title: NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the rate of adherence to prescribed nutritional supplementation in patients affected by age-related macular degeneration, in an Italian tertiary referral tertiary center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with age-related macular degeneration, age-related eye disease study Categories 3 and 4, were recruited and underwent an 11-item questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included a total of 193 patients meeting the age-related eye disease study nutritional supplementation criteria (174 patients with age-related eye disease study Category 4 and 19 with Category 3). Seventy-seven (40%) were taking oral supplementation, 70 of whom (90%) 1 tablet/day. Oral supplementation was recommended by the personal ophthalmologist in 85 patients (44%), including all those currently receiving it. Eight patients of 85 (9.4%) rejected supplementation despite it being recommended, mostly because they were already taking other medicines. Ninety-four patients (48%) claimed they had not received any information from their ophthalmologist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data reveal that Italian patients with age-related eye disease study Categories 3 and 4 have a low adherence to nutritional supplementation. In 65% of cases, patients were not adequately informed by their ophthalmologist of the potential benefits of oral supplementation for age-related macular degeneration; indeed, 108 patients (56%) were not even aware such nutritional treatments are available. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the importance of giving advice to persons with age-related macular degeneration regarding the benefits of oral supplements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio Battaglia
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zucchiatti
authors.forename: Maria Vittoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Cicinelli
authors.forename: Maria Lucia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cascavilla
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bandello
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D018450:Disease Progression; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014815:Vitamins; D019207:beta Carotene; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid