For Patients with Macular Degeneration
In October 2001, the research group of The Age Related Eye
Disease Study (AREDS) reported on the results of a ten-year study
of approximately 4,700 patients with "dry" macular degeneration who
were given nutritional supplements. The study revealed that in some
patients with dry macular degeneration, the other eye benefited
from the following nutritional supplements:
- Antioxidants of:
- Vitamin C (500mg)
- Vitamin E (400i.u.)
- Beta Carotene (15mg)-combined with Zinc Oxide (80mg with 2mg of
Copper to reduce the risk of Zinc induced anemia).
Taking these supplements resulted in more stable vision and
reduced the development of abnormal vessels under the retina ("wet"
macular degeneration) by 25% in select patients over age 55.
Three things you can do to reduce your risk of catastrophic
vision loss due to macular degeneration are:
- Do not smoke. Smoking has been found to
increase the risk of vision loss.
- Take high dose nutritional supplements.
(Note: Smokers should not take beta carotene
because of the concern of an increased risk of lung
cancer.)
- Check the Amsler Grid regularly and report new vision
loss of distortion.
After many decades, this study has now provided reliable data to
support the use of nutritional supplements and offers more hope to
patients with macular degeneration. This report, combined with
advances the treatment of the wet form of macular degeneration, is
indeed good news.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please talk with
me further.
Examples of AREDS proven formulas:
- Non-smokers (pick one):
- ICAPS AREDS FORMULA
- ICAPS MV
- OCUVITE PRESERVISION AREDS FORMULA
- Generic Brands available
- Smokers (must use suppliments with low or no
beta-carotene) (pick one):
- ICAPS MV
- Ocuvite with Lutein
- All Patients:
- Blue-Blocking (Brown) Sunglasses (especially if you have had
your cataracts replaced with introcular lenses)
- Omega 3 - 2000 mg per day - check the back of the bottle to see
how much Omega 3 is in each capsule and take as many as needed to
consume 2000 mg per day.
David V. Poer M.D., F.A.C.S.