Macular degeneration is an eye disease that is responsible for the most cases of blindness in older adults in the United States. The condition damages the macula, a circular area of tissue on the retina, the lining over the back of your eye. Once you have damage to the cells in your macula, treatment cannot reverse the damage. However, some nutrients, such as retinol may offer some help in preventing advanced damage that results vision loss.
Effects
The macula contains light-sensitive transmitters that relay visual information, providing you with clear central vision. Damage from macular degeneration will destroy these structures, resulting in vision changes. Early signs of damage may appear as blurry vision or the need for additional light. Advanced damage will typically cause a blind spot directly in the center of vision. Many people with advanced macular degeneration do not have damage to side vision and rely on this vision to help with motility and other daily activities.
Retinol
Retinol, also known as vitamin A, has an important role in many aspects of the human body, but this nutrient may also help prevent macular degeneration. The National Eye Institute determined that high doses of vitamin A, when accompanied by other nutrients, may reduce advanced macular degeneration risks by 25 percent. The study, called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, determined that people who have risk factors for this condition should take 25,000 international units of vitamin A. You may have a difficult time reaching this level of intake with diet alone, so your doctor may recommend that you take a supplement that will provide you with the necessary amount of vitamin A.
Other Nutrients
In addition to the high dose of vitamin A, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study found that people at risk for the condition should also take 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E and 80 mg of zinc. The study recommends 2 mg of copper as well, but this is to prevent you from experiencing low levels of copper that can result from high zinc intake.
Considerations
After the National Eye Institute released the findings from the study, supplement manufacturers created a formulation that contains the recommended dosage of these nutrients. These supplements, often labeled as "eye vitamins" or "AREDS formulation," may not be appropriate for everyone. Talk with your doctor before you begin taking this or any other nutritional supplement.
