As in the controversy over zinc, there is no agreement that these anti-oxidants actually help macular degeneration. The first step to overall good health is a balanced diet. Vitamins and minerals are commonly given as supplements to the diet in amounts determined by recommended daily allowances. These supplementary dosages cause no apparent harm and are commonly available. But large doses of vitamins, called therapeutic doses, in amounts many times the daily recommended allowances, may not be completely safe.
Research is still in progress about nutrition and macular degeneration.
Eye disease can occur at any age. Many eye diseases do not cause symptoms until the disease has done damage. Since most blindness is preventable if diagnosed and treated early, regular medical examinations by an ophthalmologist are very important. Copyright 1998- 2000 Eye Surgical Medical Group of Santa Barbara, Inc.