Nutritional, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies for Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65 particularly in those who are smokers, obese, White race, genetically predisposed and environmentally exposed. The root cause is thought to be photochemical damage causing oxidative stress to the macula coupled with low grade inflammation over many years which also contributes to the progression of the disease. The hallmark studies Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2 found a formulation consisting of 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 25 mg zinc, 2 mg copper, 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin effective for slowing the progression AMD. Subsequent studies suggest diet therapy, higher dosages of zeaxanthin and supplementing with vitamin D, vitamin B₁₂, and omega-3 fatty acids may further reduce the progression of the disease.