Macular degeneration is a condition that results when the cells in the macula deteriorate or when abnormal blood vessels grow and leak under the macular tissue. The macula sits on the retina, the sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye, providing the central vision you use for reading and driving. Advanced macular degeneration causes severe, permanent vision loss. Certain vitamins, when given in specific dosages, may help prevent this vision-threatening condition.
ARED Study
The National Eye Institute released information in 2001 regarding a study conducted on the use of certain vitamins and minerals in the prevention of eye disease. This study, called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study or AREDS, determined that a number of vitamins may reduce the risk of advanced macular degeneration by around 25 percent.
Vitamin Recommendations
AREDS determined that taking 25,000 International Units of vitamin A, 500 mg of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E each day could reduce your risk for macular degeneration. Your eye doctor may determine that you require more or less of these vitamins, and you should follow your doctor's recommendations.
Additional Nutrients
In addition to vitamins, AREDS also determined that other nutrients may also play a role in preventing this devastating condition. The study recommends 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper each day.
Supplements
Many pharmacies carry supplements designed to protect your eyes from macular degeneration damage. Not all supplements, however, contain the dosage of nutrients studied and recommended by the National Eye Institute's ARED study. To ensure that you purchase the right vitamin, talk with your eye doctor for a recommendation or discuss the dosage you need with your pharmacist. She can help you determine which supplement fits your doctor's recommendation. Supplements that meet the AREDS formulation often have "AREDS" on the label for easy identification.
Considerations
Prior to starting a new supplement, talk with your eye doctor. Inform her about the medications you take and any health problems you have, which include health issues not related to your eyes. Certain vitamins and minerals may interfere or react with medications and diseases, and discussing potential problems allows your eye doctor to determine an appropriate vitamin dosage that meets your needs.
