The back of the eye has a lining made of light-sensitive tissue called the retina, and the macula sits on one area of this retinal tissue. If the cells of the macula deteriorate, this may begin to destroy the macula, a condition called macular degeneration. Macular degeneration will typically result in permanent loss of your central vision. Since treatment will not restore lost vision, prevention is the key to protecting your eyesight, and certain vitamins may offer protection.
Vitamins
The National Eye Institute conducted a study which evaluated the effectiveness of many nutrients toward preventing macular degeneration. In 2001, the institute released the results of this study, called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, also referred to as AREDS. The findings showed that if a person takes vitamin A, C and E, along with other nutrients, she will reduce her risk for advanced damage from macular degeneration by approximately 25 percent.
Dosage
The ARED Study determined that, for the best protection, you should take 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 International Units, or IU, of vitamin E and 25,000 IU of vitamin A each day. On some food labels and supplement labels, the listing for vitamin A may state "beta-carotene." In such cases, to meet the vitamin A recommendation, you will need 15 mg of beta-carotene each day.
Additional Nutrients
In addition to the vitamins found to offer prevention, the ARED Study found that you should also take zinc and copper. You should take 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper each day.
As well, lutein and zeaxanthin may help protect your eyes from macular degeneration. You can find these antioxidant pigments in most dark green, leafy vegetables. Omega-3 fatty acids may also help protect macular cells, and you can find omega-3 in fish, such as salmon and tuna, as well as in flaxseeds and walnuts.
Supplements
After the ARED Study determined that certain nutrients may provide significant protection, many supplement manufacturers began offering formulations based on the recommendations of the National Eye Institute. Most of these supplements designed for macular health state "AREDS formulation" or other designation on the label. Many of these "eye vitamin" supplements will also contain lutein and zeaxanthin. If you wish to take supplements to ensure you have omega-3 each day, you may elect to take fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil capsules.
Considerations
If you wish to start taking supplements to help prevent macular degeneration, you should first talk with your eye doctor or health care provider. She will help you determine the dose of each vitamin that is appropriate for your overall health needs.
