Macular Degeneration

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Avoid rancid foods and all other sources of free radicals
Eat lots of blueberries, blackberries, and cherries for their anthocyanidin content
Eat lots of legumes (beans) and yellow vegetables for their carotenoid content
Drink a modest amount of red wine or red grape juice regularly (for their anthocyanadins)
Eat more fish and less saturated fat (e.g., red meat)

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Vitamin C: 1 gm. TID
Vitamin E: 800 I.U.
Beta-Carotene: 200,000 I.U.
Zinc: 30 - 45 mg.
Selenium: 400 mcg.

Supplements: (references)

L-Glutathione: 500 mg. BID away from food
Taurine: 1.5 gm. BID
Anthocyanadin : 80 -160 mg. (standard extract from Bilberry)

Botanicals: (references)

Ginkgo biloba: 40 mg. (24% ginkgo heterosides)

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

General blindness:
Acon., Bell., Hyos., Merc., Nat-M., Puls., Stram., Sulph.
Amblyopia:
Amme., Chin., Dros., Gels., Merc., Nat-M., Op.., Phos., Ph-Ac., Ruta., Stram.

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

Macular degeneration IV therapy
Stop smoking
Avoid excessive ultraviolet radiation (strong sunlight)

Recommended Labs:

Check for macular degeneration: Visual Acuity, Ophthalmic Exam, Photograph of Retina
Rule out cataract: Visual Acuity, Pupil Dilation, Tonometry
Rule out corneal dystrophies: Ophthalmic Exam, Visual Acuity, Pupil Dilation
Rule out diabetic lens: Visual Acuity, Eye Exam, Urinalysis, Fasting Glucose, Fructosamine, Hemoglobin A1c
Rule out glaucoma: Visual Acuity, Pupil Dilation, Tonometry, Air Puff, Glaucoma, Gonioscopy, Endocyanine Green Eye Dye
Rule out macular hole: Visual Acuity, Ophthalmic Exam, Pupil Dilation
Rule out ocular histoplasmosis syndrome: Eye Exam for Histo Spots, Amsler Grid, Pupil Dilation, Fluorescein Angiography

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.