Vitamin A Supplements do not Improve Vision for Individuals with Retinitis Pigmentosa
Wednesday, February 21 2024 | 07 h 53 min | Vision Science
A new study from Dr. Eric Pierce and Dr. Jason Comander at Mass Eye and Ear does not show any benefit to taking high-dose vitamin A supplements for people with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
An older study looking at patient data from 1984-1991 had originally suggested that taking vitamin A supplements could in a small way slow the loss of vision for individuals with RP. The study also found that taking vitamin E supplements increased vision loss.
In this newer study, published in the journal JCI Insight, Dr. Pierce and his team looked at additional longer-term data from the original patients. The new analysis confirmed that vitamin E supplements should be avoided by patients with RP, but did not show any benefit from taking vitamin A. In the original study the impact of vitamin A supplements on vision was very small, and the results have been controversial. This new study suggests there is no benefit to vitamin A supplements for people with RP.
Other studies have previously suggested that for individuals with Stargardt’s disease, vitamin A supplements can increase retinal degeneration and should be avoided.
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