Decreased Night Vision

Doctor Endorsements

This combination of nutrients, found in supplements like Ocuvite and VisiVite, is now widely recommended for people with moderate or severe macular degeneration. Current or former smokers may be better off with VisiVite's Smoker's Formula, which leaves out the beta-carotene (beta-carotene supplements my increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers).

Marvin Moe Bell, M.D., M.P.H.

Physician and Author

We see approximately 120 patients per week with about 15% having or being at risk for macular degeneration. Using the AREDS as our reference we became aware of the importance of nutritional supplements in the prevention of the progression of macular degeneration. This along with various other studies on the importance of vitamins for general eye health prompted us to look for a supplement that fit the needs of our patients. Visivite showed itself to be the only company who took pains to offer the ratio of different vitamins initially determined by AREDS.

Dr. Kendal Piatt, O.D.

Optometrist

At "Island Retina" our mission statement is to provide outstanding retinal care in a warm and supportive environment. I have been practicing for more than 20 years. We love taking care of patients with retinal disease including diabetes, macular degeneration and retinal detachments. Our practice is unique in that we have a surgery center,we are involved in several national research projects as well as our own research, and we have a satelite office in Commack, NY. I do a great deal of lecturing throughout the country as part of my committment to education. We have been recommending Visivite for several years. AREDS formulation vitamins are the mainstay in the treatment of dry AMD which affects about 1.7 million Americans. We find that the VisiVite vitamins fit the needs of our patients. We can recommend different formulations based on the patients' history. The quality is unsurpassed, they are well tolerated which increases patient compliance.

Pamela Weber, M.D.

Ophthalmologist

I've been in practice for 36 years. We see many patients with Macular Degeneration and dry eyes. As a general Ophthalmologist, I see patients with varying Eye problems including cataracts and glaucoma. Based on the AREDS study, a vitamin like Visivite is the only treatment for Macular Degeneration available today.

Martin L Weinhoff, MD

Ophthalmologist

We recommend that all of our patients take the VisiVite AREDS 2 formula vitamins, due to the evidence based nature of the formula (doses are based on the NIH study of macular degeneration).

Marc Lay, OD

Optometrist

East Florida Eye Institute specializes in the treatment of Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, and Dry Eye Disease. We recommend the use of VisiVite for all of our Macular Degeneration patients.

Ronald E. P. Frenkel, M.D.

Ophthalmologist

Home > Eye Vitamin Advice > Decreased Night Vision

Several natural nutritional compounds have been shown to accelerate dark adaptation and optimize healthy night vision:

Vitamin A: Vitamin A (including its carrot-sourced carotenoid form beta carotene) is likely the most well-known nutrient for promoting night vision. Night blindness is an early warning sign of vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is also important because it is an essential component of rhodopsin, the photopigment that enables night vision in rod cells.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: These carotenoid compounds promote sharper vision at night, optimize contrast acuity in dim light and improve vision in low-light conditions. As protective antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin also defend photoreceptors. One study found that lutein blocked 40% of damaging UV light frequencies from reaching night-vision rod cells.

Cyanidin-3-glucoside (CG3): A natural flavonoid found in berries, CG3 has been found to accelerate rhodopsin turnover -- promoting faster dark adaptation while optimizing overall night vision.

Bilberry: Supplying anthocyanin antioxidants, bilberry was consumed by British fighter pilots during WWII to improve night vision and enhance dark adaptation. Bilberry's antioxidants also protect the retina's photoreceptors, helping to maintain healthy rod cells.

Black Currant Anthocyanoside (BCA): Research has suggested that BCA concentrate appears to promote a significant improvement in dark adaptation along with accelerated recovery of peak visual acuity.