Dietary Intervention With a Targeted Micronutrient Formulation Reduces the Visual Discomfort Associated With Vitreous Degeneration

• DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.12.19
• Publication Date: 2021-10-19T06:19:25Z
• Authors: Emmanuel Ankamah; Marina Green-Gomez; Warren Roche; Eugene Ng; Ulrich Welge-Lüßen; Thomas Kaercher; John M. Nolan
• Keywords: Vitreous Body; 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Quality of Life; Vision Disorders; Visual Acuity; Humans; Clinical Trials; Micronutrients; 3. Good health

To investigate the impact of supplementation with a targeted micronutrient formulation on the visual discomfort associated with vitreous degeneration.In this clinical trial, 61 patients with symptomatic vitreous floaters were randomized to consume daily, the active supplement consisting of 125 mg L-lysine, 40 mg vitamin C, 26.3 mg Vitis vinifera extract, 5 mg zinc, and 100 mg Citrus aurantium or placebo for 6 months. Change in visual discomfort from floaters, assessed with the Floater Disturbance Questionnaire, was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity, letter contrast sensitivity, photopic functional contrast sensitivity with positive and negative contrast polarity, and quantitative vitreous opacity areas.After supplementation, the active group reported a significant decrease in their visual discomfort from floaters (P < 0.001), whereas the placebo group had no significant change in their visual discomfort (P = 0.416). At 6 months, there was a significant decrease in vitreous opacity areas in the active group (P < 0.001) and an insignificant increase in vitreous opacity areas in the placebo group (P = 0.081). Also, there was a significant improvement in photopic functional contrast sensitivity with positive contrast polarity in the active group after supplementation (P = 0.047).The findings of this study indicate improvements in vision-related quality of life and visual function of patients suffering from vitreous floaters after supplementation with a formulation of antioxidative and antiglycation micronutrients. Notably, these improvements were confirmed by the decrease in vitreous opacity areas in the active group.This targeted dietary intervention should be considered to support patients with symptomatic vitreous degeneration.