What Vitamins Should You Take for
Your Eyes?
AMD is the
leading cause of vision loss in white Americans over age 50 and all
Americans over age 65
By Cheryl L. Dejewski
One of the
increasingly common questions eye care specialists hear from patients
is, “What vitamins should I take for my eyes?” Step into the
nutritional supplement aisle at your local retail store or pharmacy, and
you’ll know why people seek guidance. The number and variety of
eye-related health products can be daunting and confusing—to both
patients and doctors.
The dramatic increase
in products came after the 2001 release of results from a major clinical
trial by the National Eye Institute (NEI), which found that high levels
of antioxidants and zinc could significantly reduce the risk of advanced
age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and subsequent vision loss in
people with a certain subtype of AMD.
AMD
is the leading cause of vision loss in white Americans over age 50 and
all Americans over age 65. AMD is a condition in which the macula, a
small (about the size of this “O”), sensitive area of the retina
responsible for sharp central vision and color discrimination, is
damaged. The resulting blurriness in “straight ahead” vision may result
in legal (less than 20/200 vision), but not total blindness. Sufferers
often can no longer distinguish faces, clocks, words, street signs, or
other objects in the center of their field of vision. At present, there
is no conclusive proof as to what causes macular degeneration, and there
is no real cure or treatment. In most cases, patients are encouraged to
get by through the use of low vision aids and training to utilize their
remaining side vision.
“The NEI report was
such major news for the health care industry and older adults, that the
American Academy of Ophthalmology sent out a “Member Alert” summarizing
the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) results,” recalls Dr. Mark
Freedman, a leading local eye surgeon whose practice includes overseeing
the care of thousands of macular degeneration patients. “AREDS numbers
showed that patients with AMD who took high-dose oral combinations of
antioxidant vitamins and minerals (vitamins C and E, beta-carotene,
zinc, and copper) reduced their risk of progressing to advanced stages
of the disease by 25 percent, and cut their risk of subsequent vision
loss by 19 percent. Although the AREDS vitamin did not improve vision
or cure AMD, these results enabled us to go to patients with definitive
proof that nutritional supplements can protect and preserve vision.”
"Previous studies
had suggested that people who have diets rich in green, leafy vegetables
have a lower risk of developing AMD," said Norman Cohen, MD, an
ophthalmologist who sees hundreds of older adults each week. "However,
the high levels of nutrients that were evaluated in the AREDS are very
difficult to achieve from diet alone.”
That proof turned
into profit for the nutrition companies. Bausch & Lomb, an eye care
company, provided the original AREDS formulation and later sold it as a
tablet called “Ocuvite PreserVision” through pharmacy and retail
outlets. Soon after, other companies began filling shelves with similar
formulations.
Which brings
consumers back to the question, “How do you know which, if any,
supplement is right for you?”
Local
ophthalmologist Dr. Daniel Ferguson recently researched the dizzying
array of choices and offers the following advice, “It is important to
note that the AREDS and two other recent studies have reported no
significant benefit to using these supplements for people with mild (not
advanced) macular degeneration. That’s why you need to see an eye care
specialist before spending your money on these products. He or she will
evaluate if you have AMD, how advanced your condition is, and whether
you may benefit from using a supplement.”
Ferguson further explains,
“If you already have macular degeneration, the best vitamin formulation
for you is determined by the stage of your eye condition and your
smoking status. People with moderate or advanced macular degeneration
and no history of smoking should take products based on the AREDS
formula, such as ICaps® AREDS formula and Ocuvite
PreserVision® AREDS formula (tablets or soft gels). People
with moderate or advanced macular degeneration with a current or
former history of smoking should take an AREDS-based formula with
Lutein, such as ICaps
Lutein & Zeaxanthin formula and PreserVision® Soft Gels
Lutein formula.”
Despite the
encouraging AREDS results, Dr. Brett Rhode, Head of Ophthalmology at
Aurora Sinai Medical Center cautions,
“People should be careful when using any
high-dose vitamin supplement. High-dose nutrients can interfere with
the proper absorption of medications as well as other nutrients, causing
side effects such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones and
anemia. And, beta-carotene has been shown to increase the risk
of lung cancer among smokers.
That’s why people should talk to their
eye care specialist or primary care doctor about the best combination of
nutrients for them.”
Freedman also
strongly advises, “Smokers should end their habit as soon as
possible—not only because of the link between beta-carotene supplements
and lung cancer, but because smoking has been proven to increase the
risk and severity of macular degeneration by up to 300 percent. In
fact, not smoking is the single greatest modifiable risk factor for
AMD.”
Individuals who do
not have macular degeneration should not take the AREDS formulation
vitamin because of the potential risks discussed above. Several
vitamins are available for general eye health; however, clinical trials
have not been performed to determine if these vitamins can prevent the
development of macular degeneration. Options in this category include,
ICaps® MV,
one of the Ocuvite® formulations, or Bayer Nutritional
Science Eye Health & Vitality, notes Ferguson.
The National Eye
Institute is readying a second nationwide study to see if a modified
combination of vitamins, minerals, and fish oil can further slow the
progression of vision loss from AMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study
2 (AREDS2) will refine the findings of the original study by adding
lutein and zeaxanthin (plant-derived yellow pigments that accumulate in
the retina’s macula) and the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA (derived
from fish and vegetable oils) to the study formulation to help prevent
eye cell damage from free radicals.
In the meantime,
instead of searching the aisles for a magic pill, most of us would do
well to protect our ability to see life to the fullest by following
common sense and age-old advice. Dr. Robert Sucher, a local eye surgeon
and co-founder of Eye Care Specialists, S.C., explains,
“Vitamins and
supplements have not been shown to cure eye disease or restore lost
vision. But they, along with avoiding smoking and maintaining a routine
of proper diet (high in fiber, Omega-3 nutrients, fruits and vegetables
and low in unhealthy carbohydrates and fats), exercise, and dilated
annual eye exams, can play a key role in not only protecting and
preserving your vision, but your whole body.”
For a free booklet
about macular degeneration, AREDS, nutritional supplements, and the
latest advances in AMD treatment, call 414-321-7035. |
