Macular Degeneration: Understanding Causes, Types & Treatment Options

According to the National Eye Institute, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease associated with aging that gradually destroys central vision. The affliction affects the macula, which allows a person to see in sharp detail.

Types

• There are two types of macular degeneration, including wet and dry. Each is brought on by different causes.

Significance

• In October 2001, the National Eye Institute (NEI) released the results of its Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), which concluded that antioxidant vitamins and zinc "significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration and its associated vision loss."

Identification

• In its press release, the NEI asserted that high doses of vitamin C and E, as well as beta-carotene and zinc, can reduce the risk of vision loss due to macular degeneration by 25 percent.

Other Nutrients

• According to the Natural Health Research Institute, lutein and zeaxanthin have also been shown to decrease the risk of AMD by up to 35 percent.

Considerations

• Ultimately, it is a combination of vitamins and nutrients that can reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration later in life. An AREDS formula is now available in pharmacies and other retail outlets.