Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, damages a specific region within each eye known as the macula and impairs central vision; making straight lines appear wavy or blurred.

Diet and nutrition can play an essential role in helping prevent eye diseases such as macular degeneration. Therefore, it’s vital that regular dilated eye exams be undertaken, along with adding various nutrients into your diet to meet RDAs (Recommended Dietary Allowances).

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient that acts as an antioxidant for eye protection, protecting both cornea and conjunctiva from damage and aiding night vision. Furthermore, this key nutrient provides protection for human bodies against blindness; deficiencies of this vital ingredient could result in blindness. Carrots are an excellent source of Vitamin A and including them regularly in your diet is an easy way to supplement it. Vitamin A (retinol in the body) is vital for good skin health, immunity and normal growth and development; without enough retinol available to our bodies it would lead to night blindness, cornea and conjunctiva xerosis and even permanent blindness due to vitamin A deficiency.

Research indicates that certain vitamins and minerals may help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The National Eye Institute’s (NEI) AREDS study demonstrated this claim by finding that high dose formulations of specific antioxidant vitamins and minerals could delay dry AMD progression while decreasing risk. It’s important to remember, though, that taking high-dose vitamins doesn’t replace regular eye exams from your physician.

Recent research published in Maturitas found that higher concentrations of vitamin D in blood are linked with reduced risks of macular degeneration. This finding is consistent with previous research linking diet containing lutein and vitamin C to reduced risks of wet macular degeneration. ProMed Eye Health’s AREDS2 supplement formula exceeds standards and findings found within studies such as AREDS 2, Vision Institute of Canada LAST Trial (Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial). Available both tablet and gel forms.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, more commonly known by its scientific name as ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant with numerous roles to play in our bodies, from aiding collagen formation in tissues to iron absorption, free radical damage reduction and protecting cells against oxidative stress. Adults should aim for daily consumption of 500 mg dietary vitamin C.

Diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin found in leafy green vegetables such as kale, turnip greens, collards and spinach may be especially beneficial to eye health. One study demonstrated that women who consumed large quantities of lutein experienced 23% reduced risks of cataract development – egg yolks are another excellent source of this essential nutrient as are oranges, squash and carrots.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among older Americans, affecting 2.5 million over 50. AMD occurs when there are changes to the retina, the small area located at the back of each eye used for central vision. There are two forms of AMD: dry or atrophic and wet; these two variants occur when blood vessels in the retina break and leak fluid into the eye, respectively.

The AREDS studies (funded by the National Institutes of Health) demonstrated that supplementing with vitamins C, E, zinc and copper could significantly slow progression from moderate to advanced AMD as well as reduce chances of wet AMD that may lead to permanent blindness.

If you are uncertain whether your diet contains sufficient amounts of the above nutrients, consult with an ophthalmologist. They can offer guidance and recommendations regarding eating for healthy eyes or recommend supplements if necessary – such as Vitamin C, fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids and A/E vitamins.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant known to protect the retina and other parts of the eye from oxidative damage. It can be found in numerous foods, such as vegetable oils, wheat germ, nuts and sweet potatoes. While different isoforms exist for vitamin E supplementation, only a-tocopherol has been demonstrated to successfully prevent Ataxia with Isolated Vitamin E Deficiency (AVED). Preclinical research also suggests its impact in modulating cell signaling pathways as well as gene transcription; although these roles remain to be fully explored.

Diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin may help protect against age-related macular degeneration, a progressive condition that gradually leads to loss of central vision. Furthermore, it may decrease your risk of cataracts – clouding of the lens that can lead to blindness – making dark green vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli an excellent source. Other sources include egg yolks, dark oranges and peppers as well as cold-water fish such as salmon as additional sources.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) revealed that moderate doses of vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and zinc could slow AMD progression. Similar dosages can now be found in popular multivitamin supplements like Max Vitality.

Zinc is a trace mineral abundantly found in the retina and plays an essential role in producing vitamin A as well as functioning of the ocular nerves and maintaining normal night vision. You can get Zinc through consuming meat, seafood and legumes or by taking a supplement daily.

Zinc

Eye health depends on a range of nutrients, such as vitamins A and C, lutein/zeaxanthin/omega-3 fatty acids/zinc. According to experts at dsm-firmenich, all of these essential eye-health vitamins play a vital role in retinal development, visual acuity/glare recovery/blue light filtering as well as blue light filtering.

Vitamin A is crucial for eye health as it aids the production of pigments found in your retina. You can obtain it from foods like beef or chicken liver, cod fish, eggs and kale. Vitamin C also plays an essential role in protecting eyesight by lowering risk factors associated with cataracts and macular degeneration; you can source it from various foods like strawberries, oranges and kale. Furthermore, powerful antioxidant Vitamin E protects retinas against free radical damage; you can find this nutrient in almonds and dark chocolate for example.

Your diet could play a key role in preventing or delaying age-related macular degeneration by altering it according to the guidance of both an ophthalmologist and primary care doctor. Eating a diet rich in dark leafy green vegetables and fruits while restricting refined carbs like white rice, flour and breads may be one way to achieve prevention or postponement of age-related macular degeneration. You could also try supplementing it with nutritional supplements specifically targeted towards eye health such as 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 international units of vitamin E and 80 mg of zinc for improvement of eye health benefits.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study (AREDS) found that supplements containing these ingredients significantly slowed the progression of moderate to late AMD among people who had yellowish deposits called drusen on their retinas. A subsequent study demonstrated that replacing lutein and zeaxanthin with beta-carotene increased this benefit and also decreased lung cancer risk significantly.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids ALA and DHA, in particular, are an integral component of retinal health, helping maintain normal vision while decreasing the risk of macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. Studies have also revealed that those who consume more EPA and DHA through diet are at lower risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration.

Studies demonstrate the combined use of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduced progression of AMD among people who already had intermediate or advanced AMD in both eyes, according to one AREDS study. A second AREDS trial also examined their addition, but did not find them to be as beneficial.

Eye care specialists often advise eating fresh, colorful vegetables and an assortment of fruit to get enough vitamins A, C, E and zinc from food alone; for those unable to do this however, supplementation may be necessary. Make an appointment with your optometrist and discuss recommended daily dosages and safe regimens for taking eye vitamins. While eye vitamins may help prevent certain conditions, they do not work alone – for optimal vision preservation and to avoid blindness in the future, regular visits to your physician should still be scheduled in conjunction with taking eye vitamins. This way they can identify early diagnoses issues, providing timely treatments before problems worsen – one way that vitamins can play an essential part.