Set your sights on vision nutrition

Better Nutrition, Oct, 1996 by Stephen Langer

A classic story that Jonathan Wright, M.D., of Kent, Wash., likes to tell other doctors at his seminars is how he came upon a "formula" for treating macular degeneration, a condition in both eyes of deteriorating central vision in the macula lutea (a small yellowish area lying slightly lateral to the retina in the back of the eye) which may lead to blindness.

"I discovered a method of stopping macular degeneration - sometimes reversing it - in, of all places, that noted medical journal, called the Yakima (Washington) Valley Sun," he laughingly informs the audience.

"The newspaper published the observations of Dr. Joseph Bittner on how he actually reversed his own macular degeneration," he continues.

"He reported substantial improvement in his vision following oral doses of selenium and vitamin E. Selenium deficiency is endemic [particular and local to the area] in the soils of the state of Washington."

In the years that followed, whenever a patient asked Wright if there was an alternative to the allopathic laser treatment, which often presents hazards, he passed along Bittner's formula.

One of his patients had such good results with this regimen that his orthodox ophthalmologist told him that his initial diagnosis of macular degeneration must have been a mistake. Because there is no conventional cure for this disorder, and quite a few of Wright's patients showed an improvement, a number of ophthalmologists began to doubt their own initial diagnoses.

Wright reported to his audience that several of his patients indicated considerable improvement. A few seemed to show a halt in deterioration. Others showed no improvement, or their deterioration continued.

However, these results, coupled with that of Bittner, moved Wright to study publications on the subject, and he added other nutrients to the formula@ zinc to accompany he selenium, vitamin E, and, eventually, the amino acid, taurine.

"My patients seemed to have better results with zinc, vitamin E, and taurine added to Dr. Bittner's original formula," Wright states.

More than 10 years ago, a 61-year old woman arrived in his office for an urgent appointment with a report of rapidly progressing macular degeneration. She wanted a natural approach to her condition, rather than face the possible hazards of laser treatment.

Wright picks up the rest of the story in a case report he and two associates prepared for the Journal of Nutritional Medicine:

"Her vitamin/mineral supplement record (kept very completely and carefully by her husband) showed she had been taking selenium, vitamin E, and zinc in adequate quantities for several years for other reasons.

However, she was also known to be hypochlorhydric (short on hydrochloric acid, the stomach acid essential for efficient digestion of food), allergic and malabsorptive, so zinc and selenium were given by I.V. (intravenously.)

"During the first selenium/zinc. treatment, she shouted for the nurse, reporting that she could read the print on the poster across the room, which had been blurred (to her) before the I.V. started.

"Following the treatment, she was given I.M. (intramuscular) vitamin E. She was advised to continue oral zinc, selenium, and vitamin E in higher doses, and to add taurine. Initially, she needed a zinc/selenium boost every two to three days or her vision would deteriorate again. Presently, four years later, she still needs a treatment every few weeks.

"After this initial success, we subsequently treated a number of cases of macular degeneration with a series of zinc/selenium treatments (along with oral vitamin E and taurine).

Oral zinc and selenium supplementation are recommended also. We try to taper off the medical treatments as soon as is practicable."

Wright states that results have been good since he switched to the initial treatment of zinc/selenium for all patients. Just a single person - initially seen eight years previous - has had no response to this regimen. Some who have responded still need an occasional treatment to augment their oral supplements and maintain their visual improvement. This is not at all to suggest, however, that most people require such invasive supplementation; almost all of us can obtain optimum levels of eye nutrients through careful eating and oral nutritional supplements.

Selenium and zinc appear to be at the heart of successful macular degeneration treatment, Wright concludes. Vitamin E seems to complement selenium activity, while taurine may or may not be necessary. However, blood tests reveal a low to low-normal fasting plasma level of taurine in many patients with macular degeneration.

Wright found no selenium side effects in patients he treated for macular degeneration (although 200 mcg/day should not be exceeded). However, he cautions that long-term zinc supplementation could upset the copper-zinc ratio, thereby altering the HDL ("good, cholesterol) ratio unfavorably, which could possibly cause PVCs Can occasional irregular heartbeat) or anemia.

Periodically, he checks his patient's copper levels and supplements this essential trace mineral when necessary, avoiding medical complications.