Diet and nutritional supplements can play an integral part in protecting against vision loss from macular degeneration. An eye care professional would likely recommend eating foods rich in Vitamin C and E, beta-carotene, zinc and copper to reduce this risk.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that taking high doses of vitamins C, E, lutein and zeaxanthin helped slow progression of early AMD. Good sources for these nutrients include green leafy vegetables, kiwi fruit, squash sweet potatoes and yellow corn.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, commonly referred to as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient necessary for our bodies’ normal formation of blood vessels, muscle and cartilage. It also plays a crucial role in our immune systems by fighting infections and healing wounds more efficiently. Vitamin C can be found naturally in many fruits and vegetables including strawberries, tomatoes, oranges, green peppers and papaya; its supplements are also readily available.

Studies have revealed that taking in high amounts of antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, E, Lutein and Zin are proven ways to prevent macular degeneration. These vitamins help protect the retina against the oxidative stress which leads to macular degeneration.

Researchers conducting the Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study found that taking folic acid, pyridoxine, and cobalamin reduced their risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration by 45%. They conducted seven years of follow up on 5,442 participants who already were at increased risk for heart disease – so their health status could change over time without additional supplementation.

Age-related macular degeneration often manifests itself through central vision loss, leading to distortion or blind spots. Furthermore, people living with macular degeneration may also have trouble distinguishing colors or understanding depth perception, leading to further irreparable vision damage if left untreated.

Macular degeneration affects each individual differently, and can either progress slowly or rapidly depending on certain circumstances. Therefore, regular eye exams with an optometrist are highly recommended in order to keep track of its progression and provide treatment options if necessary.

AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) and AREDS2 studies found that taking vitamin C, E, lutein, and beta-carotene supplements significantly decreases your risk of late stage macular degeneration progression. Additional preventive measures, like quitting smoking and sun exposure can increase their efficacy – discuss whether nutritional supplements might be the right fit with your eye doctor for maximum effectiveness.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, widely recognized for its antioxidant properties, can reduce cholesterol oxidation in your eye’s lens and lower the risk of cataract formation – one of the primary causes of macular degeneration. Vitamin E is also essential to retina health – deficiency could increase dry macular degeneration risk significantly. You can find Vitamin E in foods like nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and wheat germ.

National Eye Institute’s 2012 study confirmed that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a “nutrition-responsive disorder.” A clinical trial tested whether antioxidant vitamins and zinc could prevent or slow progression of early AMD in study participants who were at high risk. Results demonstrated a substantial reduction in advanced macular degeneration risk among study participants who received high doses of antioxidant vitamins and zinc supplementation.

However, this approach did not significantly slow the early stages of macular degeneration and no significant differences were evident between groups at four years in terms of best corrected visual acuity and visual function.

The NEI study’s primary advantages were its large size, high compliance rates and follow up, prospective design with photographic documentation and prospective follow up; its major weaknesses included its short duration and relatively low percentage of smokers.

Major limitations included the lack of an intent-to-treat analysis and detailed descriptions of exclusion criteria. Nonetheless, results were encouraging enough to warrant further studies of antioxidants on macular degeneration.

This trial’s findings mirror those of the Women’s Health Study, which similarly found no protective or detrimental effect of long-term, alternate-day intake of 500 IU of Vitamin E supplementation over long periods. However, in this instance, AREDS supplements used were more potency than recommended by experts such as the National Eye Institute or other organizations; it’s therefore wise to discuss any nutritional supplements with your Las Vegas eye doctor prior to use.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B is vitally important to eye health. It aids with vision by reducing inflammation in the eye and serving as an antioxidant that protects against oxidative damage; furthermore it can promote blood circulation within your eye itself and can be found in eggs, milk and many other foods.

Studies have demonstrated that taking Folic Acid, Pyridoxine and Cyanocobalamin together may lower the risk of age related macular degeneration by decreasing homocysteine levels that have been linked to inflammation that affects retina.

Women taking part in the Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study who took supplements of folic acid, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin had 34% lower chances of macular degeneration while those not taking any such supplement had 40% increased odds for advanced macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is one of the primary reasons to receive regular comprehensive eye exams, as early detection can reduce the risk of vision loss and save sight from further damage. Unfortunately, damage already done cannot be reversed but with healthy diet and visits to your eye doctor regularly can help stop macular degeneration from progressing further.

Other nutrients have also been proven to aid in the prevention of macular degeneration, including lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids, which help block blue light from reaching the retina in order to reduce oxidative stress, such as spinach or kale; other fruits and vegetables as well as omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, nuts or seeds and which have anti-diabetic effects as well as protect against dry macular degeneration.

These nutrient-rich foods can be added to a healthy diet to further support eye health, but for best results it’s wise to consult your ophthalmologist first about taking supplements; they can advise you on the correct amounts of vitamins and minerals required to keep your eyes in top condition.

Zinc

Zinc is essential to many metabolic processes in the body, with deficiency being linked with various health issues ranging from age-related macular degeneration to digestive problems and more.

Zinc may help protect against age-related macular degeneration by helping maintain a strong immune system. Zinc has many positive impacts on immunity, such as modulating cytokine production and preventing cell death (Mocchegiani et al. 2000).

Studies have demonstrated that zinc supplements may slow the rate of decline in visual acuity for those suffering from dry age-related macular degeneration, though it remains uncertain whether these alone will prevent advanced age-related macular degeneration or slow its progression. A combination of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants may be required in order for zinc supplements to have any noticeable impact in terms of macular degeneration prevention and treatment.

Studies conducted under AREDS demonstrated that taking daily supplements containing Vitamin C, E and Zin can significantly decrease macular degeneration progression, so many doctors advise their patients with moderate or severe age-related macular degeneration to take daily vitamins containing these three nutrients as part of a plan to protect themselves from its progression.

This combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is also recommended to those at higher risk for age-related macular degeneration, including those who have a family history of it or smoke cigarettes. According to an AREDS study, taking the specific combination can slow advanced age-related macular degeneration development by approximately 25 percent.

Studies have also demonstrated that zinc supplementation can assist new blood vessels under the retina to function more effectively, thus helping prevent geographic atrophy – an advanced form of macular degeneration caused by fragile and leaky new blood vessels forming under the macula that lead to sudden vision loss. A high dose zinc supplementation regimen alongside other nutrients used in AREDS such as lutein and zeaxanthin showed significantly decreased risks for geographic atrophy as well as progression to advanced macular degeneration.