The Macular Degeneration Research program of the American Health Assistance Foundation estimates that nearly 11 million people in the United States suffer from macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes vision changes, including blindness. The tissue that makes up the inside lining at the back of your eye is called the retina, and the macula is an area on this lining. Your macula provides straight-ahead vision, and damage to macular cells will destroy this tissue, damaging vision. Research indicates that vitamins may help reduce your risk for damage.
Vision Changes
Vision loss from macular degeneration will cause blurry central vision, and this is the vision you use throughout your daily life. Central vision lets you drive, read, sew and recognize faces. Even though the disease does not affect your side vision, losing the ability to do day-to-day activities will cause significant difficulties. Once a person has macular degeneration, treatment will usually improve vision, and this means following prevention guidelines is one of the most important things you can do to protect your eyes from advanced macular degeneration.
AREDS
The National Eye Institute released information in 2001 regarding the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, also known as AREDS. The findings of this study determined that if you take high doses of specific antioxidants, your risk for advanced damage from the disease decreases by around 25 percent. Researchers determined that for the best protection, you need to take 500 mg of vitamin C, 25,000 international units, or IU, of vitamin A, 400 IU of vitamin E and 80 mg of zinc daily. Since a high zinc dose could lead to a copper deficiency, researchers also recommend a 2-mg dose of copper each day.
AREDS2
In the 2001 study, AREDS researchers made significant progress in helping people protect their eyesight. The research, however, left out some nutrients that other studies have claimed offer protection against the disease. In 2006, scientists began the AREDS2 study, which will evaluate the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. The study will end in December 2012, and researchers will begin releasing preliminary data shortly thereafter.
Considerations
After the release of the AREDS data, vitamin manufacturers began producing a vitamin formulation that contains the dosage of the nutrients recommended in the study. These vitamins often state "AREDS formulation" or "eye vitamins" on the packaging. Prior to using these, or any other vitamin supplement, you should talk with your doctor to determine whether you should take the high dosages of these nutrients.
References
- National Eye Institute: Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration; September 2009
- National Eye Institute: The AREDS Formulation and Age-Related Macular Degeneration; October 2003
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2)
- Macular Degeneration Research: About Macular Degeneration; January 2011
