Help Your Vision As You Age With Vitamin B12 And Folic Acid

Akshata Agarwal

11 years ago

We all love our dear parents, grandparents and other elders of our family. When we see them suffer from various health problems as they move towards old age, we have that instant urge to find out solutions and help them in every possible way to relieve them of their discomforts. How many such age-related problems have you come across which your parents/grandparents suffer??? Well to name a few, there are eyesight problems, hearing problems, backache and joint pains, etc.Out of this eyesight or vision, problems are almost mandatory with every old aged individual. So today, we shall discuss one such problem known as- Age-Related Macular Degeneration Disease (AMD) which may land you up as visually challenged, which is caused by vitamin b12 folic acid deficiency.

So what should you do to help your vision as you age?

You don’t have to put in real efforts to delay or avoid vision problems as you age. But, all you have to do is take multivitamins especially B-complex containing Vitamin B6, Vitamin B-12, and folic acid, b12 folic acid, which have been proved to have an excellent role in helping out with your vision.

How does Vitamin B complex help in this regard?

Recent researches reveal that homocysteine levels in the body are linked to age-related macular degeneration and vision loss in old aged people. These homocysteine levels were found to get reduced by sufficient levels of Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and folate. Therefore, in this way, vitamin B12 supplements help you to delay the process of age-related problems like AMD and even heart diseases.

Research Findings

Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, carried out a trail on 5,442 women aged 40 or greater than that who already either had heart disease or who had risk factors for it. At the start of the study, 5,205 of the women were free of AMD. They were given either a supplement or a placebo. The supplements gave consisted of 2.5 mg of folic acid, 50 mg of vitamin B6 and 1mg of vitamin B12. Cases were observed for any incidence of AMD and were documented. Over an average of 7.3 years of treatment and follow-up, 137 new cases of AMD were noticed. Of these, there were 55 cases in the active treatment group, of which 26 were visually significant while 82 in the placebo group developed AMD, of which there were 44 visually significant cases. Therefore, women on supplements had a 34 % lower risk of any AMD and a 41% lower risk of visually significant AMD. They said that the protective effect acts through lowering homocysteine levels though there may also be an antioxidant effect exerted by the vitamins on the eyes. Folic acid deficiency can lead to AMD. So, by this, you can realize the effect of vitamins or vitamin supplements and also folic acid vitamin b12 on the health of young and aged people. It is always important to consume a nutritious diet. Hence have a diet rich in vitamins b12 sources and antioxidants such as folic acid dosage because even antioxidant supplements help in anti-aging by reducing cell damage due to free radicals. So now you the only and best solution to ease the problems of your parents/grandparents and also help yourself from facing these in future, the best thing is to provide your body with all the required amounts of vitamins and minerals or else opt for their supplements. So now NO MORE AGEING with all these multivitamins and antioxidants supplements freely available in the market, as you now know the folic acid benefits. Till now you learned all about the vitamin role and various researches on its role for vision. I am sure you must be wondering why am I talking about folic acid all these while and the main reason is that folic acid helps in better absorption of Vitamin B12 and also very effective for eye health The eye is one of the most composite parts of the body. The various parts of the eye allow the body to take in light and perceive objects around us in the proper color, detail, and depth. This enables people to make more informed decisions about their environment. If a portion of the eye becomes injured, you may not be able to see effectively or lose your vision altogether. What are the parts of the eye? Which part is not functioning properly when we suffer different vision problems like myopia and glaucoma? Which part produces tears?

What Is Eye Structure And Its Function?

To conjecture how the eye sees, it helps to remember the eye structures and functions:

Cornea

Light penetrates through the cornea, the transparent outer covering of the eye. The eyeball is rounded, so the cornea acts as a lens. It doubles or refracts light.

Aqueous Humor

The fluid beneath the cornea has a composition similar to that of blood plasma. The aqueous humor helps to shape the cornea and gives nourishment to the eye.

Iris and Pupil

Light passes through the cornea and aqueous humor through an opening called the pupil. The size of the pupil is determined by the iris, the contractile ring that is associated with eye color. As the pupil dilates (gets bigger), more light enters the eye.

Lens

While most of the focusing of light is done by the cornea, the lens allows the eye to focus on either near or distant objects. Ciliary muscles surround the lens, relaxing to flatten it to image distant objects and contracting to thicken the lens to image close-up objects.

Vitreous Humor

A certain distance is required to focus light. The vitreous humor is a transparent watery gel that encourages the eye and allows for this distance.

What Are The Diseases and Disorders Related to Eye And Vision?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the physical distraction of the center of the retina known the macula.

Bulging Eyes

Swelling eyes, or proptosis, happens when one or both eyes protrude from the eye sockets due to space using lesions such as swelling of the muscles, fat, and also tissue behind the eye.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a degenerative form of eye disorder in which the lens gradually becomes opaque and vision mists over.

Cataracts In Babies

In rare cases, children evolve cataracts in the first few years of their lives.

CMV Retinitis

CMV Retinitis is a dangerous infection of the retina that often affects people with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and that may also influence people with other immune diseases.

Colour Blindness

Colour blindness is not actually blindness in the true sense but rather is a color vision deficiency—people who are affected by it simply do not agree with most other people about color matching.

Crossed Eyes (Called as Strabismus)

Crossed eyes (or strabismus) occur when a person’s eyes are not able to align on the same point at the same time and appear to be misaligned or pointed in different directions.

Diabetic Macular Oedema

Diabetic Macular Oedema is caused by fluid accumulation in the macula. Patients typically experience blurred vision which can be a danger.

Eye Floaters and Eye Flashes

Floaters are little specks or clouds that move across your field of vision—especially when you are staring at a bright, plain background, like a blank wall or a cloudless blue sky.

Eyelid Twitching

Sometimes your eyelid simply twitches.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma happens when a build-up of fluid in the eye creates pressure, injuring the optic nerve.

Keratoconus

When the cornea in the front of the eye, which usually is round, becomes thin and also cone shaped.

Lazy Eye

Generally, known as lazy eye, amblyopia is a poor vision in an eye that does not permit sufficient use during early childhood.

Low Vision

Whenever ordinary glasses or contact lenses don’t make a clear vision, you are contemplated to have low vision.

Ocular Hypertension

Ocular hypertension is an increase in pressure in the eye that is above the range considered normal.

Retinal Detachment

When the retina detaches, the light-sensitive membrane in the back of the eye becomes separated from the nerve tissue and blood supply underneath it.

Uveitis

Uveitis is the inflammation of the inner layer of the eye, specifically affecting one or more of the three parts of the eye that make up the uvea.

What Affects Vision Clarity?

Have you noticed that on some days your vision is more clear and on other days the blurriness seems to be worse? One person with early dry AMD shares his experience, “Sometimes my vision is as clear as can be, but on some days (seems to be more on less sunny days with lots of glare) I can hardly see anything, things are so blurry. And then my vision returns to normal again after a good sleep for instance. “ Another person stated, “My vision is worse at night and on dark days. I love sunshine.” Don’t be surprised if you notice alters in the clarity of your vision during different days or at different times during the day. The top 4 things that can affect the sharpness of your vision are 1. Eye Strain 2. Sunshine 3. Stress 4. Lack of sleep.

What Are The Common Vision Problems?

The most common vision issues are refractive errors, more commonly known as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Refractive errors happen when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing straightly on the retina. The length of the eyeball (either longer or shorter), alters in the shape of the cornea, or aging of the lens can be the reason for refractive errors. Most of the people have one or more of these conditions. The cornea and lens bend (refract) incoming light rays so they focus precisely on the retina at the back of the eye.

What Is Refraction?

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through one object to another. Vision occurs when light rays are bent (refracted) as they pass through the cornea and the lens. The light is then focused on the retina. The retina converts the light-rays into messages that are sent through the optic nerve to the brain. The brain interprets these messages into the images we see.

What Are The Different Types Of Refractive Errors?

The most common types of refractive errors are nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. 1. Nearsightedness (also called myopia) is a state where objects up close seem clearly, while objects far away appear blurry. With nearsightedness, the light comes to point in front of the retina instead of on the retina. Learn more about nearsightedness. 2. Farsightedness (also known as hyperopia) is a general type of refractive error where faraway objects may be seen more precisely than objects that are near. However, people encounter farsightedness conversely. Few people may not notice any problems with their vision, particularly when they are young. For people with important farsightedness, vision can be blurry for objects at any distance, near or far. Learn more about farsightedness. 3. Astigmatism is a state in which the eye does not center light evenly onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This can cause pictures to appear blurry and also stretched out. Learn more about astigmatism. 4. Presbyopia is an age-related state in which the capacity to focus up close becomes more difficult. As the eye ages, the lens can no longer change shape adequate to allow the eye to focus close objects clearly. Learn more about presbyopia.

What Can Vitamin B12 Do For Your Eyes?

Plenty of us has been on diets before. To lose weight, to feel younger, to reduce blood pressure. You are what you eat, as the saying goes, and in terms of health, it couldn’t be truer. But you probably haven’t dieted for your eyes. In the big world of nutrition, eyesight is often left behind by more mainstream concerns, such as weight loss or maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. But that doesn’t mean your eyes don’t feel the effects of diet – just the opposite, really. Your eyes are delicate organs and require a mix of nutrients to stay at their best. Vitamin B12 is among them, though researchers are still learning more about its exact role in keeping eyes well.

What Are The Basics Of B12?

Chemically, vitamin B12 is a big, complex molecule. So much so, in fact, that it’s currently impossible to synthesize without the help of bacteria. As very, very few living organisms (only the aforementioned bacteria, as well as other single-celled life called archaea) produce it naturally, humans have to get their fair share through diet. Fortunately, B12 can be found in most animal products. Seafood, particularly shellfish, is an excellent source of B12, as are dairy products and eggs. Liver’s a little off the beaten dietary path for some, but it’s an incredible source of many vitamins, including B12. For people who aren’t so eager to turn to the above options, getting sufficient amounts of B12 can be difficult. Vegans can take advantage of a wide range of B12 fortified products. Cereal, health bars, and yeast are all available in fortified forms. However, the actual amount of vitamin B12 in these foods varies and may not be enough for everyone. As a result, vegetarians and vegans are generally advised to take B12 supplements on top of their regular diet.

What Are The Effects Of Vitamin B12 On Vision?

We’re still a ways from understanding what parts of the visual system require vitamin b12, but recent studies have started to shed light on several uses of the vitamin. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an enormous and increasing problem for older individuals. The disease results from either a buildup of deposits at the back of the eye or the growth of abnormal blood vessels. In both cases, sufferers lose significant portions of the central vision. While treatment can go a long way toward stopping the progression of the disease, actually catching a case of AMD isn’t easy, given how subtly it advances. While there’s no cure for AMD, there does appear to be a dietary means of slowing it down. A 2009 research found that a vitamin cocktail of B6, B12, and folic acid cut the risk of female associates’ developing AMD by 34 percent, and made them 41 percent less likely to experience serious forms of the disease. Optic neuropathy is among the unique effects of vitamin b12 deficiency, but still poses a substantial threat to eyes. The optic nerve is capable of transmitting signals from the eyes to the brain; without it, even a patient with a differently healthy eye could lose vision. Vitamin b12 deficiency provides nerves, including the optic nerve, more brittle, and can cause damage to the optic nerve, resulting in reduced central vision. In one case, vitamin b12 supplementation not only stopped the vision loss of a 68-year-old patient but actually reversed it, departing his vision to normal levels after several months. In another study, it was discovered that three children with autism (who rarely ate animal products and consequently had lowered vitamin b12 levels) had vitamin b12-related vision problems, which were again addressed successfully with supplementation.

What Are The Symptoms In Vision Problem By Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause below symptoms that vary from being mild to extremely severe. 1. Disturbed Vision 2. Blurry image 3. Water in eyes.

What Are The Dosages?

The typical usual supplemental dose of vitamin B12 is 1-25 mcg per day: The suggested dietary allowances (RDA) of vitamin B12 are 1.8 mcg; older children and for adults, 2.4 mcg; pregnant women, 2.6 mcg; and for breastfeeding women, 2.8 mcg. Because 10% to 30% of elder people do not consume food-bound vitamin B12 efficiently, those over 50 years should encounter the RDA by consuming foods fortified with B12 or by taking a vitamin B12 supplement. Supplementation of 25-100 mcg in a day has been utilized to maintain vitamin B12 levels in older people. But always remember RDA levels are for those whose wants to maintain their Vitamin B12 levels but people who are deficient in the same might require a higher dosage to boost their vitamin level. As above you can able to know lots of information on vitamin b12. B12 is important for the healthy functioning of our body and we must try and include it in your diet. Till now you learned all about the vitamin role and various researches on its role for vision. I am sure you must be wondering why am I talking about folic acid all these while and the main reason is that folic acid helps in better absorption of Vitamin B12 and also very effective for eye health The eye is one of the most composite parts of the body. The various parts of the eye allow the body to take in light and perceive objects around us in the proper colour, detail and depth. This enables people to make more informed decisions about their environment. If a portion of the eye becomes injured, you may not be able to see effectively or lose your vision altogether. What are the parts of the eye? Which part is not functioning properly when we suffer different vision problems like myopia and glaucoma? Which part produces tears?

What Affects Vision Clarity?

What Are The Common Vision Problems?

What Is Refraction?

What Are The Different Types Of Refractive Errors?

What Can Vitamin B12 Do For Your Eyes?

Plenty of us has been on diets before. To lose weight, to feel younger, to reduce blood pressure. You are what you eat, as the saying goes, and in terms of health, it couldn’t be truer. But you probably haven’t dieted for your eyes. In the big world of nutrition, eyesight is often left behind by more mainstream concerns, such as weight loss or maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. But that doesn’t mean your eyes don’t feel the effects of diet – just the opposite, really. Your eyes are delicate organs and require a mix of nutrients to stay at their best. Vitamin B12 is among them, though researchers are still learning more about its exact role in keeping eyes well.

What Are The Basics of B12?

What Are The Effects of Vitamin B12 on Vision?

We’re still a ways from understanding what parts of the visual system require vitamin b12, but recent studies have started to shed light on several uses of the vitamin. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an enormous and increasing problem for older individuals. The disease results from either a buildup of deposits at the back of the eye or the growth of abnormal blood vessels. In both cases, sufferers lose significant portions of the central vision. While treatment can go a long way toward stopping the progression of the disease, actually catching a case of AMD isn’t easy, given how subtly it advances. While there’s no cure for AMD, there does appear to be a dietary means of slowing it down. A 2009 research found that a vitamin cocktail of B6, B12, and folic acid cut the risk of female associates’ developing AMD by 34 percent, and made them 41 percent less likely to experience serious forms of the disease. Optic neuropathy is among the unique effects of vitamin b12 deficiency, but still poses a substantial threat to eyes. The optic nerve is capable of transmitting signals from the eyes to the brain; without it, even a patient with a differently healthy eye could lose vision. Vitamin b12 deficiency provides nerves, including the optic nerve, more brittle, and can cause damage to the optic nerve, resulting in reduced central vision. In one case, vitamin b12 supplementation not only stopped the vision loss of a 68-year-old patient but actually reversed it, departing his vision to normal levels after several months. In another study, it was discovered that three children with autism (who rarely ate animal products and consequently had lowered vitamin b12 levels) had vitamin b12-related vision problems, which were again addressed successfully with supplementation.

What Are The Symptoms In Vision Problem By Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause below symptoms that vary from being mild to extremely severe. 1. Disturbed Vision 2. Blurry image 3. Water in eyes.