Prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration: an update for pharmacists.
OBJECTIVE
Review the current recommendations for the prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Articles indexed in PubMed (National Library of Medicine), the Cochrane Reviews and Trials, Dynamed, and Iowa Drug Information Service (IDIS) in the last 10 years using the key words macular degeneration, agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), AMD and treatment, AMD and prevention.


METHODS
Sixty-nine published papers were reviewed, and criteria supporting the primary objective were used to identify useful resources.


RESULTS
The literature included practice guidelines, original research articles, review articles, product prescribing information, and supplement product information for the prevention and treatment of AMD.


CONCLUSIONS
AMD is a leading cause of visual impairment in older adults. At present there is no cure for advanced AMD, but intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors minimize and even reverse vision loss in patients with AMD of the neovascular type. In the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), participants with intermediate AMD who received a supplement combination of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc had a greater delay in progression to advanced AMD than those participants who received a portion of these supplements. In the second AREDS, AREDS2, the addition of lutein + zeaxanthin, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or lutein + zeaxanthin and DHA + EPA to the complete AREDS formulation did not further reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD. Subgroup analyses indicated that additional research with lutein + zeaxanthin supplementation is warranted as it was beneficial in participants with low dietary intake of lutein + zeaxanthin. A formulation without beta-carotene may be best for most patients, especially smokers or former smokers. Health care professionals will want to consider patient-specific information before recommending ocular health supplements.
Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, Georgia.
Leisa L
LL
Marshall
J Michael
JM
Roach
D000367:Age Factors; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D057135:Wet Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
AMD = Age-related macular degeneration; AREDS = Age-Related Eye Disease Study; AREDS2 = Age- Related Eye Disease Study2; Age-Related Eye Disease Study; Age-related macular degeneration; CATT = Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Trials; DHA = Docosahexaenoic acid; EPA = Eicosapentaenoic acid; Ocular supplements; RPE = Retinal pigment epithelium; VEGF = Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vitamin supplements