Macular degeneration affects your central vision, making it harder to read, drive or recognize people. But it doesn’t impede peripheral vision – which allows us to see things such as straight lines or colors – in any way.

Ten percent of individuals suffering macular degeneration have “wet” forms, in which drusen grows and abnormal blood vessels form underneath the retina (known as Choroidal Neovascular Membranes or CNVMs). According to recent scientific research, supplementing your diet with certain nutritional supplements could slow this progression of disease.

AREDS2 Formula

National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study (AREDS) research has demonstrated that taking certain anti-oxidant nutrients significantly decreases the risk of moderate to advanced AMD progression. These anti-oxidants include vitamins C and E, beta carotene, zinc and copper in high dose servings; more recently the AREDS2 research group added lutein and zeaxanthin for further reduced progression risk in people with dry macular degeneration – Bausch + Lomb was the first company to offer this key AREDS 2 nutrition in convenient chewable form!

The AREDS2 Study, completed in 2013, involved 4,203 participants at 82 clinics throughout the US, who were followed to determine whether supplementing with lutein, zeaxanthin, Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA to the original AREDS antioxidant formula could further lower their risk of advanced ARMD progression.

Researchers studying AMD found that adding Lutein and Zeaxanthin, DHA, and EPA to the original AREDS antioxidant formulation reduced progression rates significantly while remaining safe and well tolerated. Viteyes AREDS2 supplements are based on this clinically effective formula tested in the AREDS2 trial; each Viteyes AREDS2 tablet includes high levels of Zinc, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E combined with additional Lutein Zeaxanthin to promote macular health and slow down AMD progression.

Vitamin C

Macular degeneration is a progressive condition that causes blurry or dark areas in the center of your vision, impacting over 10% of people aged 80 or above. Though not preventable, macular degeneration may be delayed through regular medical eye exams and eating foods rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc vitamins.

Macular degeneration comes in two varieties, dry and wet. The former occurs as a result of age and thin macula tissue, leading to the development of drusen deposits beneath the retina, usually gradually. Vision loss typically happens over time. With wet macular degeneration, new blood vessels form under the retina (neovascularization) leaking fluid and blood into central vision areas and blurring or dimming it over time.

Though macular degeneration cannot be reversed, vitamin supplements have been found to slow its progression. According to the AREDS study, moderate dosages of old formulations of Vitamin C, E, beta-carotene zinc and copper slowed its progress by 25%; similar dosages may be found in robust multivitamin supplements like Maximum Vitality.

If early macular degeneration is present, your doctor can detect it with an at-home test utilizing a grid to measure central vision and perform tests of retinal blood vessels. They may also recommend low-vision devices to help adjust to any changes to your vision.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin known to serve as an antioxidant, found in foods like nuts, seeds and vegetable oils. Studies suggest it may help prevent macular degeneration as well as protect against other eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts. Furthermore, studies show it helps lower cardiovascular disease risks, cancer risks and inflammation disorders.

Macular degeneration is the breakdown of the macula located at the back of the eye, characterized by blurriness or darkness in the center of vision, making reading, driving and other activities that require central vision more challenging than before. It does not affect side (peripheral) vision.

Macular degeneration cannot be reversed, but its progression may be slowdown by making certain dietary and lifestyle adjustments. Regular eye exams with dilation should also help; keeping blood vessels healthy through controlling cholesterol intake, giving up smoking and eating a diet low in saturated fats may all assist as well.

Macular degeneration comes in two forms, dry and wet. The dry form is the more prevalent one and begins with deposits of fatty protein known as drusen forming under the retina, leading to gradual vision loss. On the other hand, wet macular degeneration arises when abnormal blood vessels form beneath it; this form has an increased risk for advanced AMD due to smoking, cholesterol levels and blood pressure; leading to rapid vision loss with serious consequences.

Lutein

Lutein is a natural fat-soluble carotenoid antioxidant found in high concentration in the retina of the eye, specifically within its macula region that controls central vision. Lutein acts as a filter by absorbing blue wavelength light from the sun while protecting against oxidative damage to reduce overall retinal degradation*.

Studies indicate that supplementing with lutein can provide many health benefits, including cardiovascular disease.* One research study that compared lung cancer rates across Polynesia revealed that people on Fiji Islands experienced significantly lower rates than other islanders despite smoking similar amounts; this may have been caused by their consumption of three to six times more leafy green vegetables rich in lutein than counterparts elsewhere in Polynesia.*

Studies suggest lutein and zeaxanthin may provide additional protection from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and improve vision for people living with cataracts or AMD.* One recent trial conducted by the National Eye Institute with over 50,000 participants demonstrated an additional 20% decrease in late AMD progression compared with taking beta-carotene formula alone.*

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients, since your body cannot produce them on its own; to obtain them through food you consume. Fatty acids are chains-like molecules composed of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms which attach themselves to available spaces in cell membranes for absorption into body cells.

Fish and certain plants contain three omega-3 fatty acids known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; C18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3), which differ significantly from saturated and monounsaturated fats found in meat and dairy products that only have one carbon-carbon double bond.

Studies conducted over time have clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, and zinc supplements to those at high risk of wet macular degeneration from dry macular degeneration. Furthermore, such supplement can help protect retinal swelling or edema which leads to abnormal blood vessel formation resulting in lost vision.

Diets rich in omega-3s may also provide protection from depression and other mental health conditions, as well as cardiovascular disease. Omega-3’s long-chain fatty acids have many positive benefits including improving heart health, decreasing inflammation and supporting balanced immunity function. Omega-3 supplements come in various forms including oils, tablets and capsules; Kaged Muscle offers one that has been independently tested to ensure quality, purity and potency.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10, produced naturally within the human body and available as a dietary supplement, supports cell reactions leading to energy production via Adenosine Triphosphate or ATP production. Found in every mitochondria in our bodies’ cells and especially abundant in those organs with higher metabolic rates such as the heart and liver.

CoQ10, an antioxidant nutrient that aids cells in using oxygen and transporting nutrients, offers protection from free radical damage as well as accumulation of harmful oxidative byproducts. Studies have revealed that those suffering from cardiovascular problems or cancer tend to have lower CoQ10 levels.

Research indicates that CoQ10 not only has benefits for the heart, but can also slow age-related macular degeneration – a condition whereby the central part of the retina gradually loses color and clarity resulting in gradual vision loss that makes daily tasks such as driving or reading increasingly challenging.

CoQ10 supplements are currently being studied for several health effects, such as relieving muscle aches caused by statin drugs taken to lower cholesterol and slowing Parkinson’s disease progression, however results of studies are limited. Furthermore, preliminary data suggests CoQ10 could boost stamina among AIDS patients and stabilize blood sugar levels among diabetics.