Evidence for the use of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines in common eye diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a perspective by reviewing the evidence for the role of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines in the common causes of visual impairment.


METHODS
Retrospective literature review.


METHODS
Published studies and information found in PubMed, International Bibliographic Information of Dietary Supplements, and selected websites were reviewed for the role of nutritional and herbal medicines in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. The studies were evaluated systematically for their study design, study population, benefits, risks, biases, and criteria for the categorization of the level of evidence.


RESULTS
The available evidence does support the use of certain vitamins and minerals in patients with certain forms of age-related macular degeneration. For cataracts, the available evidence does not support these supplements to prevent or treat cataracts in healthy individuals. For diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, the available evidence does not support the use of these supplements. In the category of herbal medicines, the available evidence does not support the use of herbal medicines for any of these ocular diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the widespread use of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines, ophthalmologists should be aware of their use so that they can inform patients properly when the supplements and herbal medicine are being used for eye disease.
West
Adrienne L
AL
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, 1000 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. adrwest@umich.edu
Oren
Gale A
GA
Moroi
Sayoko E
SE
D002386:Cataract / Q000188:drug therapy; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy