The National Eye Institute notes that age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older. Advanced age-related macular degeneration cannot be cured. Treatments focus on preserving vision by delaying and preventing progression of the disease from early and intermediate stages to the advanced stage. Research conducted by the National Eye Institute shows that vitamin and mineral supplements as well as dietary changes can help prevent vision loss in macular degeneration.
Antioxidants
A large scale study by the the National Eye Institute called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS, uncovered a combination of high-dose antioxidant-type vitamins that significantly reduces the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration. This formulation may slow or prevent vision loss in patients with early stage macular degeneration and those at high risk for the disease due to family history. According to MayoClinic.com, individuals with macular degeneration in one eye may be able to preserve the vision of the other eye by following this vitamin regimen.
Participants in the study received 500mg of vitamin C, 400 international units of vitamin E and 15mg of beta-carotene daily. This amount of beta-carotene is equivalent to 25,000 IU of vitamin A daily. According to the National Eye Institute, these high levels are difficult to obtain from diet alone and most multivitamin formulations do not contain the very high levels of antioxidant vitamins used in this study. Discuss your vitamin regimen with a health care provider.
Zinc and Copper
Participants in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study also received per day 80mg of zinc as zinc oxide and 1mg of copper as cupric oxide. Copper was included in the formulation to reduce the risk of copper deficiency anemia, a condition that may occur when zinc levels in the body are elevated.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Research at the Schepens Eye Research Institute, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, has found that consumption of two carotenoid pigments called lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the risk for age-related macular degeneration. These pigments give vegetables their colors and are highest in broccoli, corn, squash, orange peppers and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. Kiwi fruit, grapes, spinach, orange juice and zucchini also contain substantial amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin.
