title: Nutritional supplements in age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of blindness in the Western World. While with new therapies that are directed towards vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potentially efficient treatment option for the wet form of the disease has been introduced, a therapeutic regimen for dry AMD is still lacking. There is evidence from several studies that oral intake of supplements is beneficial in preventing progression of the disease. Several formulations of micronutrients are currently available. The present review focuses on the role of supplements in the treatment and prevention of AMD and sums up the current knowledge about the most frequently used micronutrients. In addition, regulatory issues are discussed, and future directions for the role of supplementation in AMD are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmidl
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garhöfer
authors.forename: Leopold
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schmetterer
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D018450:Disease Progression; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D065146:Zeaxanthins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D014815:Vitamins; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D014975:Lutein
keywords: Age-Related Eye Disease Study; age-related macular degeneration; lutein; reactive oxygen intermediates; supplementation; vitamins; zeaxanthin; zinc