Positive Health Online

Abstract

GRAHN and colleagues, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada, Bruce.Grahn@usask.ca, reviewed (165 references) literature concerning the importance of zinc (Zn) and Zn deficiency in normal ocular function and chronic eye diseases respectively.

Background

The trace element zinc (Zn), which influences cell metabolism through a variety of mechanisms, appears to be vital for maintaining normal ocular function . Ocular tissues, particularly the retina and choroid, contain high concentrations of Zn . In a number of species, Zn deficiency has been shown to result in gross, ultrastructural and electrophysiological ocular manifestations . The physiological functions of Zn have been studied mainly in retina and retinal pigment epithelium, where Zn is believed to: interact with taurine and vitamin A; modify photoreceptor plasma membranes; regulate the light-rhodopsin reaction; modulate synaptic transmission; and serve as an antioxidant.

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References

Grahn BH et al. Zinc and the eye. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 20 (2 Suppl): 106-18. Apr 2001.