Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, can cause permanent vision loss without proper diagnosis and treatment. Sponsored by the National Eye Institute, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS, found daily high vitamin doses in a specific formulation might reduce the risk of AMD by 25 percent and lead to improved eye health.
AREDS Formula
AREDS researchers found that daily amounts of vitamin antioxidants and zinc successfully slowed down AMD for those patients in the disease's intermediate stages. Specifically, the AREDS formulation includes 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IUs of vitamin E, 15 mg of beta-carotene, 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper.
Candidates for AREDS
AREDS appears to benefit high-risk AMD patients, which includes those with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or advanced AMD in one eye only. According to the National Eye Institute, AREDS does not benefit those with early-stage AMD.
Formulating AREDS
It might be difficult for some to achieve the high levels of vitamins required to satisfy AREDS by taking vitamins or following a vitamin-rich diet. AREDS formulations are available pre-mixed at grocery stores, pharmacies and health food stores. It is also possible to buy each vitamin and mineral individually and mix your own batch.
Dietary Suggestions for Eye Health
While a healthy diet alone will not slow the progression of AMD, maintaining a healthy weight via a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial toward overall eye health. In addition, the Mayo Clinic reports that smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop AMD, which means quitting smoking might improve your chances of avoiding this debilitating condition.
