New Vitamin Regimen Could Extend Useful Vision for Up to 20 Years for Sufferers of Retinitis Pigmentosa and Certain Types of Usher Syndrome (Types 2&3)

The Foundation Fighting Blindness has updated its information on the combined treatment regimen of vitamin A palmitate, oily fish (DHA) and lutein, which may slow vision loss in people with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Usher syndrome types 2 and 3. The new information replaces the Vitamin A Packet previously provided by the Foundation.

The treatment regimen is based on three peer-reviewed, Foundation-funded clinical studies conducted by Dr. Eliot Berson and his colleagues at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Berson reported that the combined regimen may provide up to 20 additional years of useful vision for people with typical forms of RP.

The new information includes:

• Research on lutein supplementation for slowing loss of mid-peripheral visual field

• Research on oily fish consumption, or DHA supplementation, for slowing loss of visual acuity

• Diseases for which vitamin A palmitate supplementation could be harmful

The new information can be downloaded from the Foundation's website. Printed copies may be obtained by contacting the Foundation's Information and Referral Department at 1-800-683-5555 or info@fightblindness.org.

Editors Note: The Foundation-funded clinical research studies conducted by Dr. Eliot Berson and his co-workers at the Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, demonstrated that the combined treatment regimen of vitamin A palmitate, oily fish and lutein may provide an additional 20 years of useful vision for people who were between 18 and 60 years of age with typical forms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or Usher syndrome types 2 or 3.

These participants also began the study with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/100 or better.

This document is an update to the information on the treatment regimen previously provided by the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Dr. Berson’s recommended treatment regimen is not appropriate for everyone with a retinal disease, and the decision to take it should only be made between the patient and his or her doctor.