Macular Degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults. Over 7 million people suffer from macular degeneration and close to a million have an advanced form of the disease.
Macular Degeneration affects the macula, which helps to guide your central vision, allowing people to see fine details. People suffering from Macular Degeneration might see peripheral vision but will find it hard to see directly in front of them clearly.
Researchers in a recent study looked to see whether anti-oxidants such as Vitamin E and Vitamin C had any effect on Macular Degeneration. Researchers gave one set of patients 400 international units of Vitamin E and another set of patients received a placebo. Researchers then did the same thing with Vitamin C, where one group was given 500 mg of Vitamin C and the other group received a placebo.
Unfortunately, the study showed that neither vitamin had any protective effect against the vision disorder. This study indicates to us that we have no reason to recommend these vitamins to patients suffering from this condition.