title: Do nutritional supplements have a role in age macular degeneration prevention?
abstract: Purpose. To review the proposed pathogenic mechanisms of age macular degeneration (AMD), as well as the role of antioxidants (AOX) and omega-3 fatty acids ( ω -3) supplements in AMD prevention. Materials and Methods. Current knowledge on the cellular/molecular mechanisms of AMD and the epidemiologic/experimental studies on the effects of AOX and ω -3 were addressed all together with the scientific evidence and the personal opinion of professionals involved in the Retina Group of the OFTARED (Spain). Results. High dietary intakes of ω -3 and macular pigments lutein/zeaxanthin are associated with lower risk of prevalence and incidence in AMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease study (AREDS) showed a beneficial effect of high doses of vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, and zinc/copper in reducing the rate of progression to advanced AMD in patients with intermediate AMD or with one-sided late AMD. The AREDS-2 study has shown that lutein and zeaxanthin may substitute beta-carotene because of its potential relationship with increased lung cancer incidence. Conclusion. Research has proved that elder people with poor diets, especially with low AOX and ω -3 micronutrients intake and subsequently having low plasmatic levels, are more prone to developing AMD. Micronutrient supplementation enhances antioxidant defense and healthy eyes and might prevent/retard/modify AMD.
authors.affiliation: University of Valencia, Spain ; The Ophthalmic Research Unit "Santiago Grisolía", Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pinazo-Durán
authors.affiliation: University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain ; The Institute Gomez-Ulla, Santiago de Compostela, Spain ; Foundation RetinaPlus, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gómez-Ulla
authors.affiliation: University of Barcelona, Spain ; Retina Section, Department of Ophthalmology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.affiliation: Vitreous and Retina Department, UPV/EHU and Instituto Clínico Quirúrgico de Oftalmología (ICQO), University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Araiz
authors.affiliation: Clinic Institute of Ophthalmology, Clinic Hospital of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casaroli-Marano
authors.affiliation: Macula Section, Department of Ophthalmology, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gallego-Pinazo
authors.affiliation: University of Murcia, General University Hospital Reina Sofia, Murcia, Spain ; Ophthalmic Reseach Unit "Santiago Grisolia", Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: García-Medina
authors.affiliation: The University of Valladolid, Diabetes and Telemedicine Unit at the IOBA, Spain ; The Retina Unit of the Clinic University Hospital of Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: López-Gálvez
authors.affiliation: The University of Valladolid, Spain ; The Vitreo-Retina Unit of the Clinic University Hospital of Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manzanas
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of the Hospital of Vall Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salas
authors.affiliation: Retina Section of the Hospital of Vall Hebron, The Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zapata
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain ; University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diaz-Llopis
authors.affiliation: University of Navarra Clinic, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Layana