Masquelier's OPCs and Eye Health

With advancing age, our bodily functions deteriorate. This process particularly affects vision, in part because of the influence of free radicals on the extremely delicate structures of the eye. But most certainly, today’s eyes are also very much affected by uninterruptedly staring at cellphone, tablet, computer and TV screens. People begin to notice their deteriorating eyesight not only when the images become less sharp, but also when they experience impairment of night vision.
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With advancing age, our bodily functions deteriorate. This process particularly affects vision, in part because of the influence of free radicals on the extremely delicate structures of the eye. But most certainly, today’s eyes are also very much affected by uninterruptedly staring at cellphone, tablet, computer and TV screens. People begin to notice their deteriorating eyesight not only when the images become less sharp, but also when they experience impairment of night vision. OPCs protect the eyes against excessive strain as well as against the consequences of too much or too little light. Too much light, such as with an unprotected glance at the sun, is as damaging to the eye as is the long-term exposure to insufficient light. This is the case for people who work or drive at night or in the dark.

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The eye is particularly subject to vascular degeneration because the vascular system in the eye is not embedded in muscular fibers. When it comes to vascularization, the eye very much resembles the brain. Once the main artery has entered the eye, it gradually loses its elastic outer coating and muscular fibers. What remains of the vascular wall is its core structure, which consists of collagen fibers and the glucosaminoglycans. As in the brain, this makes the eye extremely sensitive to problems that affect the vascular structure. High blood pressure, free radicals, regular intake of aspirin (salicylates) and/ or antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), overexposure to sunlight, and diabetes easily affect the eye’s vascular system. The fact that the structure of the eye itself is extremely fragile makes it necessary that the nourishment of these fine structures takes place through an equally fine vascular structure. Add to this the precision that is required of the “instrument eye,” and you’ll understand how easily vision and eye health become impaired and why Masquelier's OPCs can be of help.

A study conducted in France in 1988 showed that decreased vision in people driving at night or working at monitors was improved by up to 98 percent after OPCs had been taken for a period of four weeks. Otherwise healthy test subjects, not suffering from eye defects or eye disease, were tested for the effects of OPCs on their eyesight. These people were chosen from two groups: motorists/night drivers and screen watchers. They took 200 mg of OPCs per day. After four weeks, their resistance to blinding was measured, as was their eyesight in dim light. Ninety-eight out of 100 people who participated in the test showed an improvement. [I]

Retinopathy is the decay of the retina, which is the inside “background screen” of the eye on which the lens projects it’s images. The term retinopathy covers many afflictions, which all relate to problems with this screen that actively translates the images it receives through the lens and transfers them to the optic nerve, which “wires” the pictures to the brain. The retina is an extremely precise and delicate tissue, rich in numerous very tiny capillaries, feeding the fine structures of the retina. Evidently, vascular problems compromise the retina’s functioning and lead to vision impairment, which manifests itself strongly in diabetics.

Masquelier's OPCs and retinopathy – the studies

* The effects of a recommended daily dosage of OPCs were measured in 147 retinopathy patients (1978). The researchers concluded that OPC acts as a “trump card” in the treatment of all cases of exudations linked to ischemia that are of a diabetic, arteriosclerotic, inflammatory, degenerative, and myopic nature. [ii]

* In 1981, the effects of OPCs were investigated again on 26 diabetic retinopathy patients. During 5 to 21 weeks (average 51 days), they took 100 mg of OPCs per day. The researchers concluded that, especially in cases of developing diabetic retinopathy, taking OPCs indisputably has a favorable effect, especially on unduly widened small blood vessels (microaneurysms) and deposits in the tissues of fluid containing proteins and cellular remains that has escaped from the blood (exudates). [iii]

* Once again, in 1982, researchers observed 30 diabetic retinopathy patients who suffered from aneurysms, hemorrhages, exudation, and neovascularization after a period of insufficient oxygen supply caused by capillary failure. The recommended daily dosage was 3 x 50 mg of OPCs. The results were again significant: In 80 percent of the cases it was possible to stabilize lesions in the retina. [iv]

Microvascular complications, such as retinopathy, are especially a problem for people who suffer from diabetes. The long-term consequences of diabetes involve the decay of the entire vascular system. Degeneration of the coronary arteries can lead to heart attacks. Degeneration of the cerebral arteries can lead to stroke, and degeneration of the arteries in the legs can lead to gangrene. Neuropathy (nerve damage) occurs mainly in the feet, causing ulcers that are difficult or impossible to treat and even necrotic tissue. In some cases, toes and the lower parts of the legs need to be amputated. Further complicating cardiovascular health is the propensity of diabetics to develop atherosclerosis.

OPCs form the natural nutritional factor in the management of these (micro-) vascular problems. OPCs do not play a role in the dietetic management aimed at keeping normal blood levels of sugar and fat. In that sense, OPCs do not replace insulin and no attempts must be made to use OPCs for this purpose. In the case of diabetes, OPCs’ role is confined to supporting the vascular system to resist the vascular effects of this condition. In fact, the results obtained in the management of diabetic retinopathy are part of an endless stream of scientific studies aimed at investigating and verifying the effects of OPCs in the broad field of vascular health. A field that encompasses various disorders caused by capillary fragility, such as, hemorrhoids, bruises, increased tendency to bleeding, bleeding gums and other vein-related disorders including varicose veins, heavy legs, edema, burning, pricking, itching or tingling in the legs, restless legs, swellings, spider veins and pinpoint hemorrhages. Unrelated as these conditions may seem at first sight, they do have one common factor, which is: dysfunction of the microvasculature. And that's precisely where Masquelier's OPCs were shown to be of benefit.

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[i] Sens lumineux et circulation choriorétinienne. Etude de l’effet des O.P.C. (Endotelon). Ch. Corbé, J.P. Boissin, A. Siou. J. Fr. Ophtalmol. 1988, 11. 5. 453-460.
[ii] Rétinopathies et O.P.C. par MM. Ph. Vérin, A. Vildy et J.F. Maurin. Bordeaux Médicale, 1978, 11, no 16, p. 1467.
[iii] Les oligomères procyanidoliques dans le traitement de la fragilité capillaire et de la rétinopathie chez les diabètiques. A propos de 26 cas. par M. Fromantin. Méd. Int. - Vol. 16 - no 11 - Novembre 1981 - pp. 432 à 434.
[iv] Contribution à l’étude des oligomères procyanidoliques: Endotélon, dans la rétinopathie diabétique à propos de 30 observations. J.L. Arne. Gaz. Med. de France - 89, no 30 du 8-X-1982.