Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the macula, the small part of the eye's retina that is responsible for our central vision.  This condition affects both distance and close vision anc can make some activities - like reading or threading a needle - very difficult or impossible.  Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over the age of 50.  

 

Many people with AMD have deposits under the retina called drusen.  Drusen alone usually do not cause vision loss, but when they grow in size or number, there is an increased risk of developing advanced AMD.  People at risk of developing late stage AMD may have a large amount of drusen or they may have abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the macula in one eye.  

 

The latest large scientific stufy on AMD and nutritional supplements has shown that some antioxidant vitamins and zinc may reduce the impact of AMD in some people.  

 

The study found that people at higher risk for late stage macular degeneration who followed a dietary supplement of vitamin C, E, lutein, zeaxanthin, along with zinc, lowered the risk by at least 25 percent.  The same treatment did not appear to acheive the same results among people without AMD, or within the first stages of the disease.  

 

The nutritional supplements used by the study that proved beneficial contain:

     - Vitamin C (500 mg)

     - Vitamin E (400 IU)

     - Lutein (10 mg)

     - Zeaxanthin (2 mg)

     - Zinc oxide (80mg)

     - Copper oxide (2 mg, to prevent the loss of copper associated with zinc

       supplements)

 

The levels of antioxidants and zinc that were shown to be effective in slowing AMD's progression cannot be consumed through diet alone.  This vitamins and minerals are recommended in specific daily amounts as supplements to a healthy, balanced diet. Some people may prefer not to take high dosages of antioxidants or zinc for medical reasons. The study did not reveal any evidence that the treatment may be toxic. 

 

Another large study in women showed a benefit from taking folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12. 

 

Other studies have shown that eating dark leafy greens, yellow,orange and other colorful fruits and vegetables, rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, may reduce your risk for developing AMD.