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

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.

Study Type

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Masking: Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
• Study Primary Completion Date: April 2012

Detailed Description

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

Interventions

• Dietary Supplement: Starch
  • 1350mg/day
• Dietary Supplement: Lycium Barbarum
  • 1350mg/day

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

• Active Comparator: Placebo
  • Starch
• Experimental: Lycium Barbarum
  • Lycium Barbarum supplement

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

• Lens Opacity Classification System III (LOCSIII)
  • Time Frame: 3 years

Secondary Measures

• Visual Acuity
  • Time Frame: 3 years

Participating in This Clinical Trial

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)

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 60 Years

Maximum Age: 75 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

• Lead Sponsor
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Collaborator
  • The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
• Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
  • Principal Investigator: Chea-su Kee, Associate Professor – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Overall Official(s)
  • Chi-wai Do, PhD, Principal Investigator, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Chea-su Kee, PhD, Principal Investigator, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University