Nutritional supplementation and age-related macular degeneration

Joshua H. Olson, Jay C. Erie, Sophie J. Bakri

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The prevalence of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is increasing as the population of elderly in the United States grows. Currently the pathogenesis is not fully understood, however oxidative injury is felt to play a significant role. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) established that a supplemental combination of dietary antioxidants of zinc, β-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E slowed progression of AMD. Recently lutein, zeaxanthin, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids have also been reported to decrease AMD progression, while vitamin E and β-carotene where found to increase the risk of late AMD. AREDS2 is currently underway, further examining the effects of omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, and the original AREDS formulation. While awaiting the results of AREDS2, it is important to understand the evidence currently available, so that physicians can safely advise patients today. This review examines the most current literature available exploring nutritional supplementation in age-related macular degeneration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)131-136
Number of pages6
JournalSeminars in Ophthalmology
Volume26
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was made possible in part by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), Inc., New York, NY. Address Correspondence to Sophie J Bakri, MD, Mayo Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. E-mail: bakri.sophie@mayo.edu

Funding Information:
This manuscript was supported by Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, NY.

Copyright:
Copyright 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • AREDS
  • Age-related
  • Carotenoids
  • Docosahexaenoic acid
  • Drusen
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid
  • Eye
  • Macula
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Nutrition
  • Omega-3
  • Retina
  • Vitamin
  • Zinc

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