|
|
|
Results
from the AREDS Study (Age-Related
Eye Disease Study) were released in October 2001.
The study was a major clinical trial sponsored
by the National Eye Institute. For those with
intermediate AMD, high levels of antioxidants
and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced
age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and also
reduce the risk of vision loss caused by AMD.
Researchers
found the following
- The
supplements benefited patients with both the
wet and dry forms of advanced AMD.
- The
supplements did not provide any apparent benefit
for those with either early AMD or no AMD.
- The
supplements provided the greatest benefit to
patients with intermediate or advanced AMD.
Intermediate AMD is defined as a patient with
many medium-sized druses or one large drusen,
but no significant vision loss. Drusen are small
yellow-white deposits within the tissue of the
retina. Advanced AMD is defined as a patient
with drusen present, and there is either: 1)
a breakdown of light-sensitive cells and supporting
tissue in the central retinal area (advanced
dry from) or 2) abnormal and fragile blood vessels
under the retina that can leak fluid or bleed
(advanced wet form).
- Previous
studies suggested that people with diets rich
in green, lefty vegetables have a lower risk
for developing AMD. However, the high levels
of nutritional supplements that were evaluated
in this study are difficult to achieve from
diet alone.
- The
group taking the “antioxidants alone supplements”
reduced the risk for developing advanced AMD
by about 17% and vision loss by about 10%.
- The
group taking the “zinc alone supplements”
reduced the risk for developing advanced AMD
by about 21% and vision loss by about 11%.
- The
group taking the “antioxidants plus zinc
supplements” reduced the risk for developing
advanced AMD by about 25% and reduced the risk
of vision loss by about 19%.
- The
same supplements had no significant effect on
the development or progression of cataracts.
|
|
