The number of people who develop age-related macular degeneration will continue to increase as the baby-boomers age. The therapies available for treatment of this disease can sometimes stop the progression of the disease but may not improve visual acuity. Finding treatments that may prevent the development or the progression of macular degeneration is an important area of research. One form of therapy -- vitamin supplementation -- has been shown to reduce the risk of advanced macular degeneration, according to the National Eye Institute.
Age-related Eye Disease Study
A large study -- called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS -- evaluated about 3,600 people who had macular degeneration for about six years. The participants were assigned to either receive high-dose antioxidant vitamins and zinc or a sugar pill. The results which were published in the "Archives of Ophthalmology" by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group found that taking the vitamins lowered the risk of advanced macular degeneration when compared to people who did not take the vitamins. The information from this study has caused many eye doctors to recommend this formula to their patients who are at risk for this disease.
Vitamins in the AREDS Formula
The vitamins included in the AREDS formula are vitamins C and E, beta carotene, zinc and copper, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These nutrients can all be obtained through a normal diet, but the dosages required for the AREDS formula are significantly higher than the levels that you can get through food. The AREDS formula contains 500mg of vitamin C and 400 international units of vitamin E. The 15mg of beta carotene is sometimes listed as 25,000 international units of vitamin A; beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. You would need to take 80mg of zinc and 2mg of copper to complete the supplementation. Although you may take these higher doses, you can still take a multivitamin for general health.
Taking the Vitamins
After the results from the AREDS study were published in 2001, manufacturers began creating vitamin products with the increased levels of the vitamins evaluated in the study, as noted by the National Eye Institute. Multiple combination tablets can be purchased at drugstores, online or occasionally through your eye doctor. While you can purchase the vitamin with the correct amounts already in one capsule, you can also take each supplement separately as well. Talk to your physician about what is the best plan for you.
Candidates for Vitamin Supplementation
The National Eye Institute recommends that people who are at high risk for developing advanced disease should consider taking the combination. If you have intermediate or moderate disease in one or both eyes or advanced macular degeneration in one eye, the National Eye Institute suggests that you start the vitamins each day, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. No combination will prevent the development of the disease, and the researchers did not find any change in the rate of progression for people who have early stages of the disease.
Risks of Supplementation
The side effects associated with this vitamin formulation may be mild. About 7.5 percent of people who took the zinc during the AREDS trial developed urinary tract infections, according to the National Eye Institute. Some people who took the high doses of beta carotene noted mild yellowing of their skin. Another potential risk associated with the use of vitamins in the management of macular degeneration is the increased risk of lung cancer for current smokers who take beta carotene. The data for this complication is not conclusive, but some physicians are wary of treating smokers with this substance. AREDS formulas are available that do not contain the beta carotene for these patients. It is important for you to discuss the use of the high doses of these vitamins with your doctor to avoid adverse effects.
Future Study
Researchers are still searching for more information about potential uses for vitamins and other nutrients in the treatment of macular degeneration. Researchers have added the compounds lutein and zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids to the original AREDS formula to determine if the new ingredients have an effect on the management of macular degeneration.
References
- National Eye Institute: New Nationwide Study Will Evaluate Effect of Antioxidants and Fish Oil on Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- National Eye Institute: The AREDS Formulation and Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Macular Degeneration
- Archives of Ophthalmology A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial of High-Dose Supplementation With Vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene, and Zinc for Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Vision Loss -- AREDS Report No. 8
