Macular Degeneration Vitamins
As we age, caring for our eyes may include taking certain vitamins and supplements, especially for conditions like macular degeneration. When macular degeneration begins to occur, vitamins can help to slow the effects of the disease. In this article, we look at the best macular degeneration vitamins, so you can help protect your vision.
10 signs of Macular Degeneration
- Blurred or distorted central vision.
- Difficulty recognizing faces.
- Straight lines appear wavy.
- Reduced color perception.
- Increased sensitivity to light.
- Poor night vision.
- Dark or empty areas in central vision.
- Gradual loss of clear vision.
- Difficulty reading or performing close-up tasks.
- Visual hallucinations (in advanced stages).
Understanding Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This condition causes blurriness in the center of a person’s visual field, meaning fine details become difficult to see, but peripheral vision remains unchanged. Macular degeneration is classified by two types: dry AMD and wet AMD.
Dry AMD
Dry AMD is the more common of the two forms of macular degeneration and makes up 80% of cases. With dry AMD, the macula becomes thinner as a person becomes older. As a person with dry AMD ages, yellow clumps of protein (drusen) grow in the eye. The thinning macula and tiny protein deposits cause a slow loss of central vision.
Wet AMD
Although dry AMD occurs slowly, wet AMD occurs much more quickly. Wet AMD is more serious than dry AMD, though it is also less common. Blood vessels form under the retina and can leak fluids. The blood vessels can scar the macula, causing a loss of vision.
What Causes Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration often occurs with age, and women are affected more often than men. Other risk factors increase the probability of developing the disease:
- Being over 50 years of age.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
- High cholesterol levels.
- Heart disease.
- High blood pressure.
- Consuming a diet high in saturated fats.
- A family history of AMD.
What Are the Symptoms Like?
It’s easy for people with macular degeneration to overlook their condition, especially when both eyes are disproportionately affected. Very often, people discover macular degeneration on a routine visit to their family physician or eye doctor through an eye exam.
Early signs may be:
- Blurred or fuzzy vision, mainly in the center of their eyesight.
- Words on a page may appear wavy or distorted.
- Difficulty seeing under low light conditions and glare.
Treatment Options
For both dry AMD and wet AMD, lenses and magnifiers can make seeing possible. Even though there is no cure for AMD, treatments are available to slow down its progression.
When it comes to wet AMD, treatments focus on the blood vessels affecting the eyes. Wet AMD eye treatments attempt to shrink blood vessels and halt abnormal blood growth. Because wet AMD can occur quickly, immediate interventions can help curb wet AMD’s adverse effects.
Dry AMD, on the other hand, may be treated through vitamin supplementation. Though these vitamins help with the symptoms of macular degeneration, they are not curing. What’s more, vitamin supplementation makes the most difference when there is already a deficiency of the vitamin to begin with.
How Can Vitamins Help Macular Degeneration?
Certain vitamins are most effective when used to treat AMD. A group of studies called Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2) found that the following vitamins can slow the progress of macular degeneration by as much as 25%. Based on two major studies, two vitamin supplementation regimens were developed to curb macular degeneration: AREDS and AREDS2.
AREDS:
- Vitamin C.
- Vitamin E.
- Beta-carotene.
- Copper.
- Zinc.
AREDS 2:
- Vitamin C.
- Vitamin E.
- Copper.
- Zinc.
- Lutein.
- Zeaxanthin.
Beta Carotene, Lutein and Zeaxanthin
The three vitamins (beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin) are in the carotenoid vitamin family. Usually found in green leafy vegetables, these vitamins are used to make vitamin A by the body. Lutein and zeaxanthin are vitamins used in the retina and lens of the eyes, where they help absorb damaging types of light.
Copper
High levels of zinc intake may cause copper deficiency. In efforts to balance the effects of zinc, copper is added to both regimens (AREDS/AREDS2). The body uses copper, along with iron, to produce red blood cells.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a potent antioxidant. Found in fruits and vegetables, vitamin C helps when it comes to macular degeneration. Vitamin C helps to slow the progression.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant found in fortified cereals and nuts. It protects the eyes from free radicals, keeping eye tissue healthy for longer.
Zinc
Zinc is known as a "helper molecule" by bringing eye-friendly vitamin A to other parts of the body to the retina.
Notes on Macular Degeneration Vitamins
It’s important to note that a medical professional or eye doctor should be consulted before starting a vitamin regimen. For example, beta-carotene is excluded for AREDS 2 because for some patient populations, such as heavy smokers, high doses of beta-carotene can have adverse effects. It’s always best to consult a professional before starting supplementation.