Are There Certain Vitamins Or Supplements That May Decrease Risk Of Developing Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Aug. 24, 2009— -- Question: Are there certain vitamins or supplements that might decrease my risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?

Answer: We're not sure which vitamins and minerals really will prevent or reduce your chances of getting age-related macular degeneration. It's a disease that's caused in part by genetics -- although it's not a single gene that causes it -- and in part by lifestyle exposures. The lifestyle risks that are really important in macular degeneration are very similar to those for cardiovascular disease, so smoking is probably the biggest. And then, things that are good for you are probably things that are good at preventing heart disease. So we really recommend that people use a heart-healthy diet.