Denton County Living Well Magazine May/June 2017 | Page 54

Devouring Kale and Eye
Health Supplements?
That May Be Too Much of a Good Thing
E
ye doctors regularly prescribe oral supplementa-
tion, Age-Related Eye Disease Study-2 (AREDS2),
to slow the progression of macular degeneration
which is the leading cause of vision loss-- more than
cataracts and glaucoma combined. However, a
recent case study published in JAMA Ophthalmology , a
trusted industry journal among ophthalmologists, revealed
an incident which occurred when one woman took the
AREDS2 supplementation too far. Yes; one can overdose
on nutritional supplements.
Dr. Ronald Barke is a board certified ophthalmologist with
Key-Whitman Eye Center that has been practicing in Arling-
ton, Texas since 1995. Dr. Barke informs that the JAMA report
highlights the importance of practicing common sense and
consulting a doctor before adding supplements to our diets.
As Dr. Barke further explains, “The woman identified in the
report ended up with crystal deposits in the macular region of
her retina. Unbeknownst to the patient (who didn’t have macu-
lar degeneration), she was overdosing on lutein by consuming
double the recommended daily dosage of lutein supplements
and drinking a daily smoothie loaded with lutein-rich foods
like kale and spinach.”
While the JAMA report does highlight a problem, Dr. Barke
says the positive sides of lutein supplements for treating
macular degeneration – the AREDS-2 formula in particular
– outweighs the risks. Along with lutein, the antioxidant rich
AREDS-2 formula includes nutrients, vitamins, zinc that studies
have shown supports eye health.
“There are millions of patients who successfully take lutein
supplements like AREDS-2 to manage macular degenera-
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DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MAY/JUNE 2017
Courtesy Key-Whitman Eye Center
tion. This case involved one patient who took too much of
a good thing. Lutein supplements have proven to be a very
effective treatment for slowing the progression of vision loss
caused by this disease,” explains Dr. Barke.
How to prevent getting too much of a good thing? Dr.
Barke encourages patients to talk openly and candidly with
their eye doctor about their diets and all medications or
supplements they take. As he explains, “At Key-Whitman
we regularly review our macular degeneration patients’
dietary, medication and supplementation history to help
ensure we prescribe the appropriate type and dosage of
supplements.”
Early diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration is
vital for fending off vision loss caused by the disease. In-
dividuals who are at higher risk for macular degeneration
should schedule – at a minimum – annual screenings with
an eye doctor.
Main risk factors for macular degeneration include:
• Age 50 and above
• Family history of macular degeneration
• Smoker or former smoker
• Obesity
Once diagnosed, your eye doctor can recommend a variety of
treatments, based on the type of macular degeneration – wet or
dry – diagnosed.
Don’t let fears of macular degeneration overshadow the impor-
tance of early screening for macular degeneration and prevent
you from seeing an eye doctor. Dr. Barke finds that patients with
macular degeneration or those who are at risk for the disease