Macular degeneration is a disorder that includes a variety of eye diseases that affect “central vision”. Central vision is what you see directly in front of you rather than what you see at the side (or periphery) of your vision.  Macular degeneration is caused when part of the retina deteriorates. The retina is the interior layer of the eye. The macula is the central portion of the retina and is responsible for detailed vision.  The underlying cause for macular degeneration is still not fully understood, though there appears to be a strong family history component.

 

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in people older than 55 years in the United States.  

Age-related macular degeneration affects more than 1.75 million individuals in the United States.

 

 

Gradual breakdown of cells in the macula.

Multiple, small, round, yellow-white spots called drusen are the key identifiers for the dry type.

Most people with age-related macular degeneration begin with the dry form.

The dry form of macular degeneration is much more common than the wet form.

In the wet form, newly created abnormal blood vessels grow under the center of the retina.

These blood vessels leak, bleed, and scar the retina, distorting vision or destroying central vision.

Vision distortion may be rapid in the wet type of macular degeneration.

As the world’s population ages, macular degeneration will likely rise. Yet, some simple nutritional interventions started by the age 30 or earlier may give you the extra edge to either delay or lessen your chances of manifesting this eye disease.  Indeed an ounce of prevention is priceless.  At this point in the medical literature there is great promise for nutritional approaches, yet no “cures” can be guaranteed.

 

 

Macular degeneration fully embodies a disease where prevention is by far the best approach.  Yet, natural therapies can prove helpful as directed by ones eye specialist as part of an overall comprehensive approach.  The following nutrients are supported by the medical and scientific literature.

 

Vitamin C – 2000 to 4000 mg per day with bioflavonoids

 

Vitamin E - 400 to 800 IU of d-alpha or mixed tocopherol

 

Vitamin A - 5000 IU per day or as directed by ones physician

 

Beta-carotene - 5000 to  20,000 IU daily

 

Lutein and zeaxanthin - 20 mg of Lutein and corresponding zeaxanthin

 

Quercetin - 300 to 500 mg 2 to 3 times a day (unless pregnant)

 

Selenium - 200 mcg daily, often in a multivitamin

 

Gingko - 60-80 mg of 24% standardized extract 1 to 2 times a day

 

Bilberry - 25% extract 60-120 mg 1 to 3 times a day

Food-based Multi-Vitamin for Women – protects against nutrient deficiency.

Food-based Multi-Vitamin for Men – protects against nutrient deficiency.

 

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