| Summary: | The prevalence of many eye diseases, including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, is expected to increase and has become leading causes of irreversible vision loss in the elderly population. Recent experimental and clinical studies have increased awareness of the potential health benefits of polyphenol consumption, including for the prevention of chronic eye diseases. This review focuses on recent findings regarding the beneficial effects of polyphenols for treatment/prevention of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and discusses possible mechanisms of action. The results of studies presented in this review show that polyphenols suppress formation of reactive oxygen species, increase antioxidant defense systems, ameliorate pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decrease vascular endothelial growth factor in retinal cells and ocular tissues. Based on these results, polyphenols may be an effective and safe component of functional foods used to address chronic eye disease.
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