title: Age-related macular degeneration and nutritional supplementation: a review of randomised controlled trials.
abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in the developed world. The lack of effective treatment modalities, coupled with evidence supporting an oxidative pathogenesis, has increased interest in the potential preventative role of nutritional supplementation. This article reviews seven randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that have investigated the role of nutritional supplementation in AMD. Three of these trials reported a positive effect of nutritional supplementation on AMD; the Age-related eye study (AREDS), the Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial (LAST), and the oral zinc trial by Newsome et al. (1988). However, the oral zinc trial by Newsome et al. (1988) was unlikely to detect any difference between treatments smaller than 72%, and the AREDS results were based on a subgroup of their study population. Lutein was considered for the AREDS formulation, but was not commercially available at that time. The findings of the LAST support a possible therapeutic role of lutein in AMD.
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences Research Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK. bartlehe@aston.ac.uk
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eperjesi
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D009756:Nylidrin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D014815:Vitamins; C102827:alpha tocopherol, ascorbic acid, betacarotene, buphenine hydrochloride drug combination; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D009756:Nylidrin; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D014975:Lutein