Supplements slow disease progression in late-stage dry AMD

A new study from the National Institutes of Health has found that antioxidant vitamins and minerals can slow the progression of late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a press release.

The analysis, based on retinal scans from the AREDS and AREDS2 studies, revealed that supplements reduced the expansion of geographic atrophy regions by about 55% over 3 years, particularly when the atrophy was far from the central vision area.

“We’ve known for a long time that AREDS2 supplements help slow the progression from intermediate to late AMD. Our analysis shows that taking AREDS2 supplements can also slow disease progression in people with late dry AMD,” said Tiarnan Keenan, MD, PhD, of NIH’s National Eye Institute (NEI) and lead author of the study. “These findings support the continued use of AREDS2 supplements by people with late dry AMD.”

More information can be found here.

Reference
Keenan TDL, Agrón E, Keane PA, et al. “Oral antioxidant and lutein/zeaxanthin supplements slow geographic atrophy progression to the fovea in age-related macular degeneration.” Ophthalmology. Epub July 16, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2024.07.014