"This is the first successful treatment, though how it works, we don't really know," said Dr. Emily Chew, director of the epidemiology and clinical research at the National Eye Institute, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, which conducted the large-scale study.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study, the largest of its kind with more than 3,600 participants aged 55 to 80, examined the impact of vitamin supplements on macular degeneration and on cataracts. The research was published in the October 2001 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Study participants who took supplements containing more than the daily requirements of vitamins C, E, beta carotene and zinc had a 28 percent lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration compared with those taking a placebo for those at an intermediate stage of the condition.

The findings suggest that if all of the 6 million Americans with intermediate macular degeneration took these supplements "over the next five years about a quarter of a million people who would have developed vision loss wouldn't" said primary researcher Dr. Frederick Ferris.

The separate study on cataracts found no deterrent effect from taking vitamin or zinc supplements.

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people 65 and older.
Nearly 2 million Americans suffer from age related macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness, and 6 million more are considered at high risk.

ARE ANTI-OXIDANTS THE KEY?

Anti-oxidants used in the trials are believed to counteract the altered molecules called "free radicals" that are sometimes blamed for some cancers, cardiovascular disease, aging and the body's overall deterioration. Zinc augments certain body chemical reactions.

The dosages found most effective against the condition were:

500 milligrams of vitamin C
400 international units of vitamin E
15 milligrams of beta carotene,
80 milligrams of zinc and zinc oxide
2 milligrams of cupric oxide, a form of copper that complements the zinc

The researchers found no significant side effects with these dosages.

Participants who took either antioxidants or zinc alone also had benefits, but to a lesser degree than the combination of the two.
Beta carotene should not be taken by smokers because of the associated risk of lung cancer, the researchers said.
High doses of Zinc can cause anemia that is why participants took 2 mg of copper to counteract the anemia.

"Macular degeneration is caused by a breakdown of the insulating layer between the retina and a layer of blood vessels behind it called the choroid, the study said. Fluid leakage and new blood vessels that form as a result create scar tissue that destroys the delicate retinal nerve tissue.
"To be able to say for the first time that this specific formulation of vitamins and minerals can help preserve eye health and vision is good news for the public," said Stephen Bartels, director of research at Bausch & Lomb.

This vitamin mineral combination may be the first effective treatment for people with intermediate stages of macular degeneration.

For further information of why this combination may be effective see the "7 secrets of anti-aging" book (chapter 5) on Vitamins, minerals, herbs and anti-oxidants.