
| always one eye is affected earlier than the other. | | | | stomach and gastrointestinal tract into the tissues of |
| To quote the study: "Cataract is the leading cause of | | | | the eye. The analysis of eye tissues in laboratory rats |
| blindness worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease | | | | that drank green tea showed beyond a doubt that |
| primarily associated with oxidative stress produced by | | | | eye structures absorbed significant amounts of |
| free radicals. The protection offered by various | | | | individual catechins. The report concluded, "our results |
| antioxidants in cataract development is well | | | | indicate that green tea consumption could benefit the |
| established. Polyphenolic compounds present in green | | | | eye against oxidative stress." |
| tea (Camellia sinensis) are reported to possess | | | | Although all of the above studies are preliminary and |
| antioxidant property in various pathological conditions. | | | | do not include human trials, they strongly suggest that |
| The present study was undertaken to evaluate the | | | | EGCG which is found in abundance in green tea may |
| anticataract potential of green tea leaf (GTL) extract | | | | benefit the eyes in the following ways |
| in the development of lens opacification. Green tea | | | | - by preventing cataract formation |
| was also found to reduce the incidence of selenite | | | | - by protecting against age related macular |
| cataract in vivo. The results suggest that green tea | | | | degeneration and glaucoma |
| possesses significant anticataract potential and acts | | | | - by protecting the retina against damage caused by |
| primarily by preserving the antioxidant defense | | | | ultra violet radiation |
| system." | | | | - by protecting the retina, lens and aqueous humor |
| A 2006 study conducted by the Oxford University in | | | | from free radical damage caused by oxidative stress |
| the United Kingdom found that EGCG may protect | | | | References |
| against age related macular degeneration and | | | | Gupta SK, Halder N, Srivastava S, Trivedi D, Joshi S, |
| glaucoma. | | | | Varma SD (2002). Green tea (Camellia sinensis) |
| The cell culture study investigated whether the | | | | protects against selenite-induced oxidative stress in |
| antioxidant EGCG could reduce free radical damage | | | | experimental cataractognesis. Ophthalmic Res. 2002 |
| and therefore alleviate degeneration of the retina as | | | | Jul-Aug;34(4):258-63. |
| occurs in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and | | | | |