Eye Nutrients for Eye Health

The October 2014 edition of AOA Focus, a publication of the American Optometric Association has an article discussing the importance of adding certain nutrients to your diet to delay the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They cite the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2.  Both studies were sponsored by the National Eye Institues and demonstrate the eye health benefits of several essential nutrients.

Zinc (red meat, milk)  AREDS2 showed that 80mg/day of zinc slowed the progression of AMD by 25%

Lutein & Zeazanthin (kale, spinach, collards, corn,green peas, broccoli, green beans, eggs).  AOA recommends 10mg/day lutein & 2mg/day zeaxanthin.  Shown to reduce the risk of developing advanced AMD by 26%.

Vitamin C (citrus fruit)  500mg/day along with other antioxidants.  AREDS showed could slow progression of AMD by 25%.  Also, women taking daily Vitamin C for 10 years or more showed a 64% reduction in the risk of nuclear cataracts.

Vitamin E  (nuts, sweet potatoes)  AREDS showed that 400 IU/day along with other nutrients slows the progression of AMD by 25%.

My advice, along with the AOA, is to take daily supplements including these nutrients in these amounts.  I advise my low vision patients to use a multivitamin supplement which includes all of these nutrients as well as others shown to be helpful by other studies. It is especially important to do this if you are showing signs of early macular degeneration or are at risk of developing it.  Persons with a parent or sibling with AMD have a 50% chance of getting it themselves.  Additionally, those who smoke are at greater risk of developing AMD.  Stopping smoking reduces the risk.