Cells called rods and cones make up the center spot of tissue on the back of your eye. This tissue, called the macula, works with other structures in your eyes to create straight-ahead vision. If you have cell damage you may have a condition called macular degeneration, an eye disease that often affects older adults, permanently destroying central vision. Taking measures to prevent disease such as using vitamin E or Trolox may help you retain your vision.
Effects
The "dry" form of macular degeneration causes blind spots or areas of blurred or "smudged" vision. These vision changes often occur in the center of vision, and you may have difficulties recognizing faces or seeing details in poor lighting. If you have the "wet" form of the disease, a type that results from bleeding underneath the macular tissue, you will most likely experience a sudden change in your vision that may include bent objects that you know to have straight lines such as light posts.
Vitamin E
Your body requires vitamin E for many processes, but this nutrient also acts as an antioxidant, helping to reduce the incidence of cell damage. In relation to macular degeneration, a 2001 study conducted by the National Eye Institute determined that high doses of vitamin E, when accompanied by vitamins A and C, zinc and copper, may help reduce the incidence of macular degeneration. Many foods such as nuts and seeds provide a natural source for vitamin E.
Trolox
Trolox is the trade name for vitamin E manufactured by the Hoffman-La Roche company. In a 1988 study, researchers established that Trolox contains high quantities of antioxidants, and may also offer some benefits in reversing damage to cells. Additional studies show that Trolox has similar antioxidant-related protective benefits in other conditions involving the tissue lining the back of the eye. However, research has not evaluated the effects in humans.
Considerations
If you experience vision changes, especially if those changes occur suddenly, contact your eye doctor immediately. Your doctor may need to treat the disease to prevent further damage, but you will not usually notice a return of any vision you lost. Do not treat your condition with supplements without first consulting your doctor. If you have risk factors for disease, do not begin using supplements without discussing the potential risks with your doctor.
References
- National Eye Institute; Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration; September 2009
- Office of Dietary Supplements; National Institutes of Health; Vitamin E; December 2009
- "Biochemistry Journal"; Vitamin E Analogue Trolox C E.s.r. and Pulse-Radiolysis Studies of Free-Radical Reactions; M. J. Davies, et al.; October 1988
- "Free Radical Biology & Medicine"; Effect of a Water-Soluble Vitamin E Analog, Trolox C, on Retinal Vascular Development In an Animal Model of Retinopathy of Prematurity; J. S. Penn, et al.; 1997
