Recent research in Europe and the United States has uncovered some results that are good news for seniors who are concerned about protecting their eyes by reducing their risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. In one study which involved over 4,500 high risk patients between the ages of 55 to 80 that was conducted by the National Eye Institute the researchers found that supplementing with several well-known anti-oxidants reduced the risk of developing advanced levels of macular degeneration. The supplements included the anti-oxidants beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the minerals zinc and copper which balanced the zinc.
In other research reported in the American Journal of Ophthamology, researchers reported that that patients suffering from macular degeneration were very low in their blood levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). These same patients were also at a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality. The researchers are currently continuing their research in order to determine the importance of restoring optimal hormonal balance in addition to providing nutrients that foster healthy eyes. A positive result would very likely lead to a path that would prevent and possibly even reverse the progress of macular degeneration.