ProductsThere are many supplements and products to help you detect and prevent eye diseases or slow their progression. Low vision products help people suffering vision impairment to lead more independent lives.Nutritional Supplements Ocular nutrition products can be divided into those created specifically to deal with macular degeneration and general formulations. Macular Degeneration Formulas Some of these products are based on results from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). The most effective antioxidants and their doses are: • Beta-carotene, 15 mg daily • Vitamin C, 500 mg daily • Vitamin E, 400 IU daily • Zinc, as zinc oxide, 80 mg daily • Copper, as cupric oxide, 2 mg daily (Copper was added to supplement the copper bound up by the zinc supplements.) You’ll notice that lutein and zeaxanthin are missing from this list. When the study ran, these carotenoids were not available in supplement form, so they could not be tested. The Results Quoting from the National Eye Institute web site: “High levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by about 25 percent. These same nutrients also reduce the risk of vision loss caused by advanced AMD by about 19 percent. They have no significant effect on the development or progression of cataract....The nutrients are not a cure for AMD, nor will they restore vision already lost from the disease. However, they may play a key role in helping people at high risk for developing advanced AMD keep their vision.” ICaps® ICaps® AREDS' Formula was developed to help people who already have macular degeneration, based on research findings from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). ICaps® Lutein and Zeaxanthin Formula has added lutein and zeaxanthin to help protect your eyes from blue light radiation. Bausch & Lomb Ocuvite® Products Bausch & Lomb's Ocuvite® PreserVision™ was the original product tested in the AREDS study to determine the key antioxidants that are best for slowing progression of macular degeneration. Other Ocuvite® products include: • Ocuvite® Lutein with 6 mg of lutein added to the formula. • Ocuvite® Nutrition with 2 mg of lutein added to the formula. • Ocuvite® Extra with 10 mg of lutein, plus extra vitamins as well. VisiVite® Products Vitamin Science Inc.'s VisiVite® products have also been designed for people suffering from macular degeneration. There are four VisiVite® products: • VisiVite® Original Formula, with the original AREDS' study vitamins and minerals • VisiVite® Smoker's Formula, with no beta-carotene (based on recent findings that beta-carotene may promote lung cancer in smokers and recent ex-smokers • VisiVite® Plus + Formula, the original formula plus bilberry, lutein and selenium • VisiVite® Smoker's + Formula, the same as the Smoker's Formula but with bilberry, lutein, selenium and Vitamin B6 VSI also makes Zeavision® in 3 mg and 10 mg capsules. Zeavision is a zeaxanthin supplement. OcuPower® Nutraceutical Sciences Institute's OcuPower® was tested in the Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial conducted by the Veteran's Administration in the U.S. It was found to be very successful for treatment of macular degeneration. It has added lutein and zeaxanthin. It is also a multivitamin, so you don't need to take another supplement to get your B and D vitamins and the other minerals you need for good health. OcuPower® products are sold exclusively at VitaCost.com. You can also purchase OcuPower® 3 Paks and OcuPower® 6 Paks to save you money. General Eyecare Formulations General eyecare supplements are ones created to boost your overall eye health. At drugstore.com you'll find an extensive listing of eye nutrition products. Many have been developed to improve your overall eye health. Many include substances such as bilberry, which can help with night vision and blood flow in the eye. Although these are not specifically for “age-related” eye diseases, they will help protect your eyesight from future problems. Testing for Glaucoma The Proview® Eye Pressure Monitor Kit by Bausch & Lomb may help you detect the early signs of glaucoma. Be sure to speak to your eye doctor about whether this monitor is right for you. |