Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 60, affects more than 10 million Americans, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Injections into the eye can improve or halt the progression of AMD. Vitamin supplements called AREDS reduce the risk of developing wet AMD in some people with the dry form of the disease. Gingko, an herb, may improve symptoms in AMD, but this has not been definitively proven. Ask your physician before starting ginkgo to treat AMD.
Causes
Macular degeneration starts with decreased nutrient delivery to the retina, possibly because of vascular factors related to aging and oxidation. The cells over the macula, the central point of vision on the retina, start to deteriorate, a condition called dry AMD. In around 15 percent of people with dry AMD, new blood vessels form under the macula, but the new blood vessels, which are abnormal and fragile, break easily. Fluid accumulates under the macula, disrupting vision, a condition called wet macular degeneration.
Purpose
Ginkgo, made from the leaf of the plant of the maidenhair tree, appears to improve blood circulation. Since macular degeneration may occur due to decreased nutrients being delivered to the retina, improving circulation throughout the eye may help prevent AMD from developing. Ginkgo may also reduce membrane damage from free radicals, unpaired electrons produced from breakdown of toxins.
Results
A Cochrane review of literature in 1999 found two studies relating ginkgo and macular degeneration. The first, a six month 1986 French study of 20 people, found that taking 160 mg of ginkgo daily improved visual acuity. The second study, reported in 2002, compared ginkgo in 240 mg and 60 mg doses taken for 24 months. Vision improved in both groups, but greater improvement occurred at the higher dose. While ginkgo may have benefits in treating AMD, many more clinical trials are required before recommendations for ginkgo doses and benefits could be made.
Side Effects
Ginkgo can cause bleeding, especially in people who take blood thinners or who have disorders that prevent their blood from clotting normally. Ginkgo might cause bleeding into the eye or brain, MedlinePlus warns. For this reason, you should not take ginkgo without discussing its use with your doctor. Minor side effects of ginkgo include dizziness, headache, stomach problems or constipation
Warnings
While ginkgo may help dry AMD, wet AMD requires early, aggressive treatment to prevent severe vision loss. Do not delay seeing an ophthalmologist if you have AMD and your vision worsens. Once wet AMD develops, preserving vision becomes more difficult. Intravitreal injections of medications called anti-VEGFs can keep vision from worsening in most cases, but only 33 percent of people regain lost vision with treatment, All About Vision reports.
