Nutritional supplement is a treatment for dry macular degeneration. It may also help prevent both wet and dry types. However, you should not try to self-treat vision problems.
AREDS Macular degeneration supplement formula
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that a combination of antioxidant vitamins with zinc helps to slow down the progression of intermediate macular degeneration. The National Eye Institute recommends that people with intermediate AMD or with advanced AMD (wet or dry) in one eye but not in the other can take this supplement each day. However, this supplement will not help prevent AMD, or it slows down the progression in those with early AMD.
The AREDS formula contains:
- Vitamin C (500 mg per day)
- Vitamin E (400 IU per day)
- Beta-carotene (15 mg per day, or 25,000 IU of vitamin A)
- Zinc (80 mg per day)
- Copper (2 mg per day, to prevent copper deficiency that is caused due to extra zinc)
Zinc may be harmful to a dose of 80 mg, so it is advisable to take this combination only under doctor’s supervision.
Xanthophylls (Lutein and zeaxanthin) - High levels of these two carotinoids (antioxidants that give plants orange, red, or yellow color) in the blood may help protect against AMD, either by acting as antioxidants or by protecting the macula from damage due to light. Some study shows that people with AMD, who took lutein, had less vision loss.
NEI is currently conducting a clinical trial, AREDS2 to study whether increasing the in take of xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) and fish oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) will help to prevent the development of advanced AMD. The evidence base suggests that increasing the intake of lutein and zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids may prevent AMD progression.