Frequently Asked Questions about AREDS and AMD

Are the doses in VisiVite too high?
Prior to the ground-breaking AREDS study published by the National Eye Institute in 2001, no other study showed benefit to treating macular degeneration with nutritional supplements.

In the more than 600 studies prior to AREDS, the dosages were not high enough to have any benefit against retinal degeneration. In order to have any effect against the disease, the dosages had to be much higher than initially presumed. What made AREDS ground-breaking was that they used dosages far higher than previously recommended and as a result, it was the FIRST study to show benefit to taking vitamins for eye health.

The National Eye Institute has the most respected ocular scientists in the world. The AREDS research has been universally accepted by physicians worldwide as providing the strongest evidence for proving both effectiveness and safety.

Should you have questions regarding the validity of the groundbreaking AREDS research, or have other questions about side effects of the AREDS formula, we recommend that you contact the National Eye Institute directly at 1-301-496-5248 or visit their web site at http://www.nei.nih.gov/amd/.

How does VisiVite work?
Macular Degeneration treatment was evaluated in the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a major study sponsored by the National Eye Institute, one of the Federal government’s National Institutes of Health, and conducted at 11 major medical center research facilities around the country. In that study, ingredients were found to slow the progression of macular degeneration in those patients with intermediate or advanced disease. It is believed that the anti-oxidants and Zinc promote the continued health of the retina and tissues surrounding the retina. VisiVite Original AREDS formula uses the same ingredients in the same amounts as used in AREDS.

What other research exists?
Since the ground-breaking Age Related Eye Disease Study, newer research points to the benefit of high-dose Lutein when taken concomitantly with the large quantities of anti-oxidants from the AREDS study in patients with macular degeneration. The Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial (LAST) was the first study to show visual improvement in patients with dry macular degeneration. And cutting-edge research has now demonstrated that a compound called Zeaxanthin may be just as important as Lutein. All VisiVite i-Defense Formulas contain FloraGLO brand Lutein, the most highly desired natural form of Lutein available. VisiVite i-Defense Gold, Green, E-Free and Premier No. 2 Formulas also contain OPTISHARP brand Zeaxanthin.

How are VisiVite formulas different from other vitamins?
Patients often confuse taking low-dose multiple vitamins, such as Centrum Silver or One-A-Day, as being beneficial in supporting their macular health.

However, the levels of supplement are much higher in VisiVite Formulas than in other vitamin supplements. Additionally, AREDS eye vitamins contain only those substances that were scientifically proven to promote retinal health.

Can I take other vitamins with VisiVite?
If you are taking individual supplements of Vitamins A, C, or E, it is recommended that you obtain the necessary quantities of those vitamins from the VisiVite alone. If, however, you take a multi-vitamin, such as Centrum, you can continue to take that. In fact, approximately half of the patients in the AREDS study continued to take their multi-vitamins. Importantly, there was no difference in outcome between those patients taking high dose supplements alone compared with those taking high dose supplements combined with their normal multi-vitamin.

Will VisiVite interfere with my other medications?
While it is unlikely that the ingredients found in VisiVite will interfere with your other prescription medications, you should notify your primary physician before taking large-dose supplements.

Why are there multiple VisiVite formulas?
VisiVite Original Formula duplicates the ingredients in the National Eye Institute's Age Related Eye Disease Study. But Lutein was not available at the time of that study, and is found in VisiVite i-Defense Yellow, Red, Gold, Green, E-Free and Premier No. 2 and VisiVite Balanced Formulas. Beta-carotene was shown in two large studies to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Therefore, VisiVite i-Defense Red, Green, E-Free, VisiVite Balanced and Premier No. 2 Formulas contain no Beta-carotene for people who have habitually smoked within the past 20 years. Finally, VisiVite Gold, Green, E-Free, Premier No. 2 and Balanced Formulas contain additional Zeaxanthin.

How should VisiVite be taken?
Most VisiVite Formulas are taken as one capsule twice daily. VisiVite Premier Ocular Formula No. 2 is taken as four softgels daily in divided doses. It is important to continue to take VisiVite continuously. The AREDS study required a follow-up of 6 years to demonstrate clinical efficacy.

What is the policy of the FDA with respect to VisiVite?
VisiVite Formulas are considered vitamin supplements, and not drugs, and therefore cannot claim clinical effectiveness in treating a particular disease.

Doesn't Vitamin E cause bleeding in the retina?
Wet macular degeneration is not caused by blood vessels leaking. Rather, it is caused by formation of abnormal, fragile blood vessels due to oxidative damage. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and works against the formation of these “neovascular” vessels. The only reason to avoid Vitamin E is if you are already on another blood thinner, such as Coumadin. If you are, we offer VisiVite i-Defense E-Free Formula.

Furthermore, the reason that such high quantities of vitamins are being used is that in over 600 studies prior to AREDS, vitamins in lesser doses had no beneficial effect against macular degeneration. So, it turns out that the high doses were ESSENTIAL to the success against AMD. The National Eye Institute proved that ONLY vitamins in this high range had ANY benefit against the progression of macular degeneration. They studied thousands of patients and found NO side effects when compared with placebo.

Two hundred National Eye Institute scientists studied every detail in nearly 4000 patients over a 5 year period. For common questions and answers regarding the benefits and side effects of macular degeneration vitamins, we refer you to the National Eye Institute’s web site below:

http://www.nei.nih.gov/amd/faqs.asp#1

Is there an ingredient in the VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula that would make my skin turn yellow? I have noticed this just recently and have concerns about it.
What you are noticing is a NORMAL response to the three plant-based carotenoid pigments found in VisiVite Formulas, including:

• beta-carotene
• lutein
• zeaxanthin
• astaxanthin

You would note the same effect if you ate a bowl full of carrots, a half dozen dark green leafy salads and a box of Marigold flowers each day!

• Are protective against UV light for both the eyes AND the skin
• Act as powerful antioxidants against and can repair oxidative damage in injured cells
• Improve the function of the retinal and pigment epithelial layers in the retina
• Lutein and Zeaxanthin have been added to the latest National Eye Institute's AREDS 2 Formula because of overwhelming evidence of their effectiveness

• Macular Degeneration Vitamins
• National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health
• Vitamin Science, Inc