DES MOINES, IA -- (August 1, 2006) –  The country’s leading professional group for optometrists is incorporating the concept of good nutrition for good eye health into a new educational outreach program for member eye doctors and their patients

The American Optometric Association’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Section (LVRS) will soon launch a series of professional development instruction forums—Low Vision University—in markets throughout the U.S. Sponsored by Kemin Health in conjunction with LVRS, Low Vision University will instruct doctors of optometry on the latest research and low vision rehabilitative practice methods involved in the care of individuals that are visually impaired from age-related eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.  One key module of the training will involve nutrition and eye health, including research-driven approaches to reducing risk of chronic disease such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) through nutritional regimens.

“We are honored to be a part of this important new national effort in helping more eye health professionals  understand how daily nutrition can impact vision health,” said Andy Martin, marketing director for Kemin Health.  “We’re not only supporting Low Vision University, we’re also creating easy-to-understand nutrition guides for patients to take home and refer to in their daily food and supplement plan.”

Kemin is the manufacturer of FloraGLO Lutein, the leading global lutein ingredient used in many supplement brands.  A number of published studies have linked lutein with reduced risk of AMD and cataract extraction, and have also suggested daily lutein intake of 10 mg or more may help improve some AMD symptoms among certain patients.

Dr. R. Tracy Williams, Chair of the AOA Low Vision Rehabilitation Section, states “we are very excited to be working with Kemin Health to provide educational programs to optometrists throughout the country.  These educational programs will provide optometric practitioners with the latest information concerning the two most beneficial, non-surgical treatments options currently available for age-related vision loss: nutritional supplements and low vision rehabilitation.”

About Kemin and FloraGLO® Lutein
Kemin Health is the producer of FloraGLO Lutein, the natural, crystalline lutein used in leading supplement brands worldwide.  Kemin Health and its ISO 9001:2000 certified production facilities are based in Des Moines, Iowa.  For more information, visit www.luteininfo.com.

About the American Optometric Association (AOA)
The American Optometric Association represents more than 34,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists provide more than two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States and serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country. In 3,500 of those communities they are the only eye doctors.
 
American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
  
Prior to optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree with extensive, required coursework in areas such as advanced health, science and mathematics. Optometry school consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral study concentrating on both the eye and systemic health. In addition to their formal training, doctors of optometry must undergo annual continuing education to stay current on the latest standards of care. For more information, visit www.aoa.org.

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CONTACT:        
Craig Maltby                                        Stephanie D. Brown
Product Manager, Kemin Health           Manager, AOA Low Vision Rehabilitation Section
515.248.4037                                      (314) 983-4225
craig.maltby@kemin.com                      sdbrown@aoa.org