Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C (Ascorbate)
For the body system: Eyes

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin C (ascorbate) has some scientific evidence supporting its role in eye health, though the strength of this evidence is moderate. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, and the lens and retina are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. Epidemiological studies have found that higher dietary intake of vitamin C is associated with a decreased risk of cataract formation. The most significant scientific evidence comes from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS and AREDS2), which investigated the effects of high-dose antioxidant supplementation (including vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper) on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression. The studies found that the combination of these antioxidants, including vitamin C, slows the progression of intermediate to advanced AMD in some patients. However, vitamin C alone has not been shown to have a strong preventive or therapeutic effect on eye diseases.

There is also some evidence that vitamin C levels are lower in the aqueous humor and lens of patients with cataracts. While supplementation may help maintain normal eye physiology, randomized controlled trials have not established vitamin C as a stand-alone treatment for cataracts or other major eye diseases. Overall, vitamin C's use for supporting eye health is justified by its role in antioxidant defense, but the direct impact on preventing or treating eye diseases is limited, earning it a moderate evidence rating.

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