Macular Degeneration Studies All References Link Directly to NIH Pubmed Abstracts

1.  Lutein supplementation increases macular pigmentation.  Significant improvement in visual function was noted in elderly patients who took lutein supplements with and without antioxidants.  Those consuming lutein-rich foods (spinach and collard greens) 5X/week were found to be 8X less likely to develop macular degeneration than those eating them once a month.   Richer, Stiles, et al. Optometry. 2004 Apr;75(4):216-30. Seddon, et al. JAMA 1994 Nov 9;272(18):1413-20.   Landrum, et al. Exp Eye Res 1997 Jul;65(1):57-62.  Hammond, et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1997 Aug;38(9):1795-801.  SanGiovanni JP, et al.  Arch Ophthalmol. 2007 Sep;125(9):1225-32 (Ed. Note: Consumption of large amounts of spinach may be associated with kidney stones due to its high levels of oxalic acid, and also is contradindicted in those taking blood thinners due to its vitamin K content. Standardized lutein supplements are safer and more cost efficient.  It is estimated the cost of consuming lutein-rich foods to obtain 10 mg/day is around $1.00/day) 2. High ORAC (antioxidant capacity) berries, especially bilberry, wild blueberry, strawberry,  grape seed extract and Resveratrol have been found to be potent inhibitors of angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth) by reducing VEGF expression as well as reducing oxidative damage to the macular pigment.  Roy, et al. Free Radic Res. 2002 Sep;36(9):1023-31  King RE et al. Chem Biol Interact. 2005 Jan 15;151(2):143-9. (Ed. Note:  This is the SAME mechanism of action of the new drugs Lucentis and Avastin, which suggests that they may help reduce the frequency of injections into the eye.) 3.  Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC's) found in Pycnogenol, red wine, grape seed and bilberry extracts have been shown to be of help in preventing macular degeneration and cataracts.  OPC's work by normalizing blood vessel permeability and reducing leakage, have anti-inflammatory properties and improve circulation by vasodilation.   Fursova AZh, et al. Adv Gerontol. 2005;16:76-9   Schonlau F, Rohdewald P.  Int Ophthalmol. 2001;24(3):161-71.   (Ed. Note:  OPC's have low grade anti-VEGF properties (similar to the drugs Avastin and Lucentis, which must be injected into the eyeball).  I believe they may help reduce the frequency of treatments of those drugs, but dosage may be critical.  In my opinion, this needs more studies before taking concentrated OPC's.) 4.  The ARMD population manifested decreased intake of  vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B6 and folic acid.  Patients with advanced ARMD taking antioxidants twice daily maintained vision in their better functioning eyes significantly better than those taking a placebo.  Richer, J Am Optom Assoc 1996 Jan;67(1):12-29  J Am Optom Assoc 1996 Jan;67(1):30-49 5.  Smokers with early macular degeneration who consumed the lowest amounts of carotenoids were nearly 6X as likely to develop advanced macular degeneration than those consuming the highest amounts. Seddon, et al. J. Amer Med Assoc; 1994. 6.  The minerals copper and zinc are required to synthesize superoxide dismutase and other enzymes in the retina which scavenge free radicals, preventing the oxidative damage which plays a role in the development of drusen and macular pigment disorders, early signs of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Olin, et al: Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1995 Apr;208(4):370-7   Am J Epidemiol 1998 Jul 15;148(2):204-14 7.  After 18 months, subjects with macular degeneration who took antioxidants on a consistent basis were 2.5X more likely to improve on visual acuity testing, and four times less likely to deteriorate in their worst eye, compared to those who took them less consistently.  Olson, et al. J. Cat Refr Surg, Mar 1991. 8.  Subnormal zinc and/or vitamin E serum levels may be associated with as much as an 82% increased risk of  advanced age-related macular degeneration.  Vitamin C and lipoic acid help to recycle vitamin E in the retinal tissues.  Ishihara, et al.  Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 1997  Mar;101(3):248-51. Delcourt C. et al. Arch Ophthalmol 1999 Oct;117(10):1384-90  Stoyanovsky DA, et al. Curr Eye Res 1995 Mar;14(3):181-9 9.  Those consuming fish more than once per week were only half as likely to develop macular degeneration than those consuming it less than once per month.  Those consuming the highest amount of cholesterol in their diet were 2.7 times more likely to develop advanced macular degeneration.  Smith, et al. Arch Ophthalmol 2000 Mar;118(3):401-4

COMMENT: The above studies show that diet and nutrition do show great promise for those at risk for age-related macular degeneration.  It is important to be proactive if you have a family history of macular degeneration, and not wait for damage to occur, because once the vision is gone, it's permanently gone.  While there have been reports of dramatic improvement as a result of reducing edema and leakage in the macula, this cannot be counted on in every case.  More studies are underway, but the studies already done suggest that their outcome is a foregone conclusion: that nutritional supplementation may be efficacious in slowing and even reversing macular degeneration in most patients.  It may help reduce the frequency for laser treatments and intraocular injections of the drugs Avastin or Lucentis. Please share this webpage with your friends, family and eye doctor.   The supplements in the above studies may be purchased at most local healthfood stores, but it can be overwhelming to decide between hundreds of products.  Beware of cheap, less potent products that are sold in box stores.  Many people cannot digest pills well enough to break them down, much less absorb the nutrients.  For optimum absorption we recommend a new form of nutrients which assures maximum bioavailability.  Isotonic-capable vitamins match the osmolarity of the body's fluids and tissues.  When mixed with water, they are taken on an empty stomach where they bypass the digestive processes, and promptly empty into the small intestine for much more efficient absorption. Statements on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA. Consult your physician before taking nutritional supplements, but be sure he is aware of the legitimate studies on this page.

The Formulas We Recommend for  Macular Degeneration Support Include the Following:  (These brands are not available in stores.  If you would prefer the convenience of getting them from your own doctor's office, please email us at eyedoc2020 @ bellsouth.net with his name and contact information) ISOTONIC VISION SUPPORT FORMULA:  A combination of nutrients designed for optimal eye health, including lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, beta carotene, vitamin E, zinc, chromium, copper, bilberry, taurine, quercetin, and eyebright in an ISOTONIC-capable form.  Recommended Serving: Consult with the doctor who referred you here. To Read More About This Product, Click Here and click on "Vision Health" tab ISOTONIC MAXIMUM ORAC FORMULA:  An isotonic-capable  antioxidant formula with over 3000 ORAC units per dose, including 650mg of extracts from blueberry, elderberry and cranberry, plus vitamin C, E, and selenium.  Recommended Serving:  1-3 capfuls mixed with 2-6 ounces of water on an empty stomach, usually 10 to 15 minutes before eating in the morning.   To Read More About This Product, Click Here and then on the "Antioxidants" tab HEART HEALTH Essential Omega III:  While not available in an isotonic form, this is the most potent Omega 3 formula on the market, with two capsules a day providing 900mg of EPA and 600mg of DHA, and is mercury-free.  Recommended Serving: 1-3 gel capsules daily with above, depending on your risk factors. To Read More About This Product, Click Here, and then on the "Heart Health" tab We recommend ordering an initial three month supply of the above products and requesting AutoShipments every 3 months to save on shipping and handling charges and assure you don't run out prematurely.