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AMD and Nutritional Supplements

Provided by: The American Academy of Ophthalmology

AMD and Nutritional Supplements

People who have a certain form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may benefit from specific mix of vitamins and minerals. Taking these nutritional supplements might help slow this eye disease.

What is AMD?

AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in people 50 yrs or older. it damages a specific part of your eye called the macula. with AMD you lose the ability to see fine details, both close up and at a distance.

AMD can affect one or both eyes. Your AMD may be so mild that you hardly notice any problems or your AMD may be more severe. With more severe AMD you may notice that printed words and even straight lines look wavy or blurry. You may also notice what seems to be a dark or empty space in the center of your vision. Although AMD affects your central vision, it does not affect your peripheral vision nor does it cause total blindness.

About 9 out of 10 people have the dry form. this condition is due to a breakdown or thinning of the macula.

Dry AMD usually begins when tiny, yellow deposits called drusen form under the retina. Eventually the macula may become thinner and stop working properly.

Many people with AMD have drusen. these alone do not cause vision loss but when drusen grows in size or number, you are at risk for getting early or intermediate AMD.

People with intermediate AMD might start to notice a blurred spot in their central vision. Advanced AMD develops when cells i your maculabegin to break down. This is when the blurred spot in your central vision starts getting bigger and darker.

Studies found that certain nutritional supllements could help some people who have who have a lot of drusen . These supplements may also help people who have lost a lot of vision in at lease one eye from AMD. Taking any of the following supplements every day may help these people lower their risk of getting late stage or wet AMD.
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Zinc
- Copper
Its important to remember that nutritional supplements are not a cure for AMD but they may help to slow the disease in people with early to mid stage AMD. Talk with your ophthalmologist and PCP about the risks and benifits of taking supplements for AMD.
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KIMBERLY ANN LUCEY, MD

Board Certified Ophthalmologist

AMD and Nutritional Supplements

Contact:

KIMBERLY ANN LUCEY, MD

Board Certified Ophthalmologist

AMD and Nutritional Supplements

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