| There are many herbal, nutritional, alternative and | | | | were Carotenoids such as Lutein which helps filter |
| vitamin supplements that have been suggested to | | | | blue light out of the macular. Zeaxanthin also helps |
| improve eye sight, and prevent ocular disease. | | | | filter out the high energy blue light from the |
| While some have positive effects on the visual | | | | central retina. Beta Carotene is important in the |
| system, there are others that can become toxic | | | | production of rods and tear formation, while |
| and have a destructive influence on the eyes. It is | | | | Amino Acids like Glutathione protect against |
| generally believed that a well balanced "American" | | | | toxicity. Another supplement is the herb Gingko |
| diet does not require supplements, and their true | | | | Biloba which increase blood flow to the retinal |
| value is negligible. While many have some benefit, | | | | tissue in proper amounts. |
| care must be taken since supplements can | | | | With regard to cataracts, Lycopene commonly |
| interact negatively with other medications and | | | | found in tomatoes, and tomato products, reduces |
| even foods that are ingested. For example, milk | | | | the transformation of the Alpha protein to the |
| negates the positive antioxidant affects of tea, | | | | Beta protein resulting in cataract formation. |
| and citrus increases the pharmaceutical benefit of | | | | Neurologically, B complex vitamins like B6, B 12, |
| cholesterol lowering medications. | | | | Niacin and folic acid are extremely beneficial. With |
| Studies recently performed have concluded that | | | | regard to Dry Eye Syndrome, Omega III fatty |
| most of the evidence points to a stronger | | | | acids have been shown to increase tear |
| prophylactic effect of these supplements rather | | | | production after approximately 2-3 months of |
| then a therapeutic one. Specifically, with regard to | | | | intake. Also, Potassium ( K) found in bananas, |
| Age Related Macular Degeneration, Vitamin E, and | | | | improves tear film osmolarity, resulting in a more |
| antioxidants appear to be significant factors that | | | | stable tear film. |
| effect the onset and severity of the condition. | | | | In spite of their positive effects, nutritional |
| Some observational studies have concluded that | | | | supplements can be detrimental, there can be |
| higher ingestion of antioxidants result in lower | | | | adverse reactions to these super supplements. St |
| incidents of AMD. Additionally, the intake of Zinc | | | | John's Wart often used to combat depression can |
| has long been thought of, and has now been | | | | cause photo toxicity and toxic affects in the |
| proven to reduce the likelihood of pigmentary | | | | retina. It can also result in cataract formation if |
| anomalies often associated with Drusen, a risk | | | | taken for about 5 years. Ginkgo Biloba which is |
| factor for AMD. Those who took Vitamin E in the | | | | used to increase blood flow, can also cause vein |
| Beaver Dam study had a 13% lower risk of | | | | inflammation. This can be a big problem with those |
| displaying AMD. It appears in most studies that | | | | taking Viagra or who have vascular disease. Garlic, |
| the nutritional benefit is in prevention of vision loss | | | | a favorite of the Transylvania crowd reduces |
| in those who had a moderate to sever risk of | | | | blood pressure and keeps strange people and |
| AMD. It further appeared that the antioxidant had | | | | vampires away, but at the expense of blocking |
| the greatest affect in this prophylaxis, or | | | | platelet activity. This may result in excessive |
| prevention, and that Zinc worked only in | | | | bleeding, and spontaneous hemorrhaging. |
| combination with the antioxidant, but not so much | | | | In short, supplements do have a place in |
| by itself. | | | | maintaining proper health, and disease prevention, |
| The Age Related Eye Disease Study ( AREDS) | | | | but caution must be exercised. It would be wise |
| found that the best combination to prevent vision | | | | to discuss any supplements you take with your |
| loss was with the combination of Vitamins C,E, | | | | doctor, so that undesirable interactions can be |
| Beta Carotene, Zinc and a small amount of | | | | avoided. Nutritional supplements can certainly help, |
| Copper. It should be noted that while these | | | | but they are no substitute for proper, balanced |
| supplements did help prevent the visual loss, it | | | | eating, getting 6-8 hours of sleep, regular |
| also increased the risk of lung cancer in smokers | | | | exercise, and stress reduction. They should be |
| that were predisposed to that disease. | | | | considered as an adjunct, rather than a |
| Other supplements that were found to be helpful | | | | replacement therapy for healthy living. |