Beta carotene does not seem to stave off eye disease in men
"Because no one knows just what causes the blurring of central vision that people older than 60 often develop, it's uncertain how to prevent the disease, known as age-related macular degeneration. Might this condition be prevented by taking supplements of beta carotene ? an antioxidant present in carrots, which many mothers have urged their children to eat to help their eyesight? "
"It randomly assigned 22,071 healthy men 40 and older to take beta carotene supplements (50 milligrams) or a placebo every other day. After an average of 12 years, 549 of the men had developed age-related macular degeneration. About 60 percent of this group had significant vision loss associated with the disease; nearly a fourth of them had advanced cases. But there was virtually no difference between the groups: 275 men who took beta carotene and 274 who did not developed age-related macular degeneration, and results were similar for those with significant vision loss and advanced disease. No harmful effects were reported from the beta carotene. "