IMPORTANT DISCUSSION:

In spite of the recent media publicity questioning the value of multivitamins, it is now well documented that NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION, along with adopting a healthy lifestyle, is the ONLY PROVEN WAY to slow the progression of blindness-causing eye disease.   Lucentis and Avastin injections and laser surgery is widely used to treat the wet form of macular degeneration, but they are only STOPGAP measures to temporarily halt the hemmorhaging/leaking of blood vessels.  They do NOTHING to prevent the leaking of other ocular blood vessels in the future!  You must shore up the blood vessels from within to effect a long term healing response.  Don't lose your eyesight because of the ignorance of your eye specialist!!  You MUST take some responsibility for your own health, starting today.

While not technically an "eye vitamin," Centrum Silver was included because it is the most popular multiple taken by adults in the U.S.  Although "with Lutein" is prominently displayed on the label, most researchers feel that 6 mg of lutein is the absolute minimum one should take to prevent macular degeneration, so at 1/4 milligram you'd have to take 24 Centrum Silvers each day to obtain that level (this would overdose you on vitamin A and zinc, among other nutrients, however).  Millions of us are getting a false sense of security, believing they are protecting their eyesight by taking Centrum Silver!   (We have to wonder what legal implications this will have for the makers of Centrum Silver in the future.)

Another important carotenoid, zeaxanthin, is included in all lutein supplements, even though it usually isn't listed separately.  Additionally, the retina is capable of converting lutein into zeaxanthin.  Bilberry has been shown to be of great importance in supporting capillary health, which is critical for both macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.  Let's face it, treating just the eye in diabetes is like putting the fire out in the garage of a burning house, but not addressing the fire in the rest of the house!

None of the products above contain Omega 3 fatty acids, which also are very important for macular health (as well as vascular health, cholesterol control, joint health, etc...).  We recommend Carlson's Super Omega 3 product if you do not consume cold water fish three times a week.  Also, reducing the consumption of trans fats (margarine, baked goods) and Nutrasweet (aspartame, in diet sodas and drinks) is highly recommended for optimum health.  High intake of Omega 6 and trans fats is related to increased risk for macular degeneration.

While at this time no curative claims may be made for nutritional supplementation until further studies are completed, we feel that the first two products above are the best we've found on the market, while the last two are included only because they are so popular due to many unaware eye doctors giving out free samples, advertising and widespread availability.  The nutrients generally considered most important for the eyes are listed at the top of this chart.

It's clear from the ingredients list and the studies at http://www.i-care.net/eyeresearch.html that the most popularly prescribed products (Ocuvite Extra and Centrum Silver) are woefully inadequate to offer much protection to the eyes.  In fact, what few nutrients many once-a-day vitamins include may not even get absorbed at all, due to the inability of many older citizens' digestive systems to break down the rock hard tablets into which they are compressed.  In fact, the government's own studies showed NO measurable health benefits in over one million people who took commonly advertised multiple vitamins regularly for several years!  (For many adults these pills enter the mouth and exit in the bowel movement intact!)  Certainly the WORST thing about this situation is the false sense of security provided to the people who most desperately need the supplements and who are trying to do what's best for their health.

The I-CARE Network believes the ingredient information above is correct, but we appreciate being notified if there are any formulation changes of the above products.

Ocupower and Maxivision do have advantages over other eye nutrition products which we've evaluated, such as OcuGuard, Ocular Nutrition and others.  At full strength they double as superior multiple vitamin/mineral supplements. OcuPower has both the amounts and forms of the nutrients found to be most efficacious in preventing cancer, heart disease and other degenerative health conditions, as outlined on the GENERAL HEALTH RESEARCH webpage.  (This is important, since what good is perfect eyesight if you suffer a stroke, Alzheimer's, heart attack or cancer and become too incapacitated to enjoy life to it's fullest?)

If cost is a factor, taking even half or a third of the recommended dose of any the first two products above is likely to provide significant benefit.  They are a bargain when you consider that it is estimated that it would cost a minimum of $10-20/month to consume enough vegetables just to obtain  the recommended 10 mg of just lutein daily.  Taking supplements is more economical, convenient and provides a more consistent dosage than diet.

(It's shocking to me that many folks will pay over $700 each month to own the average new car (according to government sources), yet balk at spending a tiny fraction of that amount to protect their vision so they can maintain their eyesight so they can continue to drive that car!  Once your vision is gone, it rarely returns, so timely intervention is critical!  Those who have gone blind from macular degeneration would gladly pay anything  to get their vision back, if they only could.)

If you have a serious eye disease, it is important that you be monitored regularly to determine if supplements are being helpful.  Don't be surprised if your present doctor doesn't believe in nutritional supplements, most doctors are still unaware of the research posted on this website!  Please note that all the doctors listed on our RECOMMENDED EYE DOCTORS webpage are free to prescribe whichever products they feel would best benefit their patients.  Some dispense supplements, some don't.  Ask them if they will carry Ocupower for you..  While we encourage you to support these doctors since they are at least aware of the research and have committed to us that they will keep abreast of new research that may benefit their patients, we obviously cannot endorse their work.  We hope our visitors will inform us of both positive and negative experiences with them, so we can remove any which are not worthy.

At this time, few healthfood stores carry Ocupower because of its potency and relatively high retail prices (it's much more profitable for them to sell the individual nutrients separately).  Maxivision has been available through a few select optometrists and ophthalmologists offices.  If you would like your local healthfood store or eye doctor to carry Ocupower or Maxivision, please have them call Dr. Schmidt at (800) 469-3022.