Macular degeneration is one of the principal causes of vision loss among older Americans. In this condition, the central part of the retina (a spot called the macula) deteriorates. The result is an inability to focus in the center of the visual field in late stages of the disease, making it very difficult to see.
In early macular degeneration, though, there may not be much noticeable change in vision. This reader would like to stop or slow the progression of macular degeneration.
Q. I have recently been diagnosed as having early macular degeneration. My ophthalmologist has suggested I take a dietary supplement to hold off this eye disease.
The one he recommended contains vitamin A, beta carotene, lutein, zinc and bilberry. What is your opinion on this product?
A. Research has shown that dietary supplementation can slow the progression of moderate or advanced macular degeneration (but not the early stage of the disease, like yours). Your eye doctor did not specify the most recent evidence-based formulation, though.
AREDS2 Formula:
The study called AREDS2 (the second Age-Related Eye Disease Study) showed benefit from a daily dose of 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 10 mg lutein, 2 mg zeaxanthin, 25 mg zinc and 2 mg copper (JAMA, May 15, 2013).
Beta carotene, vitamin A and bilberry may not be necessary, although Japanese research suggests that bilberry and lingonberry can help protect the retina from light-induced damage (BMC Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Apr. 2, 2014; Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Oct. 30, 2013).
Former smokers were more likely to develop lung cancer if they took beta carotene, so the researchers wanted to confirm that the carotenoid compounds lutein and zeaxanthin would be just as effective. That was accomplished in this study (JAMA Ophthalmology, Feb., 2014).
Even though the study did not show that the supplement slowed the early stage of macular degeneration, it also did not show harm. Be sure to talk to your eye doctor about the exact formulation that you should be taking.
Readers who have been taking an AREDS evidence-based supplement for macular degeneration may want to share their experience below.
