Age-related macular degeneration can cause significant visual loss and increases in prevalence with advancing age. No cure exists, but eye doctors can manage the condition with medications and surgeries. These treatments have varying levels of success, so clinicians are interested in finding therapies that might slow down or prevent the development of macular degeneration. Vitamin supplementation has been found to slow down the progression of macular degeneration.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin that is found in oranges, grapefruits, spinach, and tomatoes. This vitamin is important for all cells in the body and also plays a role in blood vessels in the body, as noted by the American Optometric Association. Vitamin C -- in combination with other vitamins and minerals -- can help slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration in people with moderate disease. The amount needed for this benefit -- 500 mg -- is significantly higher than the daily recommended amount, which is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women. Vitamin C can reduce the risk of cataracts as well.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another antioxidant that has been shown to play a role in the health of the eye; it can be found in cereals and nuts. Vitamin E may protect the eye by preventing damage from molecules called free radicals, explains the American Optometric Association. A study by C. Delcourt and colleagues in the "Archives of Ophthalmology" in October 1999 suggested that vitamin E might be help protect the retina against macular degeneration. In the March 1999 issue of "Mechanics of Ageing and Development" J.I. Belda and colleagues reported that people with macular degeneration had lower levels of vitamin E. In combination with other antioxidants, vitamin E has been found to help slow down the progression of macular degeneration. The daily amounts of vitamin E shown to make a difference are around 400 international units (I.U.) each day; however, the daily recommended intake is only 22 I.U. for men and women. Because the amount needed for macular degeneration is so much higher than the typical daily requirements, you would have to take vitamin E as a supplement to get the benefits.
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene, which is found in brightly-colored vegetables and fruits, and in whole grains, is converted to vitamin A in the body. Fifteen milligrams of beta-carotene can impact the progression of age-related macular degeneration in some people, according to the National Institutes of Medicine. Other carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin also may help protect the eyes from damage from macular degeneration/ Five servings of fruits and vegetables typically provide up to 8 mg of the carotenoids, so you generally would need to take a supplement to get enough beta-carotene, as noted by the American Optometric Association.
The AREDs Combination
A study called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study or AREDS looked at the impact of a combination of vitamins C and E and beta-carotene along with zinc and copper in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. This study was led by the National Eye Institute and found that high levels of these vitamins and minerals can reduce the risk of vision loss from macular degeneration by about 25 percent in people with intermediate macular degeneration or advanced macular degeneration in only one eye. These nutrients had little effect on patients with mild cases of macular degeneration. The combination used in the AREDs trial was 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 I.U. of vitamin E, 15 mg of beta-carotene, 80 mg of zinc, and 2 mg of copper. Because these dosages are significantly higher than your normal daily requirements, various manufacturers have created eye health supplements containing this combination that you can purchase over-the-counter. You should discuss taking this combination with your ophthalmologist to see if this supplement will benefit you.
References
- American Optometric Association: Vitamin E
- The Permanente Medical Group: Nutritional Supplements and Macular Degeneration
- Mechanisms of Ageing and Development; "Serum Vitamin E Levels Negatively Correlate with Severity of Age-Related Macular Degeneration;" Belda JI et al; 1999.
- American Optometric Association: Vitamin C
- National Institutes of Health: Beta-Carotene
- Archives of Ophthalmology; "Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Antioxidant Status in the POLA study. POLA Study Group. Pathologies Oculaires Liées à l'Age;" Delcourt C et al. 1999.
