ICaps AREDS Formula Ocuvite Preservision VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula Beta-carotene 28,640 IU 28,640 IU 25,000 IU Vitamin B6     20 mg Vitamin C 452 mg 452 mg 500 mg Vitamin E 400 IU 400 IU 400 IU Zinc 69.6 mg 69.6 mg 40 mg Cupric Oxide 1.6 mg 1.6 mg 1.0 mg Lutein     15 mg Bilberry     50 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid     20 mg Grape Seed Extract     20 mg L-glutathione     10 mg Selenium     200 mcg Zeaxanthin     4.75 mg

How Does Macular Degeneration Cause Visual Impairment? Age-related macular degeneration compromises senior eye health by causing retinal atrophy symptoms . When this occurs, it is known as dry macular degeneration or atrophic macular degeneration. Dry Age-related macular degeneration symptoms include the formation of drusen and atrophy of retinal pigment. In approximately 10% of patients, dry macular degeneration progresses to wet macular degeneration. This is also known as exudative macular degeneration. New blood vessels, called sub-retinal neovascular membranes, abnormally leak blood and protein. causing swelling and destruction of the retina. If the bleeding is located in the center of the retina, this can cause severe and sudden vision loss. Do Vitamin Supplements for Macular Degeneration Work? The National Eye Institute, part of the United States National Institutes of Health, published the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) in 2001. This study of macular support vitamins demonstrated that high dose nutritional supplements for macular degeneration slowed the progression of this disease. However, while this study proved, for the first time, that visual impairments could be reduced when vision was stabilized, it failed to show visual improvement. Additionally, 6% of patients experienced either urinary tract side or gastrointestinal side effects from the high Zinc levels. Subsequently, other studies have been performed. The Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial (LAST) showed that when the antioxidants used the the Age Related Eye Disease Study were combined with 10 mg or more of Lutein, that vision improved in a significant number of patients. Although Lutein can be derived synthetically, most high quality vitamin supplements derive Zeaxanthin naturally from Marigold flowers. Additional studies have examined another carotenoid in addition to beta-carotene and Lutein. The carotenoid is Zeaxanthin, and has the distinction of being the carotenoid in the highest concentration in healthy retinas and normal maculas. High Dose Vitamins and Minerals to Benefit Eye Health VisiVite i-Defense Gold  Formula uses each of the five ingredients in the Age Related Eye Disease Study, but makes the following important therapeutic improvements: Zinc is reduced from 80 mg to 40 mg daily, to reduce the urinary tract and gastrointestinal side effects experienced by 6% of the patients in the study. As a result, VisiVite i-Defense Yellow Formula has less than a 0.1% incidence of side effects that result in having to discontinue the supplement.   15 mg of FloraGLO brand Lutein, derived naturally from Marigold Flowers, is added, based upon the results of the Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial which showed vision improvement in people that had macular degeneration. This is the highest quality Lutein available in any macular degeneration nutritional formula.   4.75 mg of OPTISHARP brand Zeaxanthin, the "super carotenoid," is added, resulting in improvement in retinal pigmentation, powerful protection against further damage from ultraviolet light, and finally, for its powerful antioxidant properties.   Additional antioxidants that prevent further oxidative stress and damage to the retina are added, including Bilberry, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Selenium, Grape Seed Extract and L-glutathione.   Unlike other popular manufactures that use the less expensive synthetic dl-Alpha Vitamin E that has only 50% bioavailability, VisiVite formulas use naturally derived d-Alpha Vitamin E with 100% bioavailability. Take one capsule twice daily. Capsules may be opened into food or drink for patients that have difficulty swallowing. UPC # 899205000300 Patients who have a smoking history should use other i-Defense Formulas. Click here for additional information.