Macular Degeneration Supplements n Macu-Vision Plus vs Macutec Essentials
Products to Treat Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
As optometrists, we are asked by many of out clients what they can do to maintain their current vision health or if their are supplements that can improve their vision health.
Diets and supplements can be of great benefit for some eye health conditions and one of these is Macular Degeneration. There is clinical research that diet and supplements should be considered as part of the treatment plan.
What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of severe vision loss in Australia. It is an eye disease that primarily affects the macula, which is responsible for central vision.
In individuals with macular degeneration, the macula gradually degenerates, leading to a gradual loss of central vision.
What are the different types of Macular Degeneration?
There are two main types of macular degeneration: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration.
1. Dry Macular Degeneration: Dry macular degeneration is the most common form and accounts for approximately 90% of cases. It occurs when the cells in the macula gradually break down and the tissue thins over time.
2. Wet Macular Degeneration: Wet macular degeneration is less common but more severe. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the macula and leak fluid or blood, causing damage to the macula and leading to rapid vision loss.
What happens if we leave Macular Degeneration untreated?
Dry Macular Degeneration: This type progresses slowly and could cause severe vision loss if left untreated over time.
Wet Macular Degeneration: This type can cause rapid and permanent vision loss and requires immediate medical intervention to prevent further vision deterioration.
How do we treat Macular Degeneration?
Wet Macular Degeneration is usually treated with injections designed to repair the blood vessels that are leaking into the macula.
Dry Macular Degeneration is usually treated with antioxidant-based supplements.
Advancements in Macular Degeneration Management
The latest advancements in nutritional support for dry age-related macular degeneration are based on the successful results demonstrated by two studies, AREDS and AREDS2 studies.
AREDS2 supplements represent a significant advancement in the management and understanding of dry macular degeneration.
The Evolution to AREDS2 Supplements
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) was a follow-up to the original AREDS research.
The initial AREDS study found that a specific blend of vitamins and minerals (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper) could reduce the risk of dry macular degeneration progression.
AREDS2 aimed to refine this formula by evaluating the effects of adding lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids, while reducing beta-carotene, which was linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers, and lowering zinc levels due to concerns about its side effects.
Clinical Evidence Supporting AREDS2 Supplements
AREDS2 demonstrated that replacing beta-carotene with lutein and zeaxanthin was safer and equally effective for reducing dry macular degeneration progression risk.
Moreover, the study found that lower levels of Zinc were equally effective in delaying macular degeneration progression compared to the doses used in AREDS and that lutein and zeaxanthin might be more beneficial for individuals with low dietary intake of these carotenoids.
While the addition of omega-3 fatty acids did not yield the expected benefits, the modified AREDS2 formula provided a significant protective effect against dry macular degeneration progression.
What are the different supplements available in Australia and how are they different?
Two market leaders provide these supplements in Australia.
Macutec is Australian owned and made by Stiltec.Eyes by Design is a stockist and we sell instore or ship Australia wide
Blackmores Macu-Vision Plus is owned by Japanese Company Kirin Holdings.
Macutec vs. Macu-Vision: Which one should I use?
When comparing Macutec Essentials to Blackmores Macu-Vision and its enhanced version, Macu-Vision Plus, it’s essential to consider the formulation differences, recommendations by healthcare professionals, and their targeted benefits for eye health.
Macutec Essentials by Stiltec
Key Ingredients:
- Vitamin C (500mg)
- Vitamin E (400 IU)
- Zinc Oxide (25mg)
- Copper (2mg)
- Lutein (10mg)
- Zeaxanthin (2mg)
Recommended Use: One tablet daily with food.
Blackmores Macu-Vision
Key Ingredients:
- Vitamin C (250mg)
- Vitamin E (200 IU)
- Zinc Oxide (40mg)
- Copper (1mg)
Recommended Use: One tablet daily with food.
Blackmores Macu-Vision Plus
Key Ingredients:
Same as Macu-Vision (with the addition of Lutein and Zeaxanthin.)
- Vitamin C (250mg)
- Vitamin E (200 IU)
- Zinc Oxide (40mg)
- Copper (1mg)
- Lutein (5mg)
- Zeaxanthin (1mg)
Recommended Use: One tablet daily with food.
Formulation Overview
Based on these formulations, Macutec has the precise formulation used in the AREDS2 study and Bioglan’s Macuvision Plus has half the dosage of every ingredient of the study but with a higher dosage of Zinc than is required.
Given that the Zinc difference is not clinically significant, it is evident that Macuvision Plus only provides half the benefit that Macutec does when taking them to the manufacturer’s recommendations and will therefore be half as effective in delaying the progression of dry macular degeneration.
Blackmores Macuvision does not contain the improved AREDS2 ingredients and will provide less effective treatment than either of the other two treatments.
Supplement Comparison Conclusion
In summary, while both products aim to support eye health with high-quality ingredients, Macutec Essentials presents a more reliably effective product and is a more cost-effective option when taken in the correct dosages tailored for macular health.
After assessing these differences, we believe that Macutec is the best option available for our patients. For this reason and our preference for stocking Australian-made and manufactured products, we only stock the Macutec product in our practice at Eyes by Design.
Macutec can be purchased in-store or you can call us on (02)4369 8169 for more information.
Do you have a question about your eye health or vision?
Please give us a call or make an appointment and we can give you an indepth consultation with your questions answered.
Citation
The findings and conclusions presented here are grounded in the results of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2), as reported by the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of the AREDS2 supplement formulation in slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
For further details, please refer to the National Eye Institute’s publication on the AREDS2 study.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general eye health topics.
It should not be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your health care professional prior to incorporating this as part of your health regimen.
Dr Nicholas Altuneg
For over two decades, my greatest passion has been helping people of all ages live improved lives through better vision. At Eyes by Design, vision is so much more than being able to see clearly or read small letters from far away; it determines your perceptions and reactions every second of the day.
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