Also indexed as: Age-Related Macular Degeneration,
Maculopathy
Keep your vision in good condition by taking care to prevent
macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness later in life. According to research or
other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful:
- Load up on lutein
- Supply the eyes with this healthy antioxidant by taking 10 mg per
day and eating plenty of green leafy vegetables
- Seek support from a multi
- Protect your sight by taking a daily multivitamin containing
beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and riboflavin
- Block those rays
- Wear glasses that block ultraviolet rays to prevent eye damage
that can contribute to macular degeneration
- Go for the ginkgo
- Get help for early stage macular degeneration by taking 120 to 160
mg a day of a standardized Ginkgo biloba herbal extract
- Say good-bye to smoking
- Kick this unhealthy habit that has been linked to increased
risk
- Talk to your doctor
- Ask about the prescription drugs pegaptanib (Macugen) and
verteporfin (Visudyne); both may benefit people with age-related macular degeneration
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace
the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full macular degeneration
article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and
dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.
About macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is the degeneration of the macula retinae, also called the macula
lutea, an oval disc on the retina in the back of the eye.
Degeneration of the macula retinae is the leading cause of blindness in elderly
Americans.1
Product ratings for macular
degeneration
What are the symptoms?
Macular degeneration is typically painless and includes symptoms of dark or blurry areas in
the center of vision, seeing distortions of straight lines, and difficulty doing activities
that require sharp vision (e.g., driving and reading). Peripheral (side) vision may remain
clear.
Medical options
Prescription medications include the injectable drugs pegaptanib (Macugen) and verteporfin
(Visudyne).
Eyeglasses are often prescribed that provide protection from the sun’s ultraviolet
rays. Underlying medical conditions, such as
diabetes and high blood pressure, are
treated when present. In some cases, laser eye surgery may be recommended.
Dietary changes that may be helpful
In a preliminary study, high intake of saturated fat and
cholesterol was associated with an increased risk of developing macular
degeneration.2
According to preliminary research, people who eat fish more than once per week have half the risk of
developing age-related macular degeneration compared with people who eat fish less than once
per month.3
Total alcohol consumption has not been linked to macular degeneration in most
studies.4 5 However, one research group has linked beer consumption to
macular degeneration,6 7 and in one of two trials, wine drinkers were
found to have a significantly lower risk of macular degeneration compared with people
not drinking wine.8 9 Most doctors consider these reports too
preliminary to suggest either avoiding beer or increasing wine consumption.
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful
Smoking has been linked to macular degeneration. Quitting smoking may reduce the risk of developing
macular degeneration.
Vitamins that may be helpful
Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants in the carotenoid family. These carotenoids, found in high
concentrations in spinach, collard greens, and kale, have an affinity for the part of the retina
where macular degeneration occurs. Once there, they protect the retina from damage caused by
sunlight.10
Harvard researchers reported that people eating the most lutein and zeaxanthin—an
average of 5.8 mg per day—had a 57% decreased risk of macular degeneration, compared
with people eating the least.11 While spinach and kale eaters have a lower risk of
macular degeneration, blood levels of lutein did not correlate with risk of macular
degeneration in one trial.12 13 In a double-blind study of people with
macular degeneration, supplementation with lutein (10 mg per day) for one year significantly
improved vision, compared with a placebo.14 Lutein was beneficial for people with
both early and advanced stages of the disease. Lutein and zeaxanthin can be taken as
supplements; 6 mg per day of lutein may be a useful amount.
Sunlight triggers oxidative damage in the eye, which in turn can cause macular
degeneration.15 Animals given
antioxidants—which protect against oxidative damage—have a lower risk of this
vision problem.16 People with high blood levels of antioxidants also have a lower
risk.17 Those with the highest levels (top 20th percentile) of the antioxidants selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin E may have a 70% lower risk of developing
macular degeneration, compared with people with the lowest levels of these nutrients (bottom
20th percentile).18 People who eat
fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotene, another antioxidant, are also at low
risk.19 Some doctors recommend antioxidant supplements to reduce the risk of
macular degeneration; reasonable adult levels include 200 mcg of selenium, 1,000 mg of vitamin
C, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 25,000 IU of natural beta-carotene per day. However, a preliminary
study found no association between age-related macular degeneration and intake of
antioxidants, either from the diet, from supplements, or from both combined.20
Moreover, in a double-blind study of male cigarette smokers, supplementing with vitamin E (50
IU per day), synthetic beta-carotene (about 33,000 IU per day), or both did not reduce the
incidence of age-related macular degeneration.21
Two important enzymes in the retina that are needed for vision require zinc. In a double-blind trial, supplementation with 45
mg of zinc per day for one to two years significantly reduced the rate of visual loss in
people with macular degeneration.22 However, in another double-blind trial,
supplementation with the same amount of zinc did not prevent vision loss among people with a
particular type of macular degeneration (the exudative form).23
In a double-blind study, supplementation with a proprietary blend of acetyl-L-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, and coenzyme Q10 for 12 months resulted in an improvement
in both visual function and in objective findings on eye examination (a decrease in the
drusen-covered area on the retina).24
In a blinded six-month study of people with macular degeneration, vision was the same or
better in 88% people who took a nutritional supplement, compared with 59% of those who refused
to take the supplement (a statistically significant difference). The supplement used in this
study contained beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc,
copper, manganese, selenium, and riboflavin.25 People wishing to take all of
these nutrients may supplement with a
multivitamin-multimineral formula.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
Herbs that may be helpful
Ginkgo(Ginkgo biloba) may help
treat early-stage macular degeneration, according to small, preliminary clinical
trials.26 Many healthcare professionals recommend 120 to 240 mg of standardized
extract (24% ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones) in capsules or tablets per
day.
Bilberry’s active flavonoid compounds, anthocyanosides, act as antioxidants in the retina of the eye. Therefore,
supplementing with bilberry would theoretically be of value for the prevention or treatment of
early-stage macular degeneration.27 Bilberry has also been shown to strengthen
capillaries and to reduce bleeding in the retina.28 A typical amount of bilberry
used in studies was 480–600 mg per day of an extract standardized to contain 25%
anthocyanosides, taken in capsules or tablets.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.
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