Consuming high doses of vitamins (AREDS2, Preservision and Ocuvite) has been proven to reduce vision loss from dry macular degeneration. Eating colorful fruits, vegetables, fish and nuts may also help lower risk factors associated with macular degeneration.

Under wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and begin to leak fluid, leading to blurry or dimmed vision in central regions of vision.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin commonly found in fruits and vegetables, essential to producing collagen in our bones, blood vessels, skin, as well as being an antioxidative that plays an integral role in immune defense and helping our bodies produce it. Research suggests it could even reduce levels of oxidative damage to retinas which contributes to dry macular degeneration progression.

Macular degeneration can cause central vision to blur over time as retinal thickness thins out. A medical eye exam can detect early macular degeneration by inspecting for small protein filled deposits known as drusen underneath the retina – an early telltale sign of macular degeneration. If drusen become larger or multiply, an individual’s risk for macular degeneration increases significantly, whether wet macular degeneration (WMD) or advanced macular degeneration increases as well. Although there is no cure for wet macular degeneration, patients can protect their vision through taking high dose nutritional supplements like those found in large scientific studies like AREDS2 that showed how taking an antioxidant combination of C, E, Lutein and Zinc decreased by 25% the likelihood of progressing to advanced macular degeneration.

As there is no cure for dry macular degeneration, nutritional supplements and a balanced diet can be effective ways of delaying or preventing its worsening. Following your ophthalmologist’s recommendations is key, along with stopping smoking and managing other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and managing medications like cardiovascular revascularisation therapy; getting regular exercise and sleep and following recommendations such as low dose laser therapy or contact lens solutions with UV protection from your doctor to further decrease risk factors for macular degeneration.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant found in almonds, vegetable oils and cereals as well as supplements taken orally or taken as part of multivitamin regimens. Alpha-tocopherol is particularly known for its role in human health; this form can be found primarily in olive and sunflower oils that make up part of European diets; its other forms are found mostly in meat products as well as some vegetables.

Dry macular degeneration is a type of macular degeneration in which small deposits, known as drusen, begin to build up beneath the retina and cause gradual macular tissue thinning and eventual central vision loss. If unchecked, this condition can progress into wet form where abnormal blood vessels grow under retina weakened by drusen and atrophy and leak fluid or even bleed into it causing irreparable damage and vision loss.

Diets rich in dark leafy greens, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, egg yolks and fish may reduce your risk of wet form AMD, while taking supplements of vitamins and minerals may also slow the progress of disease.

As well as eating foods rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals, it’s also important to stop smoking and limit sun exposure. Regular eye exams can help identify early macular degeneration as well as track changes to vision. An ophthalmologist can show you how to perform the Amsler grid at home to identify any problems in central vision.

Lutein

Lutein is a naturally-occurring carotenoid (a yellow or orange pigment that gives fruits, vegetables, and other food its color), found primarily in the retina and macula of the eye, where it acts as an effective light filter against UV damage. Lutein supplements may also be taken in order to ensure you receive sufficient lutein antioxidants. Lutein supplements may help ensure adequate amounts are consumed through diet alone or as part of an overall healthy balanced lifestyle plan.

Studies show that taking lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc together has an immense collective effect in supporting eye health. For example, the AREDS 2 trial revealed that taking these nutrients together reduced progression of dry macular degeneration to advanced stages by 25% compared with placebo.

Dietitians can provide clients with information regarding the importance of eating a diet rich in lutein and other eye-healthy nutrients like Vitamin C, E and Zinc to prevent or slow macular degeneration progression, including vitamin C, E and Zinc. Dietitians can recommend nutritional supplements that will boost lutein and zeaxanthin intake if their current diet doesn’t provide enough of these eye-healthy compounds. Dietitians may also collaborate with ophthalmologists in designing nutritional programs designed to support chronic conditions like Atrophic Dry Macular Degeneration; such programs could include managing other health conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes which could impact eyesight as well.

Zeaxanthin

Carotenoids are among the best vitamins for dry macular degeneration treatment, serving as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals in the eye and protect it from further oxidative damage. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two crucial carotenoids to look out for when it comes to eye health; both can be found naturally in foods like leafy green vegetables and certain fruits as well as in supplement form; studies suggest consuming an abundance of these carotenoid nutrients may lower age-related macular degeneration risk as well as cataract risks.

Lutein and zeaxanthin belong to the xanthophyll family of carotenoid pigments, where their molecular structures are identical. Both nutrients can be found in the retina of your eye where they serve as natural filters to block out high-energy blue light and protect your retina from UV photooxidative damage. Macular pigment (MP) protects you from this form of UV-induced photooxidative damage as well.

Lutein and zeaxanthin provide natural protection from eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy and uveitis. Animal studies have even demonstrated how these nutrients may reduce markers of oxidative stress in those living with diabetes.

An antioxidant rich diet can significantly lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. You’ll find these nutrients in leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens; fruits such as orange peppers; nuts; such as walnuts. All these fruits and vegetables provide rich sources of vitamin C, lutein and zeaxanthin; by including them into your daily diet or taking supplement forms they will keep your eyes strong for life.

Zinc

Zinc (Zn, symbol Zn) can be found naturally as a metallic mineral with a bluish-white hue, and it serves an essential nutritional function in our bodies by helping metabolize protein, maintain normal blood sugar levels, respond to insulin injections, regulate immune response systems and protect cells against premature aging and tissue damage. It has long been recognized for this potential role.

Studies suggest that high doses of antioxidant vitamins and zinc could potentially slow the progression of dry macular degeneration; however, they do not prevent its occurrence or restore vision already lost.

One large scientific study, known as the Age-Related Eye Disease Study or AREDS, demonstrated that people taking a combination of vitamin C, E, beta-carotene and zinc reduced their risk for advanced macular degeneration by 25-75%. A new clinical trial known as AREDS 2 is exploring whether switching out beta-carotene for lutein and zeaxanthin will further increase effectiveness and thus further slow AMD.

Diets that include leafy green vegetables, brightly-colored fruits and other foods rich in pigments and antioxidants may help protect against dry macular degeneration. Your doctor may also suggest fluorescein angiography to evaluate how the retina and macula are functioning – this test injects yellow dye into your arm before taking photos of how it travels through blood vessels in your retina to show if abnormal vessels are growing underneath your retina (wet age-related macular degeneration).

There are treatments that can slow the progression of wet AMD by stopping blood vessel growth and bleeding. These anti-VEGF treatments target specific chemicals in your body responsible for abnormally growing vessels beneath the retina.