Angeles Vision Clinic

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Vitamin and Supplements for the treatment of 

Macular Degeneration

A new study on the effect or oral supplements containing antioxidants with zinc has just been completed on Macular degeneration; The Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). This study followed 3,640 patients over 6.3 years and has shown that we can reduce the rate of progression of some forms of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) with a specific oral supplement buy up to 25%. The formula studied has the following active ingredients:

    • Vitamin A (as beta-carotene) 15 mg
    • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 500 mg
    • Vitamin E (dl alpha-tocopheryl) 400 IU
    • Zinc (as Zinc oxide) 80 mg
    • Copper (as cupric oxide 2 mg

This formulation used in the AREDS was supplies by Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals and widely available in most pharmacies as Ocuvite- Preser Vision formula.

The results indicate that the group taking the above formula had a 25% reduction in the rate of ARMD progression.  It was also interesting that the advantage was only seen in the patients with intermediate or advanced ARMD (see photo).  This is likely due to the short follow up time of the study.  A good recommendation would be, take the supplement:

  • If you have ARMD.
  • If you have a family history of vision loss from ARMD.

In order to understand these findings, an understanding of the various stages and kinds of macular degeneration is necessary.

  • Category 1: No ARMD
  • Category 2: Early ARMD- Mild forms with multiple small drusen and a single or no intermediate drusen.
  • Category 3: Intermediate ARMD- Vision 20/30 or better with at least one large drusen and extensive intermediate drusen.  Geographic atrophy not involving the central vision.
  • Category 4: Advanced ARMD- The better eye to have 20/30 or better vision, with no advanced changes.  The fellow eye had either lesions of advanced ARMD or worse than 20/30 vision and abnormalities sufficient to explain the reduced vision.