Vitamins 'may stop eyesight loss'

A COCKTAIL of vitamins that includes certain antioxidants and zinc supplements could help prevent vision loss in old age, according to a study published in the US.

The study shows that taking vitamins C, E and beta carotine plus zinc and zinc oxide could help avoid 300,000 cases of age-related macular degeneration in the United States over the next five years - out of a total of 1.3 million new cases likely to occur during that time.

"If even half of the individuals at high risk for advanced AMD were identified and compliant with the recommended supplement, it is likely that more than 150,000 individuals would avoid vision loss for some time," researchers said.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness for people aged 65 and older.

According to the study, an estimated eight million people at least 55 years old in the United States are considered to be at high risk for advanced AMD and should consider taking supplements.

The study conducted by Neil Bressler of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland was published by the journal The Archives of Ophthalmology.

Agence France-Presse