Vitamin E for age-related macular degeneration

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WASHINGTON, Jan 23, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Supplementation containing

Vitamin E " provides an exciting preventive measure " for age-related macular

degeneration, a professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University has

concluded after taking part in a major ongoing research effort.

 

" There are no other proven options for early intervention, " Dr. Susan Bressler

says in the coming February edition of the Johns Hopkins medical letter, Health

After 50.

 

Vitamin E intake of 400 milligrams, together with Vitamin C, beta carotene, and

small amounts of zinc and copper oxides, reduces the likelihood of disease

progression by 25 percent in patients with intermediate age-related macular

degeneration, or AMD, the research has determined.

 

" Supplementation with this formulation also reduced the risk of vision loss by

19 percent over five years in these patients, " the Johns Hopkins publication

reported.

 

Until now, there has been no proven treatment to slow the progression of disease

and possible vision loss in people with dry AMD, the most common form of the

condition, Dr. Bressler said.

 

Major clinical trials of the Vitamin E and other supplementation started two

years ago, and a follow-up report was published recently in the Archives of

Ophthalmology. Researchers concluded in the report that " if every American with

intermediate AMD took these vitamins and minerals, more than 300,000 people

could avoid AMD-associated vision loss over the next five years. "

 

More than 1.6 million Americans over age 60 have age-related macular

degeneration, which is the most common cause of visual impairment and blindness

in the U.S.