The connection between vision and nutrition goes well beyond the old adage, "eating carrots helps you see in the dark." Macular degeneration, an eye disorder that results in poor vision and blindness, is closely tied to diet, MayoClinic.com reports. Certain vitamins and antioxidants are particularly beneficial to those looking to reduce their risk or delay the progression of macular degeneration.
Background
Macular degeneration occurs when the macula, the most light-sensitive area of the eye, begins to become thin and frail. Over time, macular degeneration can lead to serious vision defects and even blindness. Macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of vision loss in the United States, MayoClinic.com reports. For adults over the age of 65, it causes more cases of blindness than any other cause. Lifestyle factors such as body weight, smoking and diet play significant roles in the progression and onset of macular degeneration.
Oxidation
Although the exact cause of macular degeneration is unclear, oxidation -- damage caused to cells and DNA by renegade free radicals -- contributes, the Salomon Research Group reports. Protective ntioxidants, omega-3 fats, and vitamins obtained from the diet are found in high concentrations in retinal tissue. If you don't get enough of these nutrients that protect the eye from oxidation, the risk of macular degeneration shoots upward. It's a perfect example of, "you are what you eat."
Vitamins
The National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, reports that supplementing with antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, along with the mineral zinc, can slash the risk of macular degeneration by 25 percent. The formula it recommends is known as the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS, formula. It contains 15 mg of beta carotene, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 500 mg of vitamin C. The AREDS formula can be found as a supplement in your local health food store. However, you can choose to supplement with these potent vitamins individually to match the recommended levels. If you already take a multivitamin, the NIH advises that you can continue taking your multivitamin even if you start taking the AREDS formula.
Lutein and Zeathanthin
Lutein and zeathanthin are a tag team of antioxidants from the carotenoid group -- the same family of beta carotene. Lutein and zeathanthin are found in high concentrations in the retina. In fact there's more of these two compounds in the eye than in any area of the body, the American Macular Degeneration Foundation reports. Lutein and zeathanthin protect the eye from damage caused by excessive exposure to light. Unfortuantely, most Americans don't get the lutein and zeoathanthin that they need to protect their eyes, the American Macular Degeneration Foundation adds. Good sources of lutein and zeathanthin include kale, eggs, yellow corn, and brightly colored bell peppers.
Considerations
While the research into vitamins and antioxidants for the treatment and prevention of MD is promising, human clinical trials using supplements are limited. However, eating a diet rich in eye-friendly vitamins and antioxidants does appear to significantly reduce MD risk, claims the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.
