FAQ

Who should take MacuSave?

If you are at high risk for developing advanced AMD, you should consider taking MacuSave. MacuSave is formulated to contain vitamins and minerals studied and recommended by AREDS with the addition of other protective effects of Lutein and Zeaxanthin.  Your eye care professional can tell you if you have Macular Degeneration and if you are at risk of developing the advanced form of this disease. Treatment of at-risk patients with the AREDS formulation such as MacuSave is now considered standard of care. It is important to talk with your doctor before taking these high levels of vitamins and minerals.


How to order MacuSave?

Either online or by Calling (855) AMD-HELP

Where are MacuSave products made?

MacuSave Products are made in facilities in Santa Fe Springs, California. All facilities have been certified with “A” ratings under the NPA (formerly NNFA) Good Manufacturing Practices (NPA GMP) program since 2001, the NSF GMP Registration since 2004 and is ISO 9001:2008 registered as part of the NSF GMP 9000 program since 2006. We are also CCOF and QAI Organic, and ISNA Halal certified. The NPA GMP and NSF GMP programs require an independent audit of our facilities, procedures, training, sanitation, and personnel. NPA and NSF GMP requirements are regulatory requirements that provide guidelines for necessary processes, procedures, and documentation to assure the product produced has the identity, strength, composition, quality, and purity it is represented to possess. State-of-the-art packaging and laboratory facilities are also registered with US Food & Drug Administration as a drug establishments, licensed to process ethical and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products.

What is “AREDS?

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) is a major clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI), one of the federal government's National Institutes of Health (NIH). This study had two objectives. One, to learn more about the natural history and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Secondly, to evaluate the effect of high doses of antioxidants and zinc (such as MacuSave) on the progression of AMD and cataracts. Results from the AREDS showed that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss. This finding is of great public health importance, since the incidence of AMD is expected to triple by the year 2025. Treatment of at-risk patients with the AREDS formulation such as MacuSave is now considered standard of care.

AREDS Research Group. Associations of mortality with ocular disorders and an intervention of high-dose antioxidants and zinc in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. AREDS Report No. 13. Arch Ophthalmol 122:716-726, 2004.

What is “AREDS-2”?

Researchers with the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) reported in 2001 that a nutritional supplement called the AREDS formulation can reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The original AREDS formulation contains vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper.

In 2006, the same research group, which is based at NIH's National Eye Institute, began a second study called AREDS2 to determine if they could improve the AREDS formulation. They tried adding omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are in the same family of nutrients as beta-carotene. The researchers also tried substituting lutein and zeaxanthin for beta-carotene, which prior studies had associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. The study found that while omega-3 fatty acids had no effect on the formulation, lutein and zeaxanthin together appeared to be a safe and effective alternative to beta-carotene.

Are There Any Side Effects from the AREDS Formulation?

There are reported minor side effects from the treatments with Antioxidants and Zinc formulas such as MacuSave. Yellowing of the skin, a well-known side effect of large doses of beta-carotene has been reported slightly more often by participants taking antioxidants. You need to consult with your doctor for possible interactions with other medications you are taking.

Can a Daily Multivitamin Alone Provide the Same High Levels of Antioxidants and Zinc as MacuSave?

No. MacuSave levels of antioxidants and zinc are considerably higher than the amounts in any daily multivitamin. These levels are based on recommendations by AREDS formulations.

Can Diet Alone Provide the Same High Levels of Antioxidants and Zinc as MacuSave?

No. Elevated levels of vitamins and minerals are difficult to achieve from diet alone. However, based on studies it is always recommended that patients who have been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration have diets rich in green, leafy vegetables so that they have a lower risk of progression of AMD.


Am I at an Increased Risk of Lung Cancer by Taking High Doses of Beta-Carotene?

Large clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute demonstrated that beta-carotene increases the risk of lung cancer in current smokers. In these trials, most of these smokers were heavy smokers. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that beta-carotene may also slightly increase their risk of cancer, at least for a period of several years. MacuSave is conveniently available in the formulation without the Beta-Carotene for former or current smokers. In deciding whether to include beta-carotene in your formulation, it is (we) highly advise you and your doctor to balance the apparent increase in the risk of lung cancer associated with beta-carotene with the risk of Macular Degeneration progression.

What About Lutein and Zeaxanthin?

Lutein is a carotenoid found in dark leafy green vegetables. Carotenoids are concentrated in the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. Studies suggest that Lutein plays an essential role in maintaining healthy central vision by protecting against free radical damage and filtering blue light.

Why MacuSave through Foundation for Saving Sight?

• MacuSave is a proven safe formula you can trust made in the USA in an FDA compliant facility
• Foundation for Saving Sight provides convenient and free home delivery
• MacuSave is easy-to-swallow with just 2 capsules daily
• Highly soluble with easy digestion
• Your support for the Foundation for Saving Sight will help in research and finding future cures for blinding diseases such as Macular Degeneration

What is our return/cancellation policy?

Foundation for Saving Sight will gladly exchange or refund any unopened bottles within 14 days of purchase. Due to health and safety reasons, we cannot issue refunds on opened bottles. Please note refunds may be subject to a shipping and handling fee. If you no longer wish to continue with our automatic refill program, you can simply log into your account and change that option.

Where are we located?

23101 Sherman Place#101
West Hills, CA 91307
USA

Why Products Through Foundation for Saving Sight?

The Foundation will regularly analyze the emerging research on nutrition’s role in eye health and swiftly update its formulations when warranted by emerging science. All of the products through the Foundation for Saving Sight are made in the USA in an FDA-certified compounding facility where products are compounded with the same strict laws and protocols that cover prescription medications. FSS is committed to making available products that you can purchase with the utmost confidence.

How safe are my bank information and credit card number?

Like most companies doing business on the Web, we receive a lot of questions about the security of sending credit card numbers and other sensitive information over the Internet. The perception exists that this data might somehow be intercepted by hackers and then used to run up large bills, or even worse. But because of the extremely sophisticated nature of the technology involved, making a purchase on the Web is probably SAFER than doing it through any other medium.

How is my credit card information used?

At Foundation for Saving Sight, your credit card information is stored in a secure database with restricted access. Once you have entered your credit card information, it will not be visible to you or to our sales or customer service representatives. For security purposes, only the first four and last four digits will appear.

Keep in mind that any individual that has access to your account will be able to use your stored credit card for purchases on Foundation for Saving Sight for you. Your credit card number will not be visible on the site, but orders can be placed. Make sure to protect your username and password and sign off when you finish using a shared computer.