Evidence for the Use of Nutritional Supplements and Herbal Medicines in Common Eye Diseases
Accepted 9 July 2005. published online 30 September 2005.
Purpose
To provide a perspective by reviewing the evidence for the role of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines in the common causes of visual impairment.
Design
Retrospective literature review.
Methods
Published studies and information found in PubMed, International Bibliographic Information of Dietary Supplements, and selected websites were reviewed for the role of nutritional and herbal medicines in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. The studies were evaluated systematically for their study design, study population, benefits, risks, biases, and criteria for the categorization of the level of evidence.
Results
The available evidence does support the use of certain vitamins and minerals in patients with certain forms of age-related macular degeneration. For cataracts, the available evidence does not support these supplements to prevent or treat cataracts in healthy individuals. For diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, the available evidence does not support the use of these supplements. In the category of herbal medicines, the available evidence does not support the use of herbal medicines for any of these ocular diseases.
Conclusion
Because of the widespread use of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines, ophthalmologists should be aware of their use so that they can inform patients properly when the supplements and herbal medicine are being used for eye disease.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Inquiries to Adrienne L. West, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, 1000 Wall St, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; fax: (734) 615-0542
Supported in part by a departmental unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness.
ABSTRACT