Optical Prism October 2013 | Page 35

AREDS shows markedly reduced AMD progression N utritional supplements were associated with a reduced risk of progressive neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study; however, the supplements did not reduce the risk of geographic atrophy. HYPERLINK “http://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/search.aspx?q=AREDS& 4,757 patients; 3,549 patients took part in an epidemiologic follow-up study, which reported 10-year outcomes. The study featured a formulation comprising 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, 15 mg of beta-carotene, 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper. Patients participating in AREDS were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: placebo, zinc, antioxidants or antioxidants plus zinc. Patients were also assigned to one of four categories: category 1 (no AMD with small drusen); category 2 (early AMD with small or intermediate drusen, pigment abnormalities or a combination of both); category 3 (no advanced AMD but one or more large drusen, extensive area of intermediate drusen or geographic atrophy not involving the center of the macula); and category 4 (advanced AMD, central geographic atrophy or neovascular AMD in one eye). Patients assigned to the placebo group in categories 3 and 4 had a significantly higher risk of developing advanced AMD or neovascular AMD than those assigned to the AREDS formulation (P < .001). The risk of developing central geographic atrophy was not reduced significantly. Moderate vision loss was reduced significantly (P = .002). advertiser index Acuvue 39 (IBC) BC College 18 Centennial Optical 25 COS Adidas 12 COS Lab Essilor Eye Plus Hoya Lens Canada, Inc. Match Canada 30 15, 29, 40 (OBC) 34 19 2 (IFC) Menicon 13 Optic Plastic 35 Optical Group 21 Rodenstock Shilling Optical Spectacle Eyeworks Transitions Optical WestGroupe 4 20 24 31, 36 5, 7 OPTICAL PRISM | OCTOBER 2013 35