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What are Macular Degeneration Vitamins?

What are Macular Degeneration Vitamins?

Wet AMD

Wet AMD

For some patients with age-related macular degeneration, a specific combination of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, zinc and copper can help to prevent the type of vision deterioration illustrated here. Ask your eye doctor if it could help you.

If you have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), ask your eye doctor whether taking a specific dietary supplement could decrease the chances that your condition will progress and lead to further vision loss. He or she may recommend macular degeneration supplements called "the AREDS formulation." In a large study called AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study), sponsored by the National Eye Institute, a specific combination of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, zinc and copper was shown to reduce the chances of AMD progression and vision deterioration. In the study, taking this combination of macular degeneration nutrients every day reduced the risk of progression from early to late AMD by 25% and reduced the risk of vision loss by 19%.

This combination of macular degeneration vitamins, minerals and antioxidants is available over-the counter. However, the supplement only helps people with certain AMD characteristics; therefore, it is very important to ask your eye doctor whether or not you should take it.

Getting your doctor's advice about taking macular degeneration supplements is important for other reasons, too. First of all, they contain 5 to 15 times the recommended daily dietary intake of Vitamin E, Vitamin C, copper, zinc and beta-carotene. Therefore, they can be harmful for some people, especially those with certain health conditions or those taking certain medications such as blood thinners. Also, beta-carotene has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer among smokers. Several different formulations of these macular degeneration nutrients are available. Some, for example, do not contain beta-carotene. If your doctor recommends that you take macular degeneration vitamins, he or she can help you choose a product that fits your needs.

The National Eye Institute has already started a follow-up study to AREDS. Approximately 4,000 people will be involved in this new study, AREDS2. It is testing whether a modified combination of vitamins and minerals, including substances called xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) can produce even better results than were seen in the first AREDS.

What Should My Family Know About Macular Degeneration Supplements?

If you have AMD, it increases the chances that your close relatives may also develop it. If they already have signs of AMD, the AREDS formulation might be helpful for them. Otherwise, there are things they can do to minimize their risk. The American Academy of Ophthalmology, in its 2006 publication "Take a Closer Look Before It's Too Late," recommends the following:

  • don't smoke
  • wear sunglasses
  • eat lots of dark green, leafy vegetables
  • decrease your consumption of processed and packaged foods
  • eat extra Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseed oil
  • keep your blood pressure under control.

Very strong evidence has emerged linking smoking to the risk of getting AMD. Evidence pertaining to the other macular degeneration nutrients on the list exists, but is not as conclusive. However, all of the items on the list are healthy steps to take, regardless of their effect on AMD. Knowing that, why not encourage your family members to incorporate them into their lives?

Hope for the future? New clinical trials.

NeoVista, Inc. is a company that is developing an intraocular epiretinal radiation device intended for the treatment of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. If you, or someone you know, are interested in participating in the CABERNET Trial, please follow the link below:

Learn more about the CABERNET Trial

 

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