Vitamins for age-related macular degeneration demonstrate minimal differences.
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: CDE Clinical question Does taking ocular vitamins (including antioxidants and zinc) decrease the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? Bottom line Ocular vitamins only slow visual loss in AMD patients with intermediate and severe retinal findings (number needed to treat [NNT] = 13). Progression to advanced AMD is rare in patients with minimal AMD, and ocu-lar vitamins do not prevent AMD in those without AMD. Components of ocular vitamins are potentially harmful and should be used only in selected patients. Evidence The largest multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT of 4757 patients with AMD1 examined the effects of antioxidants (500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 15 mg of beta-carotene); zinc (80 mg of zinc oxide); and antioxidants in combination with zinc on AMD progression. • Mean age 69 years; 56 % females; 6.3 years follow-up. • Baseline retinal photography classified patients in cat-egories 1 (minimal) to 4 (advanced). Outcomes: • For 15-letter visual acuity loss:
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Institution: University of Alberta
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2168710693