A regular eye check is the only way to detect the earliest signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), known as drusen, which may be present without any apparent effect on vision. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the UK.  There is no cure for this degenerative disease which results in central vision loss, leaving the sufferer unable to see what they are looking directly at.  A recent, large clinical trial in the US has provided clear evidence that nutritional supplementation with specific macular carotenoids, vitamins and minerals can slow the progression of early AMD by up to 26%.  The most common eye complaint to the pharmacist is glare discomfort.  Glare discomfort results from exposure to ‘blue’ light.  The eye defends itself from blue light using a yellow pigment, known as macular pigment, which filters our this particular portion of light. 

However, the yellow macular pigment is composed of dietary-derived nutrients – lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin, which must be attained from a diet rich in green leafy vegetables.  Therefore, many glare sufferers may simply be deficient in these important pigments and would benefit from increasing intake of green vegetables and/or supplementation. Recently, it has been established that direct supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin rapidly enriches macular pigment and improves vision under glare conditions. Expert comment from Dr Mark Kirby, MacuVision’s® Scientific Advisor.

Sharmaine Cheema, age 27 I work in the office and spend most of my day in front of the screen. I was suffering from irritated and dry eyes, blurred vision and even headaches. Macushield has definitely helped me to reduce this discomfort and improve the condition of my eyes. Now I can see clearly without them watering and don’t have to worry about my vision.

Alice Swierczek, age 56 Macushield has definitely helped to improve the blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) in my eyes.  They were very sore, red and watering, with blurred vision and very uncomfortable.  My optometrist gave me a sample of Macushield suggesting that this would really improve the condition of my eyes.  I found that it really helped – my eyes are now less dry, much less sore and red and I can see clearly without them watering.

I have a course to try so I’ll let you know any results

Penny Parents News Editor

 Lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are commercially available as MacuShield™ www.macushield.co.uk More info www.macularsociety.org