Supplements and age-related eye conditions the beaver dam eye study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of use of vitamin, mineral, and nonvitamin nonmineral supplements with common age-related eye diseases.


METHODS
Population-based prospective study with incidence data.


METHODS
Subjects were participants in the Beaver Dam Eye Study who contributed data in 1988 to 1990 (n = 4926), 1993 to 1995 (n = 3722), 1998 to 2000 (n = 2962), and 2003 to 2005 (n = 2375).


METHODS
Use of all medications and supplements were collected from study participants at each of 4 examinations. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and fundus and lens photography were done at each visit. Visual field data are available only from baseline. Photographs of the lenses, retina, and discs were graded using standard protocols by trained graders.


METHODS
Incidence of age-related cataracts, macular degeneration (AMD), and high IOP for one set of analyses and incidence of supplement use for the second set of analyses.


RESULTS
There was little evidence of any significant associations between supplement use and incident ocular outcomes except for a small protective effect for cortical cataracts by vitamins A and D, zinc, and multivitamins and increased odds of late AMD. Late AMD was associated with incident use of vitamins A, C, and E and zinc.


CONCLUSIONS
Age-related macular degeneration seems to precede use of vitamins A, C, and E and zinc. This may reflect advice by family, friends, and health care providers about the benefits of Age-Related Eye Disease Study-like supplements.
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA. kleinb@epi.ophth.wisc.edu
Knudtson
Michael D
MD
Lee
Kristine E
KE
Reinke
Jennifer O
JO
Danforth
Lorraine G
LG
Wealti
Angela M
AM
Moore
Emily
E
Klein
Ronald
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010781:Photography; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D028321:Plant Preparations; D014131:Trace Elements; D014815:Vitamins