Summary Results And Recommendations From The Age-Related Eye Disease Study

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, accounting for more than 50% of all cases.1 The number of individuals affected is estimated to double by the year 2030 owing to the increasing longevity of the aging population.2 Any therapy that reduces the risk of developing advanced AMD plays an important role in decreasing the burden of this blinding disease on the affected individuals, their families, and society in general. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was designed as both a study of the clinical course of AMD and lens opacities as well as a randomized controlled trial of high-dose antioxidants and zinc to reduce progression of these diseases. The results of AREDS revealed a statistically significant benefit of the combination of high-dose antioxidant vitamins and zinc, providing a moderate reduction (34%) of the risk of developing advanced AMD over a median of 6.3 years of follow-up in persons at high risk of developing advanced AMD.3