Vitamin usage patterns in the prevention of advanced age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To describe micronutrient usage patterns among patients at a tertiary ophthalmic center.


METHODS
Cross-sectional clinical case series.


METHODS
Three hundred thirty-two adult patients with a diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Participants were surveyed about micronutrient usage patterns. The treating ophthalmologist recorded AMD severity using the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) classification system.


METHODS
Responses to study questionnaire and level of AMD severity.


RESULTS
Among 332 participants, 309 (93%) were using supplements, among which 174 (52%) supplemented with an AREDS-like formulation. Of these 174, 140 (80%) were considered AREDS supplement candidates based on study guidelines. Applying AREDS supplementation guidelines to the full cohort, 228 (69%) were candidates for supplementation. Only 140 (61%) of these individuals were confirmed to be using the correct formulation and dosage; an additional 13 (6%) used the AREDS formulation but were not using the recommended dosage.


CONCLUSIONS
Among patients receiving care for AMD at a tertiary retinal center, more than one third of those deemed candidates for AREDS-type supplements were not using them or were using an incorrect dose. Furthermore, nearly one fifth of participants who were using high-dose supplements did not have a level of AMD anticipated to benefit from usage. Increased patient education is needed regarding the recommendations of AREDS.
Charkoudian
Leon D
LD
Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Gower
Emily W
EW
Solomon
Sharon D
SD
Schachat
Andrew P
AP
Bressler
Neil M
NM
Bressler
Susan B
SB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014815:Vitamins