In our office we recommend vitamins that contain the same formula from the
AREDS (Age Related Eye Disease Study). You can find several
over-the-counter brands, some you will need to take 4 caps a day,
Preservision by Ocuvite is a 2 a day formula. Viteyes (another 2 a day
formula) is OTC but you usually have to mail off for it - you can find them
on the web. The vitamins contain A,C, E, Zinc and Copper, sometimes Lutein.
If you smoke you want to get the smoker's formula (no vit A or
betacarotene - it has been linked to increased risk for lung cancer in
smokers). If you already take vitamins, consult with your doctor so you
don't get too much vit. E - there has been some controversy over it and
heart health (400 IU is considered generally safe). While Lutein wasn't
included in the original study, some of our patients swear by it.

Hope this helps.
EyeTech

"Chicklet" <ferrante276-chicklet[at]yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:rolar15j9a0tg15auqef7gtp90e4a6gk4e[at]4ax.com...
- quote -

"Don W" <dwilgus[at]prodigy.net> wrote:

- quote -

I'm kind of hoping so.

Last year, my retinal specialist (this guy. Highly regarded):

http://eyesite.ucsd.edu/faculty/freeman.htm

told me that I "had degeneration of the macula, but he would not call
it macular degeneration." Oooo-kay...

The Fellow interning with him mentioned that--to him--it looked like
familial drusen.
--
Live simply so that others may simply live

- quote -

And then the end result is different?

Don W

....and then there is congenital or familial drusen.

DrG

Chicklet wrote:
- quote -

Some eye care providers consider a few hard macular drusen as just
a precursor to mac degen while others classify it as early stage mac
degen. At the stage of a few isolated hard drusen, the condition will
not necessarily progress to soft drusen and macular degeneration
and can remain stable.

There are many good "eye vitamins"- I've always have recommended
Ocuvite
w. Lutein but there are many other comparable formulas available.

frank

Chicklet wrote:

- quote -

Sure. It just increases your chances.

- quote -

Assuming the important nutrients (copper, zinc, beta-carotene and maybe
lutein) are equal, I would go with 1. any well known and trusted
manufacturer, and 2. the freshest available.

(after you open the bottle, always take a sniff of it. if it stinks
more than *normal* take it back)

I am 48 and was told that I have drusen in my macula. I have two
questions:

1. Can one have drusen and never get macular degeneration?

2. What is considered the best vitamin formula, over the counter, for
good eye health?

Thanks,
Chicklet