Supplements Show Promise In Slowing Vision Loss
A recent study reveals that daily supplementation can significantly decelerate the progression of late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Published in the journal Ophthalmology on July 16, the research indicates that the rate at which late-stage dry AMD advances into the critical region of the eye slowed by approximately 55% over a three-year period among patients taking a daily regimen of specific antioxidants and minerals.
This study builds on earlier findings that demonstrated the effectiveness of supplements in retarding the progression from intermediate to late-stage AMD. According to Dr. Tiarnan Keenan, the lead researcher and a staff clinician at the National Eye Institute, the recent analysis confirms that these supplements can also be beneficial for individuals with late-stage dry AMD.
The supplement regimen used in the study includes antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, as well as the minerals zinc and copper. These components are known to play a role in protecting retinal cells from oxidative stress, which is pivotal in slowing the advancement of AMD.
Dry AMD, the most prevalent form of macular degeneration, affects approximately 90% of individuals with the condition. It is characterized by the accumulation of yellowish deposits, called drusen, along the retina’s light-sensitive layer. This leads to a gradual loss of retinal cells, resulting in geographic atrophy and progressive central vision loss.
The study focused specifically on the fovea, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Many patients with dry AMD initially experience atrophy outside this critical area, only to lose central vision as the disease encroaches upon the fovea. The data from over 1,200 participants in two government-funded clinical trials showed that supplementation could delay the onset of AMD in the fovea, thereby preserving central vision for longer.
Dr. Keenan emphasized the importance of maintaining high-acuity central vision for daily activities such as reading and driving. Given the limited therapeutic options available for late-stage dry AMD, antioxidant supplementation presents a viable strategy to slow central vision deterioration. Future research will involve a follow-up clinical trial to validate these findings further.
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