Overview:

Best's disease, also known as Best's vilelliform macular dystrophy, is a hereditary form of progressive macular dystrophy.

The macula is located at the back of the eye. It is a small area of about 1mm in diameter from which we get our sharpest vision. In the macula there is a concentration of cone cells. These cells are responsible for color vision, sharp visual acuity and central vision. There are 6-7 million cone cells in the retina, the highest concentration of which is in the fovea, a tiny area in the center of the macula.

The condition can be identified between 3 and 15 years of age.

There are five stages to this disease as follows:

• Stage 1: Initially a recording of eye movements and eye position identifies abnormal electrical potential. Eyes will be tested resting or moving in dark and light conditions.
• Stage 2: Usually occurs between 10-25 years of age. Typical yellow spots, sometimes accompanied by material leaking into a space by the retina can be observed; an observation called "egg-yolk" lesion.
• Stage 3: When part of the lesion becomes absorbed, this is identified as stage three. Even at this stage there may be little effect on vision.
• Stage 4: At this stage, when the "egg-yolk" breaks up in a process referred to as "scrambled-egg", sight will probably be affected.
• Stage 5: The fifth and final stage is when the condition causes the most severe sight loss.

Symptoms:

Gradual loss of central vision.

Causes:

Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy is a condition that tends to run genetically in families.

Conventional Treatment:

There is no current conventional treatment.

Complementary Treatment:

We recommend the following protocol. The dosages recommended are for adults average weight 150 pounds. For children, adjust dosages relative to weight.

Where possible, we use products that can be taken in liquid form for best absorption.

To order either "Click Here" for the complete product list or click on any product below for a greater description or also to order.

The recommendations are given in order of priority. We suggest the following:

If you are not sure which nutrients you need, we offer free consultations either by e-mail or by telephone (845-255-8222).

Essential: Macula Complete Eye Multivitamin this formula is an excellent eye multivitamin foundation formula recommended for those with any retinal conditions.
Each bottle contains 180 capsules. Cost $60 per bottle ($58 on automatic delivery). Recommended dosage is 8 capsules per day taken with meals.
Essential: Pure Focus offered through Nutritional Focus, is in liquid form and contains lutein, zeaxanthin, vinpocetine and small levels of vitamin E to support absorption. Lutein and zeaxanthin filter light, and serve as potent free radical scavengers for the retina. Vinpocetine improves the utilization of glucose and oxygen in the brain and retina. Cost to patient is $28 per month for the first 2 months ($24 per month on automatic delivery). Recommended dosage is 1 pump 5 times per day under the tongue for the first two months, then 1 pump 3 times per day under the tongue thereafter.
Essential: Carlson's Fine Fish Oil is in liquid form. One bottle contains 6.7 fluid ounces, and 1 teaspoon contains 1600 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids (800 mg of EPA and 500 mg of DHA), plus 14 mg of antioxidants to preserve freshness. Omega-3 fatty acids help improve circulation, integrity of blood vessels, proper brain functioning, flexibility and permeability of cell membranes, and helps protect the retina's photoreceptor cells. Recommended dosage is 2-3 teaspoonfuls per day. Cost is $20 per bottle ($18 on automatic delivery).
Essential: Microcurrent Stimulation Home Unit (MicroStim or MCS): uses gentle waves of microcurrent around the eyes to promote improved energy and blood circulation in the retina, improved delivery of nutrients and removal of ongoing waste created in the retina by light. It is a therapy that has been helping people with macular degeneration stabilize their condition and preserve vision (click on above for summary of studies and pricing options). Recommended usage is one 5-minute cycle four times per day.

Other Helpful Nutrients Below:

Important: Gingko Biloba Liquid Extract manufactured by Gaia Herbs is in liquid form, and taken by dropper. According to a double blind study (see Research section for more details), Gingko Biloba may be helpful for those with macular degeneration. Gingko Biloba, among other benefits, improves circulation of blood to the brain and extremities. Cost is $22 per bottle ($20 on automatic delivery).
Helpful: AstaxanthinRecommended dosage is 4 mg per day (1 capsule).. Each bottle contains 60 capsules. Cost is $22 per bottle ($20 on automatic delivery).
Helpful: Digestive Care: As we age, we produce less enzymes needed for absorbing essential nutrients from food. Digestive Care by RightFoods?is designed to aid in replacing these lost enzymes, providing a full-spectrum of seven plant-sourced enzymes to support optimal digestion and absorption. This formula also includes intestinal bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus to promote improved intestinal flora for digestion. Recommended dosage is 1 capsule per day with meals. Each bottle contains 30 capsules. Cost is $13 per bottle ($11 on automatic delivery).

Helpful: RejuVeinate: is a unique formula that combines the antioxidant vitamin C with the herbs horse chestnut, butcher's broom, bilberry, and the bioflavonoid hesperidin ?all of which maximize vascular integrity. Horse chestnut helps improve the overall tone and strength of veins, control fluid levels within blood vessel walls, and may also help decrease vascular permeability. Butcher's broom helps address inflammation within the vascular system, and helps maintain vascular integrity. It works best when used in conjunction with vitamin C and hesperidin. RejuVeinate enhances vascular integrity by:
- Improving the overall tone and strength of veins and capillaries.
- Maintaining healthy vein constriction and dilation.
- Decreasing vascular permeability.
- Promoting blood flow to the tiny capillaries in the extremities.
Recommended Dosage is 2 capsules daily. Cost is $16.00 per bottle ($14.00 on automatic delivery). Each bottle contains 60 capsules.

Helpful: PaleoGreens Formula is excellent Green formula with a full array of organic vegetables, organic fruits and wheatgrasses. Cost is $42 per bottle ($40 per bottle on automatic delivery)

Note: Zinc may be helpful in protecting against vision loss due to macular degeneration. It is found in high concentrations in the eye, and helps bind the protective layer of the retina to the underlying tissue. We recommend up to 30 mg daily, with up to 2 mg of Copper.

Automatic delivery is available. Click Here for more information.

Self Help:

Since we consider most eye conditions to be a reflection of the health of the whole body, lifestyle choices and diet can play a major factor in getting and maintaining good vision. Below are some recommendations:

• Vision Diet recommended in Natural Eye Care, co-authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac., helps maintain a healthy lens that easily drains away metabolic wastes and toxins from eye tissues.
• Daily juicing of vegetables and fruits (preferably organic). Our suggested recipe is some combination of the following: ginger, garlic, leeks, parsley, beets, cabbage, carrots, celery, spinach, apples, grapes, raspberries, lemon, chlorophyll, wheat grasses (not too much fruit). For more information, go to "Click Here".
• Reduce or eliminate drinking caffeine and sodas, avoid aspartame (labeled diet foods)and man made fats (corn oil and safflower oil, trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils including canola oil, and especially margarines).
• Eliminate deep fat fried foods, monosodium glutanate (MSG) used as a flavor enhancer which is a potential retinal toxin (Inv Oph 1996; 37: 1618-24), and fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22). Eating greater amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol appear to increase the risk of AMD.