Iron and The Retina EDTA chelation therapy removes minerals other than calcium. Removal of excess iron is also desirable as it can promote oxidation, a destructive cellular process that increases with age. Iron overload causes cellular garbage deposits called lipofuscin to materialize within the RPE layer of the retina. The data on excessive iron overload suggests that patients with retinal disorders limit iron consumption from food supplements or avoid supplemental iron altogether. Vitamin C helps to increase iron absorption from foods.
Dietary iron is probably sufficient for the iron demands of most individuals.
The remaining two patients experienced pigmentary changes in the macula with blurred vision and night blindness. The harmful retinal side effects of Desferal were probably caused by the depletion of zinc, not iron. Most metal-chelating drugs bind to all minerals, not selectively to one mineral. Zinc deficiency, which can be caused by a poor diet, high fiber diets, malabsorption due to lack of digestive enzymes, excessive alcohol consumption or other factors , can result in night vision problems. RP And Copper Mineral abnormalities have been reported in retinitis pigmentosa, particularly copper and zinc.