The inner, back of your eye has a lining called macula that is made up of cells that collect visual information for the brain. Blood vessels feed this tissue, but these vessels may leak, causing areas of the macular tissue to fill with fluid, a condition called macular edema. Macular edema does not cause pain but may distort vision. Certain factors may cause macular edema, but amino acids such as creatine do not have a definite connection to this condition.
Causes
Doctors do not always know the cause for macular edema, but the condition often occurs with eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration. Macular edema may also result from complications of cataract surgery or other eye procedures.
Creatine
Creatine is an amino acid your body uses for energy. Not only does your body make creatine, but you also consume the amino acid when you eat meat and fish. Supplements will also provide creatine. Although controversy surrounds athletic use of creatine, many body builders and athletes take creatine supplements to increase performance and improve muscle mass. Creatine supplements may also have health benefits for people with Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy, and creatine may help reduce cholesterol levels as well.
Link
Creatine does not have a known connection to macular edema. However, in a 2008 study, researchers evaluated possible relationship between diabetic macular edema and blood lipid levels in various groups. The study also looked at creatinine levels, a chemical produced from creatine. The findings showed that the group that had the longest history of diabetes and macular edema had higher creatinine levels than the other groups. The findings did not indicate a warning sign or an indicator of macular edema from these levels, but this does show a possible link between creatinine and creatine and the presence of macular edema.
Considerations
If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar levels under good control to help reduce the risk of macular edema and other eye conditions related to your disease. Inform your eye doctor immediately if you experience sudden changes in your vision since prompt treatment may help prevent permanent vision loss. Before you take creatine supplements, talk with your doctor, and she can evaluate your overall health to determine if creatine use is right for you.
References
- University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center: Cystoid Macular Edema (CME)
- National Eye Institute: Facts About Diabetic Retinopathy
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Creatine; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD
- "Journal of Diabetes Complications"; Serum Lipid Profile in Diabetic Macular Edema; P.A. Ozer, et al.; July 2009
