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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) effects approximately 13 million people in this country and is a primary cause of new blindness for Americans over the age of 65. There are two forms of macular degeneration with a vast majority being the so called "dry" form and the other 10% being the "wet" form. Risk factors for macular degeneration include advancing age along with genetic predispositions. Other potential risk factors include arteriosclerosis, hypertension and smoking. In the last decade or so, there is increasing research that oxidative factors and free radical damage may play an important role in the development of AMD. It has been postulated that treatment with high levels of antioxidants and other nutrients may slow down and possibly reverse some of the effects of macular degeneration. In a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology from 1988, zinc was found to have some beneficial effect in the treatment of macular degeneration. In a subsequent study published in Archives of Ophthalmology from 1994, the data suggested a protective effect for AMD with high levels of vitamin E along with an antioxidant index composed of ascorbic acid, vitamin E and beta carotene. Another study published by Seddon in JAMA (1994) indicated that certain carotenoids lowered the risk of AMD by 43%, those specific carotenoids being lutein and zeaxanthin. The most dramatic effect was noted with lutein. Those people taking approximately 6 mg of lutein per day had an amazing 57% lower risk for AMD when compared to those whose consumption was lower (approximately 0.5 mg per day). Bilberry extract has been utilized for many years in Europe for the treatment of various eye conditions, with some studies indicating that it may have beneficial effects for various types of retinopathy, including diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. Additional nutrients that have been studied and may have benefit for macular degeneration include rutin, flavanoids, taurine and magnesium. Oxidation seems to play a significant role in the development of cataracts. Several epidemiologic studies indicated that patients with the lowest levels of vitamins C, E and carotenoids in their blood were more likely to suffer cataract formation. In one study published in 1997, in a large group of nurses ages 56 to 71, those nurses with the highest intake of vitamin C had a 77% lower prevalence of early lens opacities and an 83% lower prevalence of moderate cataracts compared to women who did not use vitamin C supplementation. Several nutrients have been shown to be of value in glaucoma, including magnesium, alpha lipoic acid, vitamins C and B12. Selected Products The following are selected products available from vitacost.com. NSI OcuPower® Multi-Vitamin Ocupower® Multi-Vitamin, a propietary product from NSI, is currently in a clinical trial for patients with macular degeneration. Without question it is the best ocular nutraceutical product on the market. Purchase OcuPower now! Ocuguard Plus Maxilife Multi-carotene Alpha Lipoic Acid Lutein Standardized Bilberry Extract