Macular degeneration is a deteriorative disease of the eye that typically affects the elderly. Although macular degeneration cannot be reversed, the use of certain vitamins, antioxidants and minerals may slow disease progression. These compounds have been formulated into over-the-counter nutritional supplements for the eyes.
Macular Degeneration
Dry macular degeneration is characterized by the slow deterioration of tissue within the eyeball at the center region of the retina. The disease is more prevalent in patients of advanced age. As the disease progresses, patients may experience symptoms and visual changes including blurred vision, loss of color recognition and poor vision in low light. Unfortunately, macular degeneration is irreversible and may require eye surgery to correct significant problems with vision.
Less common, wet macular degeneration is a more severe form of the disorder, characterized by the development of leaky blood vessels within the eye. Clinical trials studying eye vitamins focused only on the dry form of macular degeneration.
Eye Vitamins
According to the National Eye Institute, the Age-Related Eye Study (AREDS) included 3,600 patients with early stages of macular degeneration and found that the use of certain antioxidants and minerals could reduce the risk of developing advanced macular degeneration by 25 percent. Although the supplement formulation used in the study contained many of the same compounds found in foods and multivitamins, eye vitamins are made to contain specific amounts of these nutritional compounds.
AREDS Formulation
When choosing an eye vitamin, it is important to check the label to verify that it contains the formulation used in the AREDS study. Products such as Ocuvite PreserVision from Bausch and Lomb specifically state on the label that the vitamin includes the same formulation used in the AREDS clinical trial. The specific formulation used in the study included a supplemental daily dose of vitamin C, 500 mg; vitamin E, 400 I.U.; vitamin A, 25,000 I.U.; zinc oxide, 80 mg; and copper in the form of cupric oxide, 2 mg.
Proper Eye Vitamin Dose
To obtain the proper dose of eye vitamins, patients should follow the directions included on the product labeling. Eye vitamins can be more expensive than common multivitamins, and patients may be tempted to reduce the dose. However, to obtain the same amounts of nutrients used in the AREDS study, patients should follow the instructions for use, which typically requires the consumption of multiple tablets per day. Patients should speak to a physician with concerns regarding macular degeneration and the use of eye vitamins.
