Vitamin E supplementation and macular degeneration: randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether vitamin E supplementation influences the incidence or rate of progression of age related maculopathy (AMD).


METHODS
Prospective randomised placebo controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
An urban study centre in a residential area supervised by university research staff.


METHODS
1193 healthy volunteers aged between 55 and 80 years; 73% completed the trial on full protocol.


METHODS
Vitamin E 500 IU or placebo daily for four years.


METHODS



METHODS
development of early age related macular degeneration in retinal photographs. Other measures included alternative definitions of age related macular degeneration, progression, changes in component features, visual acuity, and visual function


RESULTS
The incidence of early age related macular degeneration (early AMD 3) was 8.6% in those receiving vitamin E versus 8.1% in those on placebo (relative risk 1.05, 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 1.61). For late disease the incidence was 0.8% versus 0.6% (1.36, 0.67 to 2.77). Further analysis showed no consistent differences in secondary outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Daily supplement with vitamin E supplement does not prevent the development or progression of early or later stages of age related macular degeneration.
Taylor
Hugh R
HR
Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Locked Bag 8, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8002. h.taylor@unimelb.edu.au
Tikellis
Gabriella
G
Robman
Luba D
LD
McCarty
Catherine A
CA
McNeil
John J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E