Macular degeneration is a condition affecting the center of your visual field, manifested as blurriness or dark patches in your central vision, and straight lines appearing crookedly.

Studies have demonstrated the ability of high-potency multivitamin formulas to delay moderate to advanced forms of age related macular degeneration (dry AMD). For this research project, PreserVision AREDS 2 eye vitamins formulation was utilized.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein and zeaxanthin are natural pigments (carotenoid) that play a vital role in eye health. Deposited in the central portion of retina (macula), they help filter harmful high-energy blue wavelengths that damage photoreceptor cells responsible for our central vision and color perception. Studies have also linked higher levels of these carotenoid pigments with decreased rates of age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation.

These natural antioxidants act as protectors against oxidative stress caused by sunlight and environmental pollutants like cigarette smoke, acting in concert with other natural antioxidants like vitamins C and E to neutralize free radicals that could otherwise lead to cell damage and illness.

Carotenoids have been shown to slow the progression of macular degeneration, particularly among those suffering from wet AMD. Together with the other seven nutrients studied as part of AREDS study (beta-carotene, vitamin C, zinc copper lutein and omega-3 LCPUFAs), they may help lower risks for advanced macular degeneration.

Recent research demonstrates this link, showing that individuals with higher macular pigment optical densities were less likely to experience wet AMD than those with the lowest levels. MPOD measures how much healthy macular pigment exists within an eye and is an accurate way to ascertain if nutritional supplementation may be needed.

Studies have demonstrated that supplementing with vitamins C, lutein and zeaxanthin could lower macular degeneration risk by at least 25% and slow the rate of progression of wet AMD for those already living with the condition.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an extremely potent antioxidant, known to reduce macular degeneration progression and lower the risk of cataract formation. Some food sources of Vitamin C include green leafy vegetables, berries, and oranges.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the deterioration of the macula, which serves to sharpen vision by providing you with clear details when threading a needle or reading. When this part of your retina breaks down it may lead to blurriness or darkness at the center of your vision, as well as blurriness or darkness around edges of objects you look at closely.

Researchers have recently demonstrated how taking vitamins and minerals together can significantly enhance quality of life for those living with advanced macular degeneration. According to an extensive scientific study known as Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study (AREDS), people taking a specific formula containing C and E vitamins, beta carotene, lutein, zinc, and other substances significantly reduced their risk of losing central vision – with original formulation even becoming more effective due to updates made since; now more people use improved formulation known as AREDS2 formula.

Diet and supplements can provide most of these essential vitamins and minerals; however, for best results it’s a good idea to consult an eye doctor or ophthalmologist prior to making decisions on supplement intake. They will be able to advise how much of each nutrient is safe for your body, recommend quality brands of supplements, as well as how best to incorporate these essentials into your daily diet for optimal eye health – perhaps by adding foods rich in these vitamins and minerals into meals more often – thus helping prevent age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, dry eye syndrome occurrence.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant essential to protecting retinal health from free radical damage, according to numerous studies. Dietary supplementation of 400 international units per day of Vitamin E was shown to decrease risk for macular degeneration by 25 percent; participants taking it had significantly less of an opportunity for advanced AMD than those not supplementing.

Macular degeneration diminishes your central vision, making reading, driving and other daily tasks difficult. But it doesn’t cause total blindness – those suffering from macular degeneration can still see peripheral imagery (for instance the outline of a clock) around them.

Experts generally consider nutritional supplementation beneficial in preventing or slowing the progression of dry macular degeneration, including diet rich in dark leafy green vegetables, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, foods high in vitamins C and E as well as limited saturated and trans fat consumption as well as quitting smoking.

Recent research suggests that supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin could further lower the risk of advanced AMD when taken together, when compared with taking just the original AREDS formulation alone. Both nutrients belong to the carotenoid family of vitamins, which have previously proven their ability to lower risks associated with neovascular macular degeneration.

Westside Eye Clinic ophthalmologists can conduct macular degeneration diagnostic tests such as grid test and optical coherence tomography scan (OCT). Furthermore, they will devise a treatment plan specifically tailored to you.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A plays an essential part in eye health. As part of rhodopsin, an eye compound which ensures you can detect colors and light accurately, it ensures clear vision with vibrant hues. Furthermore, it increases lubrication in your eyes to help ward off night blindness. Vitamin A can be found both animal- and plant-based foods including beef livers, egg yolks and spinach/carrot/kale; with animal sources providing easily absorbed forms while pro-Vitamin A carotenoids must first be converted to retinol before they can be utilized by your eyes – animal sources being more easily utilized by your eyes than plant derived pro-Vitamin A carotenoids must first converted to become usable retinol to be utilized by them both.

Observational studies have suggested that increased intakes of the plant pigments lutein and zeaxanthin may decrease macular degeneration risk, while also maintaining corneal clarity which controls how much light enters your retinas. According to The Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study (AREDS), combination therapy containing vitamins C & E, beta carotene, and zinc slows progression from mild to moderate macular degeneration in adults.

Future macular degeneration treatments hold promise of slowing through new approaches. Anti-angiogenic drugs may hold the key to slowing degeneration through inhibiting vascular growth in the retina; one such drug, Macugen, was recently approved by the FDA. Meanwhile, eating well-balanced meals and taking eye health supplements such as Macugen are key ways of keeping vision as healthy as possible until further advancement occurs. Talk to your doctor about developing an individual macular degeneration treatment plan tailored specifically to you; smoking should also be avoided and limited sun exposure reduced to further lower risks associated with eye diseases developing. For more information please visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology website

Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace mineral known to help slow early macular degeneration. It can be found naturally in many foods like peanuts, pumpkin seeds, meat and oysters as well as included in many single-tablet vitamin and mineral supplements containing zinc gluconate or monomethionine as the most prevalent forms.

Zinc acts to fight free radicals and stop the breakdown of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid, thus protecting against dry eyes. Furthermore, zinc has also been proven more effective at relieving dry eye symptoms than omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.

Regular dilated eye exams can detect macular degeneration early, making them particularly essential for those over 60. Smoking and high blood pressure increase your risk for wet macular degeneration; other risk factors include family history, obesity and eating a diet low in fruits, vegetables and fish. Wet macular degeneration can result in permanent vision loss requiring medical treatment to restore vision loss.

Advanced macular degeneration occurs when cells in the macula breakdown, leaving only blurry central vision that makes reading, driving and recognising faces difficult. If this happens to you, symptoms may include blurriness or blind spots in your vision; straight lines may seem crooked due to retinal damage in this region resulting in blurry areas of central vision that makes straight lines unrecognizable or straight lines seem wavy or crookedness resulting from its breakdown and leaving only blurry central vision areas as an impression in central vision.

Studies have demonstrated the positive association between diets rich in zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin and wet macular degeneration risk reduction and an AREDS2 study examining whether adding these two nutrients would enhance its effectiveness; results revealed an average 25 percent lower risk for advanced macular degeneration over five years in populations supplementing with all three nutrients combined.