The following is a report just completed by H. J. Roberts, M.D., on aspartame and the eye. The text is provided as is FYI. Costas Giannakenas MD, .

The corporate symbol for the NutraSweet Company is blind Mr. Magoo: This seems appropriate in light of the following:

PROFESSIONAL OPINION OF H. J. ROBERTS, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P., CONCERNING THE USE OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET) BY PERSONS WITH EYE PROBLEMS

It is my opinion that individuals who consume products containing aspartame, including drugs and supplements, should avoid them when no specific cause can be found for the eye problems:

• Decreased vision -- including blindness in one or both eyes
• Blurring, "bright-flashes", tunnel vision, "black spots"
• Double vision
• Pain in one or both eyes
• Decreased tears
• Difficulty wearing contact lens
• Unexplained retinal detachment and bleeding

The same precaution is reasonable for persons in whom these complaints are due to other disorders because they could be aggravated by aspartame, even in minimal amounts.

• Surgery of immature cataracts should be deferred in patients who consume aspartame until after abstaining from it for 1-2 months to determine if spontaneous improvement of vision occurs.
• Impaired vision of diabetic patients should not be assumed to be due to diabetic retinopathy without such a no aspartame test trial.
• A similar trial is warranted in persons diagnosed as having "macular degeneration".
• The diagnosis of "early multiple sclerosis" - based on concomitantn eye and neurologic features - should be deferred pending a no aspartame test.

These corporate neutral suggestions are based on considerable observaion, research and correspondence published in more than a score of articles and two books.

• ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET) IS IT SAFE? (Philadelphia, Charles Press)
• SWEET'NER DEAREST: BITTERSWEET VIGNETES ABOUT ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET) (Sun Sentinel Press, P. O. Box 17799, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416, Telephone 1-800-814-9800: Fax 1 407-832-2400)

I also have reviewed these and related problems in my two-cassett talk, IS ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET) SAFE? A MEDICAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND LEGAL OVERVIEW- 1995 (Sunshine Sentinel Press).

These represent hard - won insights in the trenches of a medical practice. Patients and consumers should not be misled by the "negative" conclusions of flawed studies sponsored by vested interests.

There is no bias or malice intended against any company, distributor, researcher or professional who may hold contrary views.

Each of the components of aspartame - phenylalanine (50%); aspartic acid (40%); the methyl ester, which promptly becomes methyl alcohol or methanol (10%) - and their multiple breakdown products after exposure to heat or during prolonged storage is potentially toxic to the retina and optic nerves. These organs are highly vulnerable to metabolic disturbances and neurotoxins because of their unique metabolic requirements. Methanol causes swelling of the optic nerve and degeneration of ganglion cells in the retina.

Particular attention is directed in this regard to (1) the formaldehyde and formate (formic acid) that result from the breakdown of methyl alcohol, a severe metabolic poison, and (2) the D-aspartic acid stereoisomer.

In my publications and in testimony to Congress and FDA advisory group, I have expressed the belief that the current wholesale ingestion of aspartame products by over half the adult population constitutes a probable "imminent public health hazard. My concern is bolstered by (1) evidence that these products may play a causative or aggravating role in many other medical disorders (including headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, impaired hearing, ringing in the ears, convulsions, and probably brain tumors), (2) the flawed nature of most "scientific" studies being used to prove the alleged safety of these products, and (3) reports of serious reactions volunteered to the FDA by over 7,300 irate consumers.

In the present context, these statistics are pertinent.

• In my earlier report on 551 aspartame reactors (the data base is now 833), decreased vision was a major problem in 140 {25.4%), severe pain in 51 (8.3%), and "dry eyes" or trouble wearing contact lens in 48 (8.3%). Sixteen patients have lost vision in one or both eyes.
• The FDA (as of August 1995) had received complaints about a change in vision from 384 consumers, and "eye irritation" from 30.

These complications tend to be magnified in persons with diabetes, hypertension, unrecognized hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar reactions). reaction to MSG, treatment with aspirin and other drugs that can irritate the optic and auditory nerves, persons who smoke or drink alcohol, and problems associated with aging. They become compounded by the threat of falls and driving accidents.

I welcome reports of such reactions and results of the no aspartame test for our independent registry. A 9-page questionnaire can be obtained by calling (407) 832-2408 or FAX (407) 832-2400.

I have also expressed concern that aspartame products might be accelerating Alzheimer's disease. The details appear in my just-published book DEFENSE AGAINST ALZHEIMERS DISEASE: a rational blueprint for prevention (Sunshine Sentinel Press; P. O. Box 17799, West Palm Beach, Florida 1-800-814-9800 FAX 407-832-2400). ©1995 H. J. Roberts, M.D., F.A.C.P, F.C.C.P.