Age-related Macular Degeneration Disease: Exciting Discovery

The clinical trial called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study
sponsored by the National Eye Institute found that high levels
of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of
advanced age-related macular degeneration. Advanced age-related
macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss. The
study involved 4,757 participants, 55-80 years of age in 11
clinical centers nationwide.

People at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD
received a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E,
beta-carotene, and zinc.

It was an exciting discovery for people at high risk for
developing advanced AMD. These nutrients are the first
discovered for effective treatment to slow the progression of
the disease. Treatment for advanced age-related macular
degeneration is very limited.

The nutrients studied delay the progression to “advanced”
age-related macular degeneration in people who are at high risk,
those with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or those with
advanced AMD in one eye already. AMD is a leading cause of
vision loss and blindness in Americans 65 years of age and
older.

The nutrients will not cure AMD or restore vision already lost
from the disease. They will play an important role in helping
people at high risk to not develop “advanced” AMD and keep their
vision.

Drusen is a common feature of age-related macular degeneration.
Drusen are yellow deposits under the retina found often in
people over age 60. A lot of people will have drusen during an
eye exam in which the pupils are dilated. Drusen alone does not
cause vision loss. It is the increase in the drusen size and/or
number that increases a person’s risk of developing advanced
age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular
degeneration can cause serious vision loss.

Studies previously suggested people who have diets rich in
green, leafy vegetables have a lower risk of developing
age-related macular degeneration. The high levels of nutrients
that were evaluated in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study are
extremely difficult to achieve from diet alone. There was also a
cataract portion of the study in which researchers found that
the same nutrients had no significant effect on the development
or progression of age-related cataract.

Taking large doses of antioxidant vitamins or zinc may not be
appropriate for all people with intermediate age-related macular
degeneration disease because of medical reasons. For example, if
you are a smoker, beta-carotene has been shown to increase the
risk of lung cancer. These groups of people will need to discuss
with their primary care doctor the best combination of nutrients
for them. It is also necessary to add appropriate amounts of
copper to the diet when using high levels of zinc to prevent
copper deficiency.

The participants reported minor side effects from the treatments
which included:

• Urinary tract problems that required hospitalization

• Anemia at a slightly higher rate, however, testing of all
patients for anemia showed no difference among treatment groups.


• Yellowing of the skin is a well-known side effect of large
doses of beta-carotene; this was reported slightly more often by
participants taking antioxidants.

The AREDS study is the first to demonstrate an adequate
treatment for people at high risk for developing advanced
age-related macular degeneration disease. The formula will help
to save the vision of many who otherwise would have serious
vision loss.

Source: The National Eye Institute, which is part of the
National Institutes of Health and is the Federal government’s
lead agency for vision research.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All
health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care
professional.