Medical Treatment for Macular Degeneration
Currently, there is no treatment available that reverses the effects of macular degeneration. Therefore, it is important that macular degeneration be diagnosed as early as possible to prevent further vision loss.
With dry macular degeneration, the disease progresses relatively slowly. Many people are able to live normal lives, especially in the first two phases of the disease.
The National Eye Institute conducted a major study called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study or AREDS. This study found that certain nutritional supplements could reduce the risk of developing advanced macular degeneration by about 25 percent in patients at high risk for the disease. While not a cure for AMD, the following antioxidants may help high risk patients preserve their remaining vision.
The study formulation included 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 International Units of vitamin E, 15 milligrams of beta-carotene (often labeled as equivalent to 25,000 International Units of vitamin A), 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide and two milligrams of copper as cupric oxide. Copper was added to the AREDS formulations containing zinc to prevent copper deficiency anemia, a condition associated with high levels of zinc intake. It is important to know that beta-carotene is contraindicated in smokers. There is a beta-carotene free version of the AREDS formula, now available, which includes 10 milligrams of lutein and 2 milligrams of zeaxanthin.
Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, including green leafy vegetables, also contribute to overall eye health. However, it would be impossible to achieve the AREDS study formulation through diet alone. Before taking the AREDS recommendation, you should discuss this fully with your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor all of the medications and nutritional supplements you are taking to ensure that there is no drug interaction.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is increasing evidence that the antioxidant lutein, which is found in egg yolk, corn and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, and omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, may reduce the chances of developing wet AMD. The latest study sponsored by the National Eye Institute - the AREDS II Study - confirmed the potential benefits of vitamin supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, lutein and zeaxanthin.
