Spencer Thornton, M.D., says that nutriceuticals — nutritional supplements designed to meet the needs of specific degenerative problems — can help patients with macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. He notes that one study found that consumption of 6 mg of lutein per day lowered the risk of macular degeneration by 43% while another said that antioxidant nutriceuticals can help treat diabetic eye complications. Patients must be certain they are taking the right amounts of the right supplements, however, and Dr. Thornton urges more practitioners to learn about nutriceuticals so that they can counsel their patients.