Carey, Vitamins are saving the world, one pair of eyes at a time

This article is about vitamins for the eyes that can be taken to combat macular degeneration, a disease that breaks down the light-sensitive rods and cones in the center of the retina. The disease can blur one’s vision, causing difficulty with reading or driving. Vitamins called PreserVision made by the eye-care company Bausch & Lomb combine zinc with antioxidants to provide the body with vitamin E and beta carotene, which help with one’s overall ocular health. A study conducted by the National Eye Institute in 2001 found that more than 3,600 people with mild to moderate cases of macular degeneration who took these vitamins experienced slowed vision loss by about 25%. The vitamins work to keep waste products away from the retina in order to keep the rods and cones functioning properly. It is also recommended that patients in their 40s and older who want to prevent severe vision loss can also take the vitamin supplements, but there is no guarantee that this particular treatment will work.

• Macular – an opaque spot on the cornea
• Macular degeneration – degeneration of the central portion of the retina, resulting in a loss of sharp vision

I originally chose this article because as someone with very poor vision who can barely see clearly beyond her arm when she isn’t wearing her contacts, the headline caught my eye. After reading the article, my initial reaction was: “If there is a chance that taking the vitamins as a preventative action will work and there are no harmful side effects, isn’t it worth it?” The article also stated that the 2001 study concluded that the benefits of the vitamins were enough to make supplements worth considering, but not enough to make them a “can’t-miss” part of treatment. It seems to me that even if this is taken into consideration, taking the supplements is still worth it.

Woolston, Chris. "For Aging Eyes, Vitamins." LA Times 14 May 2007: F1 & F11.