EyePromise® eye vitamins offers education guide to promote awareness on AMD

Due to the aging Baby Boomer population, AMD, or Age-related Macular Degeneration, is expected to double by the year 2020. Patient education is critical in fighting vision loss and preserving healthy vision. In observance of February being National AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month, EyePromise® eye vitamins is offering a complimentary patient education guide, "Getting Clear on AMD" to help spread the word on this common eye condition.

AMD, the leading cause of vision loss among adults age 50 and older, affects millions of Americans each year. The disease damages the macula, a small spot near the center of the retina in the back of the eye, which is responsible for central vision, fine details, and color. There is no cure for AMD currently -- its effects are irreversible.

"Known risk factors include age, family history, low macular pigment, poor diet, and smoking," said Chris Barber, President of ZeaVision, the parent company of EyePromise. "A higher prevalence also occurs in the female gender. Scientific evidence demonstrates a diet rich in brightly colored fruits and dark green vegetables as well as supplementation to increase the intake of important antioxidants and photo-protectants can protect and enhance vision, particularly for those with AMD risk factors or early to intermediate AMD."

According to the National Eye Institute's Age-related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS 2) clinical trial, a large five-year, FDA-sponsored study, participants with intermediate to advanced AMD who had the lowest intake of dietary Zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin) and Lutein achieved an amazing 26 percent risk reduction of progression to advanced AMD by supplementing with Zeaxanthin and Lutein.

Commonly referred to as "macular pigments," Zeaxanthin and Lutein are protective dietary derived pigments found in the macula. Numerous research studies demonstrate that dietary Zeaxanthin and Lutein intake increases low macular pigment level – a key risk factor for AMD.

The human body does not produce Zeaxanthin or Lutein, so dietary intake and supplementation are essential in maintaining healthy macular pigment.

Daily supplementation of dietary Zeaxanthin and Lutein slowed the progression to advanced AMD in all AREDS 2 participants by an additional 10 percent over the original AREDS formula alone.

EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free and AREDS 2 Plus with a Multi-Vitamin were designed for patient types studied in the AREDS 2 clinical trial. The products contain the same dietary ingredients -- plus other essential nutrients, including 10 milligrams of dietary Zeaxanthin, as well as Vitamin D3, Omega-3's, and other science-supported ingredients to promote ocular health.

Because 90% of AREDS 2 participants also took a daily multi-vitamin, AREDS 2 Plus with a Multi-Vitamin is offered in a daily convenience pack of one multi-vitamin tablet and one softgel to reduce cost and facilitate convenient usage. Both EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus formulas contain the highest levels of dietary Zeaxanthin available of any eye vitamin on the market.