Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition which affects the central part of your vision, compromising reading, driving and other essential tasks. Unfortunately, no cure exists but nutritional supplements may offer relief.

Studies have demonstrated that people who consume high concentrations of carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins are at reduced risk of AMD than those without these substances in their diets. Vitamin B1 can also serve as an important preventative treatment.

Vitamin C

Macular degeneration is an eye condition affecting the central area of your retina known as the macula. Your macula provides central vision which enables you to see fine detail, read, drive and recognize colors; macular degeneration causes this area to become blurry or dim and is one of the leading causes of severe vision loss and legal blindness in North America and Europe.

AMD is caused by ageing and certain genetic traits, with smoking being one of the biggest contributing factors. Smoking damages blood vessels in the eyes and can accelerate macular degeneration; smokers are twice as likely to develop wet macular degeneration than non-smokers; early diagnosis and treatment may help delay its progression.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is a water soluble vitamin found naturally in foods like fruits and vegetables, where it plays many important functions in the body, such as producing collagen for bone structure. Furthermore, this nutrient acts as an antioxidant protecting against environmental oxidative stress as well as cell aging.

Studies have indicated that daily intake of 1000mg Vitamin C could lower risk of wet macular degeneration by approximately 20%; however, results vary across studies due to different methods used and disease definitions.

Pharmacists can play an invaluable role in counseling patients on the benefits of vitamins. Furthermore, pharmacists are an ideal source of information regarding risk factors for macular degeneration as well as preventative steps like quitting smoking and eating healthy diet. In addition, pharmacists can refer patients to ophthalmologists for screening services. Lastly, pharmacists can educate their clients regarding wet macular degeneration treatments like anti-VEGF injections which can slow progression of disease while increasing visual acuity.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, an all-natural antioxidant, works to protect the eyes against free radical damage caused by free radicals. Studies have also linked vitamin E with slowing macular degeneration progression. Vitamin E comes in both natural (d-alpha tocopherol) and synthetic forms (dl-alpha tocopherol); however, studies have identified natural forms as being more beneficial for eye health than synthetic forms dl-alpha tocopherol). For optimal results take a high quality vitamin E supplement like Nano-E.

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive blinding disease that slowly saps your vision by damaging the macula – the center of the retina. There is no known cure, though nutritional supplements may provide relief.

The AREDS study demonstrated that supplementing with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper could significantly lower risk of advanced macular degeneration for people at high risk for this condition by 25%. A similar regimen was employed in AREDS2 but with additional nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin added because these substances don’t increase lung cancer risks like beta-carotene does.

Alongside antioxidant vitamins, it is equally essential to consume a diet rich in carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. Such diets may reduce risk for macular degeneration and cataracts as well as improve vision in those already affected.

Diets rich in green vegetables, berries and orange fruits and vegetables are an effective way to increase nutrition intake. These foods also serve as good sources of dietary fiber – known for improving gut health and decreasing inflammation within the body – both of which may play a part in macular degeneration symptoms. You may be able to find these essential vitamins through multivitamin supplements.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein (loo-teen) and zeaxanthin (zee-ah-ZAN-thin) are two antioxidants that act as natural light filters, providing the eyes with protection from damage by filtering harmful blue and ultraviolet rays. Both dietary carotenoids can be found in high concentration in the macula of the eye – hence their name macular carotenoids! These two nutrients play an essential role in protecting eyes from damage due to harmful blue light exposure, while acting as protectors against cataract development as well.

The crystalline lens of the eye collects and focuses light onto the retina, but for this to work efficiently it must remain clear. One of the main causes of cataracts is oxidation that cloud the lens; to neutralize free radicals associated with this damage lutein and zeaxanthin play an essential role. Studies have also indicated that increased intakes of these antioxidants are linked with decreased risks for cataracts.

Lutein and zeaxanthin have both been shown to increase macular pigment levels in the retina, which helps improve visual acuity while decreasing macular degeneration risk for people who carry genetic mutations that make them more prone to this form of macular degeneration. An AREDS study demonstrated how higher intakes of vitamins C, E, beta carotene zinc copper reduced progression risk by 25% for early and advanced age related macular degeneration – this same formulation is now available as an effective multivitamin supplement!

Studies have demonstrated the power of lutein and zeaxanthin to lower the risk of age related macular degeneration by slowing its progress, protecting against dry macular degeneration and decreasing exudative AMD risk. They may also protect against dry macular degeneration while decreasing exudative AMD risks. People with genetic age related macular degeneration who ate more lutein and zeaxanthin had lower urinary amyloid beta protein levels linked to progression. According to an AREDS study those with higher intake were less likely to advance or late stage age related macular degeneration due to having lower amyloid beta levels in their eyes compared with their counterparts who consumed less lutein/zeaxanthin consumed more often consuming less protein amyloid beta linked with progression of disease progression.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids with an excellent reputation as health boosters. Omega-3s may improve cell membrane fluidity and may help slow macular degeneration progression; omega-3s can be found both in seafood as well as supplements; studies have linked consuming more docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), respectively, to lower risks of macular degeneration.

One study demonstrated that participants who consumed more omega-3 fatty acids through diet were less likely to progress from early dry AMD (severe drusen) into wet AMD. Researchers suspected this might be related to eye cells’ use of these essential fatty acids which easily cross into retinal cells and prevent inflammation; possibly contributing to reduced visual deterioration with age.

Studies conducted over the last few years have consistently reported that increasing omega-3 fatty acid consumption is linked with decreased risks of wet macular degeneration in Caucasians. This observation is supported by results of the VITAL (Vitamin D and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Trial), but without finding evidence of vitamin D supplementation having an anti-degeneration benefit in this population.

EPA and DHA can be found in numerous foods, such as cold-water fish like tuna, salmon, trout and mackerel as well as vegetable oils like flaxseed, chia seed, soy and canola oil. Vegetarians may obtain these omega-3s from algal oil supplements.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been suggested to possess antiarrhythmic, antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects; in comparison, omega-6 fatty acids found in many seeds and vegetable oils promote prothrombotic conditions that contribute to inflammation. This pilot study will investigate whether supplementing omega-3 LCPUFAs with lutein and zeaxanthin helps slow progression in participants with macular degeneration. This study will ultimately serve as preparation for a large-scale, randomized clinical trial that will test whether macular xanthophylls combined with omega-3 fatty acids can significantly slow down the progression of macular degeneration. It is anticipated to begin sometime during 2017. More than 2,000 participants with dry or wet age-related macular degeneration being treated by their physician will participate.