One of the fastest-growing vision-threatening eye conditions is Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The main reason is improvements in healthcare, which have led to longer life expectancies. At Natural Eye Care, we believe that the visual system uses approximately 25% of the nutrients taken into the body. Many factors associated with aging reduce the availability of nutrients to the visual system. As a result, eye diseases such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts occur more frequently in seniors.
The age-related issues include:
- Lower caloric needs
- A more sedentary lifestyle
- Digestive enzymes, which help break down food, are less
- Emotional changes as you retire
- Poor diet – convenience, cooking for only one or two, less energy for shopping and food preparation, lower income to pay for quality foods
- Health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and autoimmune issues
- Medication side effects
A few people have inherited genes that can increase their risk of developing Macular Degeneration, but this can occur before their senior years.
The Process of Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is the result of degeneration of multiple organ systems, including the retina and the tiny macula in the center. This eye disease is caused by genetic and environmental factors,1 including an imbalance between pro-oxidative free radicals. That means there are not enough antioxidants reaching the eyes to completely neutralize the free radical activity. Reduced antioxidant levels lead to damage to Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) cells through multiple pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and neovascularization.2
The main functions of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium include maintaining the blood-retinal barrier between photoreceptors and choroidal blood flow; and transporting ions, nutrients, and water.3 Protecting macular photoreceptor cells and RPE layers prevents visual impairment.
Additionally, as people age, the choroidal thickness gradually diminishes.4 As we age, some parts of the eye can change in ways that affect how well nutrients travel from tiny blood vessels (called choroidal capillaries) to an important support layer of the retina (the retinal pigment epithelium, or RPE). If that “delivery system” slows down, the outer retina may not get everything it needs to stay healthy, which can raise the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
One reason this matters is because the eye relies on “trophic factors,” which are helpful proteins made and released mostly by RPE cells and Muller cells (support cells in the retina). These proteins act like maintenance signals: they help eye cells stay alive, grow properly, specialize into the right kinds of cells, and repair themselves when damaged. If fewer of these supportive proteins are available, retinal cells can become more vulnerable over time.
Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is a key driver of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Because the retina is constantly working – processing light and maintaining high metabolic activity – and may also be exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from sunlight, it can produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS).5
When ROS levels rise, they can damage DNA, contributing to telomere shortening, impaired mitochondrial function, and changes in DNA methylation. Over time, this oxidative burden promotes the accumulation of harmful byproducts in the retinal pigment epithelium, disrupting normal cell function and sustaining a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state.
Inflammation
The RPE layer fundamentally modulates the immune system in the retina. However, the immune response in the RPE shifts toward a more inflammatory environment during the aging process,6 resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction.7 Damage to the mitochondria and malfunction can lead to increased ROS production, which in turn increases oxidative stress and results in a long-term chronic inflammatory state in the RPE.8 9 10
Neovascularization
Wet AMD develops when abnormal new blood vessels grow beneath or within the retina. These fragile vessels often leak fluid, which can distort central vision and lead to rapid vision loss if not treated – most commonly with anti-VEGF eye injections.
This process, called neovascularization (or angiogenesis),11 is influenced by both inflammation and proteolysis. Proteolysis is the enzyme-driven breakdown of proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids by proteases. In healthy tissue, proteolysis helps recycle damaged proteins and regulate normal cell activity (and it also plays a role in digestion). In the context of wet AMD, however, proteolytic activity can contribute to tissue remodeling in ways that support new vessel growth.
Natural Ways to Help Preserve Vision Related to AMD
A large body of peer-reviewed research suggests that the risk of developing AMD can be meaningfully lowered, and that vision can be better preserved in people living with both dry and wet AMD. The studies have consistently confirmed that AMD can be very responsive to diet, exercise, and targeted supplementation. Targeted antioxidants and other nutrients have been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation and inhibiting neovascularization in wet AMD, as well as helping to prevent the buildup of waste (drusen) in dry AMD.
Essential nutrients include: lutein, zeaxanthin, mesozeaxanthin, astaxanthin, taurine, bilberry, saffron, gingko biloba, lycopene, glutathione, B-complex, Omega-3 fatty acids, and turmeric if there is systemic inflammation.
Microcurrent Stimulation
Microcurrent stimulation has been used for over 40 years to help support healthy vision for those with AMD. Health Canada has approved MacuMira, a non-invasive medical device that uses microcurrent stimulation to treat dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). It is considered an off-label treatment still in the US. Microcurrent stimulation uses a very specific series of frequencies and settings that do the following:
- Supports healthy circulation to the retina (and optic nerves) that helps get the oxygen, blood and nutrients to the eyes.
- Increases energy (ATP) production in the cells of the eyes
- Helps the retina eliminate waste (related to drusen build-up)
- Potentially increases adult stem cell activity
NOTE: MCS units are TENS units, but only very specific MCS units are designated for safe eye use.
Microcurrent Home Device
Microcurrent Stimulation 100ile Purchase Option – home unit for supporting retinal and optic nerve health. Summaries of 7 studies done to date are summarized on the product page. All the studies showed that after 6 months of daily usage, those that had lost vision related to AMD showed improved vision up to 2-3 lines on the eye Snellen eyechart.
Suggested Supplements
Dr. Grossman’s Complete Eye Formula 2oz (oral spray)
Dr. Grossman’s Complete Eye (oral Spray)/Meso Plus Combo Package
Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (whole food) 60 vcaps – this formula is whole food, organic and GMO free with lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry, and much more.
Dr. Grossman’s Meso Plus Retinal Support and Computer Eye Strain Formula with Astaxanthin 90 vcaps – also contains lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxaanthin, taurine and more.
Advanced Eye & Vision Support & Meso Plus Formula with Astaxanthin (3-mo. Combo)
Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye and Dr. G’s Whole Food Superfood Multi120 Vcap Combo – 2 months supply
Dr. Grossman’s Blood Vessel Control Formula 2oz – bed on an NIH study showing this combination of herbs helps reduce the risk of unwanted blood vessel growth. Also has other benefits including supporting healthy circulation and reducing inflammation.
Dr. Grossman’s ReVision Formula (wild-crafted herbal formula) 2 oz
Retinal Support (wild-crafted herbal formula) 2 oz
Resveratrol Ultra High Potency 60 gels – Antioxidant
NMN Wonderfeel Capsul 60 vegcaps
Recommended Books
Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision and Healing
Natural Parkinson’s Support (ebook): Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Parkinson’s
- Li W. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2021. ↩
- Mahendra CK, Tan LTH, Pusparajah P, Htar TT, Chuah L-H, Lee VS, Low LE, Tang SY, Chan K-G, Goh BH. Detrimental effects of UVB on retinal pigment epithelial cells and its role in age-related macular degeneration. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020;2020:Article ID 2020. ↩
- Chakraborti S. Handbook of Oxidative Stress in Cancer: Therapeutic Aspects. Springer Nature; 2022. ↩
- Cortright DN, Meade R, Waters SM, Chenard BL, Krause JE. C5a, but not C3a, increases VEGF secretion in ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Curr Eye Res. 2009;34:57-61. ↩
- Domenech EB, Marfany G. The relevance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and therapy of retinal dystrophies. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9. ↩
- Sreekumar PG, Reddy ST, Hinton DR, Kannan R. Mechanisms of RPE senescence and potential role of alphaB crystallin peptide as a senolytic agent in experimental AMD. Exp Eye Res. 2022;215:108918. ↩
- Jarrett SG, Lin H, Godley BF, Boulton ME. Mitochondrial DNA damage and its potential role in retinal degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2008;27:596-607. ↩
- Balistreri CR, Candore G, Accardi G, Colonna-Romano G, Lio D. NF-kappaB pathway activators as potential ageing biomarkers: targets for new therapeutic strategies. Immun Ageing. 2013;10:24. ↩
- Lin M-M, Liu N, Qin Z-H, Wang Y. Mitochondrial-derived damage-associated molecular patterns amplify neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2022;43:2439-2447. ↩
- Balistreri CR, Candore G, Accardi G, Colonna-Romano G, Lio D. NF-kappaB pathway activators as potential ageing biomarkers: targets for new therapeutic strategies. Immun Ageing. 2013;10:24. ↩
- Campa C, Costagliola C, Incorvaia C, Sheridan C, Semeraro F, De Nadai K, Sebastiani A, Parmeggiani F. Inflammatory mediators and angiogenic factors in choroidal neovascularization: pathogenetic interactions and therapeutic implications. Mediators Inflamm. 2010;2010. ↩
