Supplements cannot cure or treat eye conditions, but certain nutrients might play an important role in protecting your eyes from eye disease. Researchers continue to study the potential benefits of vitamins and minerals in the role of eye health, finding that certain nutrients might help prevent or slow down eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when you have high eye pressure that damages the optic nerve at the back of your eye. This damage will result in gradual loss of your side vision, and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Vitamin and mineral supplements cannot reduce your intraocular pressure, but a healthy, adequate intake of various nutrients might help protect your eyes from damage. If you wish to use supplements, you should talk with your doctor, and she will help you determine an appropriate supplement and correct dosage.
Cataracts
Behind your iris sits a lens that helps direct light to the back of your eye. The lens consists of proteins and water, and with age, the proteins can break down and clump together. This causes a cloudy, slightly yellow appearance to the cataract, giving vision a frosted or steamed-mirror effect that eventually can cover the entire visual field. Some doctors believe antioxidant nutrients might help slow the breakdown of the proteins. Some of these nutrients include vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc. Talk with your doctor about the benefits of using supplements that contain these cataract-fighting nutrients.
Disease Prevention
In 2001, the National Eye Institute released the findings from a study called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS, which determined that certain nutrients, when taken in high doses, might help prevent eye diseases such as macular degeneration. Supplement manufacturers began producing vitamins that contain the recommended dosage of these nutrients. For example, such a specialized vision supplement might contain 80 mg of zinc; 500 mg of vitamin C; 400 international units, or IU, of vitamin E; and 25,000 IU of vitamin A. To help prevent copper deficiency from high zinc intake, the National Eye Institute also recommends 2 mg of copper.
Considerations
Consult your primary care doctor or ophthalmologist before starting a new supplement regimen. Certain nutrients, particularly when given in high doses, might interact with medications or health conditions.
