Retinitis pigmentosa
Supplements studied for retinitis pigmentosa.
Overview
Vitamin A (3 studies) may slow vision loss in children with retinitis pigmentosa at age-adjusted doses up to 15,000 IU daily. Vitamin E (6 studies) does not appear to slow vision loss and may worsen decline in some analyses—it is not recommended. Lutein (4 studies) and Algal Oil (2 studies) show mostly negative or inconclusive results for preserving vision.
See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for supplement-specific trial summaries.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
4 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Vitamin AView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking vitamin A by mouth in doses adjusted for age, up to 15,000 IU daily, may help slow down vision loss in children with retinitis pigmentosa.
Browse 3 studies·1 meta-analysis
MetaVitamin A and fish oils for preventing the progression of retinitis pigmentosa2020n=944
A meta-analysis of 944 participants found that we included randomized controlled trials that enrolled participants of any age diagnosed with any degree of severity or type of RP, and evaluated the effectiveness of vitamin A, fish oils (DHA), or both compared to placebo, vitamins (other than vitamin A), or no therapy, as a.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 944
- Ages
- 4–55
ObservationalAssociation of Vitamin A Supplementation With Disease Course in Children With Retinitis Pigmentosa2018n=55
An observational study of 55 adults found that the adjusted model confirmed a slower mean rate of decline in the vitamin A cohort (difference, 0.0771 loge-unit per year; 95% CI for the difference, 0.0191-0.1350 loge-unit per year; P = .009).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 55
- Avg age
- ~9
RCTA randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa1993n=601
A randomized trial of 601 adults found that 15000 IU/day for 4–6 years while not statistically significant, similar trends were observed for rates of decline of visual field area.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 15000 IU/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 601
- Ages
- 18–49
Vitamin EView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking vitamin E by mouth does not seem to slow vision loss in people with retinitis pigmentosa.
- Some studies suggest it might even cause faster vision decline, but these results are uncertain.
- Vitamin E is not recommended for this condition.
Browse 6 studies
Clinical trialA randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa1993
A randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E in retinitis pigmentosa; published abstract details on outcomes were not available.
RCTA randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa1993n=601
A randomized trial of 601 adults found that 15000 IU/day for 4–6 years while not statistically significant, similar trends were observed for rates of decline of visual field area.
- Dose
- 15000 IU/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 601
- Ages
- 18–49
Clinical trialA randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa1993
A randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E in retinitis pigmentosa; published abstract details on outcomes were not available.
RCTA randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa1993
A randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E in retinitis pigmentosa; published abstract details on outcomes were not available.
RCTA randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa1993
A randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E in retinitis pigmentosa; published abstract details on outcomes were not available.
Clinical trialA randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa1993
A randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E in retinitis pigmentosa; published abstract details on outcomes were not available.
LuteinView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Some early studies suggest lutein might help in retinitis pigmentosa, but most research shows it does not improve vision or slow retinal damage in people with this condition.
Browse 4 studies
RCTClinical trial of lutein in patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A2010
In 225 nonsmoking retinitis pigmentosa patients on vitamin A, lutein 12 mg/day for 4 years slowed midperipheral visual field loss on the HFA 60-4 program versus control.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 12 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Ages
- 18–60
RCTLutein supplementation in retinitis pigmentosa: PC-based vision assessment in a randomized double-masked placebo-controlled clinical trial [NCT00029289]2006n=18
In 34 RP patients in a crossover trial, lutein 10–30 mg/day improved visual field and showed trends toward better visual acuity and contrast sensitivity versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Dose
- 10 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 18
Clinical trialMacular pigment and lutein supplementation in retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome2001
In RP and Usher syndrome patients, 6 months of lutein 20 mg/day increased macular pigment in many responders but did not change central visual acuity.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 20 mg/day
- Population
- Patients with retinitis pigmentosa or Usher syndrome
Clinical trialLutein improves visual function in some patients with retinal degeneration: a pilot study via the Internet2000n=16
In 16 retinal degeneration patients in an internet pilot study, lutein 20–40 mg/day for 14 weeks improved visual acuity by 0.7 dB and visual field area, with greater gains in blue-eyed participants.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Dose
- 40 mg/day
- Participants
- 16
Algal OilView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking DHA-enriched algal oil by mouth does not seem to slow major vision loss in men with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.
- Some data suggest it might slightly slow changes in night vision and visual field sensitivity.
Browse 2 studies
RCTDocosahexaenoic Acid Slows Visual Field Progression in X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa: Ancillary Outcomes of the DHAX Trial2015n=29
In 29 males with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa adherent to protocol, DHA 30 mg/kg/day for 4 years did not significantly slow visual field loss versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 years
- Dose
- 30 mg/kg/day
- Population
- Men
- Participants
- 29
- Ages
- 7–31
RCTFour-year placebo-controlled trial of docosahexaenoic acid in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (DHAX trial): a randomized clinical trial2014n=33
A 4-year RCT in 33 males with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa found high-dose DHA did not significantly slow cone ERG decline, the primary endpoint, versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 4 years
- Dose
- 30 mg/kg
- Population
- Patients with retinitis pigmentosa
- Participants
- 33
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.