Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin E, particularly in the forms of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols, has been investigated for its potential role in supporting or treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Interest in its use is largely based on the antioxidant properties of vitamin E, as oxidative stress is thought to contribute to the progression of AMD. The most significant scientific evaluation comes from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2, large randomized controlled trials conducted by the National Eye Institute. In these studies, a combination antioxidant formula was tested, which included vitamin E (400 IU), vitamin C, beta-carotene (later replaced by lutein and zeaxanthin), zinc, and copper. The AREDS formula was shown to reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD by about 25% in people with intermediate or advanced disease in one eye. However, the benefit cannot be attributed to vitamin E alone, as it was part of a multi-ingredient formulation. There is limited evidence that vitamin E by itself, or in the form of mixed tocopherols/tocotrienols, is effective for AMD. Recent reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that vitamin E supplementation alone does not prevent AMD or slow its progression. Thus, while vitamin E is included in evidence-based antioxidant formulas, its individual efficacy is unproven, and the overall evidence for its specific use in AMD is modest.

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