New Information on Vitamin A Treatment Regimen Now Available

Nov. 1, 2012 – The Foundation Fighting Blindness has updated its information on the combined treatment regimen of vitamin A palmitate, oily fish (DHA) and lutein, which can 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 oily fish consumption, or DHA supplementation, for slowing loss of visual acuity
• Research on lutein supplementation for slowing loss of mid-peripheral visual field
• 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .