Macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60 in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. There are two types of macular degeneration -- dry AMD, which causes a more gradual vision loss, and wet AMD, which leads to a more severe and sudden loss of vision. Medications or laser treatments may slow the progression of wet AMD, but no FDA-approved medical treatment exists for dry AMD. High-dose vitamin supplements with specific antioxidants, however, have been found to delay and/or prevent progression to the more visually devastating wet AMD. If you have macular degeneration, you should speak with your ophthalmologist about vitamins that may help with your condition.
Beta-Carotene and Vitamin A
Vitamin A can improve dry eyes or eye inflammation, as noted on AllAboutVision. Vitamin A can also play a role in slowing the progression of macular degeneration. A large clinical study called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS, showed that a high-dose antioxidant vitamin combination including vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene decreased the risk of macular degeneration in patients with intermediate disease, according to the National Eye Institute. Beta-carotene is the precursor to vitamin A; both vitamin A and beta-carotene can be obtained through the diet through either animal or plant-based products. Both beta-carotene and vitamin A can be found in supplements. You should discuss supplementation with your eye doctor because too much vitamin A can lead to toxicity; ex-smokers should not take beta-carotene because it is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in these patients, according to The Eye Digest.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another antioxidant vitamin that was included in the AREDS formula that may slow down the progression of macular degeneration in some patients. Vitamin C may also reduce the risk of cataract development, as reported on AllAboutVision. This vitamin can be found in foods; however, the amount that was included in the study was five times the amount that you would consume in an average diet, according to The Eye Digest. The supplements used to prevent progression of this disease include 500 milligrams of vitamin C.
Vitamin E
The antioxidant vitamin E was also included in the AREDs formula. Sunflower seeds and nuts are good sources of vitamin E, according to AllAboutVision. However, the dose of vitamin E that was used in the combination for macular degeneration was about 13 times the recommended daily allowance, as reported by the Eye Digest. Because of this, supplementation would be the only way to achieve the appropriate amount. High levels of vitamin E have been associated with excessive bleeding; taking high levels of vitamin E without consulting your physician could cause significant health risks.
Zinc and Copper
Zinc is another mineral that can play a role in the progression of AMD. The AREDs formula included 80 milligrams of zinc oxide, as noted on the Eye Care America website. The researchers added 2 milligrams of copper to the combination because high levels of zinc intake could cause a copper deficiency anemia, according to National Eye Institute.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Two other antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, may also help protect your eyes from developing macular degeneration, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These substances provide the red, yellow or orange color in vegetables and are thought to protect your retina from ultraviolet sunlight. Lutein and zeaxanthin can be found in spinach, corn and egg yolks. Some formulations of AREDs vitamins may contain lutein and zeaxanthin, although the original AREDs study did not study their effect. Supplements that contain only these two antioxidants are also available, notes The Eye Digest.
References
- National Eye Institute: Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- All About Vision: Vitamin A and Beta Carotene: Eye Benefits
- All About Vision: Vitamin E and Minerals: Nutrition From Nuts
- The Eye Digest, University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary: Nutrition and Vision
- Eye Care America: Antioxidant Supplements and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
