New Supplement May Prevent Age Related Macular Degeneration Associated Sight Loss


A supplement recently developed at Queen’s University Belfast has been heralded as a new weapon in preventing sight loss.

Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of blindness in westernised cultures. It occurs due to damage of the retina, the part of the eye responsible for detecting light. This eventually leads to central loss of vision, leaving patients with problems including recognising faces, reading and driving amongst others. Currently there is no known cure for the condition.

The new antioxidant supplement (antioxidants remove harmful compounds called free radicals that can damage parts of our body) has been tested over a 5 year period in co-ordinated by the Queen’s Centre of Vision and Vascular Science (CVVS). It was developed with Queen’s University in conjunction with leading eye care companies Dr Mann Pharma and Bausch and Lomb.

The study monitored 400 people in Ireland, who were taking a compound called CARMA (carotenoids and co-antioxidants in age related maculopathy) in conjunction with vitamins C, E and zinc. The results suggest that nutritional supplementation of carotenoids, commonly found in fruit and vegetables can help slow or even prevent the progression from early to late ARMD. It is suggested that the carotenoids help maintain some essential pigments within the eye that are required in vision.

In contrast, the concentration of these pigments was shown to steadily decline in the control group, who took no CARMA. Suggesting that a lack of carotenoids can lead to disease progression.

Even though further research into the topic is indicated, the results of this first randomised trial are crucial in establishing the role of carotenoids in helping prevent ARMD progression. It seems that CARMA could indeed be the treatment that everyone affected by ARMD have been hoping for.

5th November 2009

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