AREDS2 supplements slow sight loss in late-stage dry AMD

New research has found that taking a daily vitamin and mineral supplement can slow the progression of geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Previously, these supplements, based on the AREDS2 formula, have only been recommended for those with earlier stages of AMD.

What are AREDS2 supplements?

As reported by Ophthalmology, the study, led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US, shows widely available AREDS2 supplements, containing vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and copper, could slow down the progression of sight loss in GA patients by 55% over an average of three years.

AREDS2 supplements take their name from two large clinical trials, AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) and AREDS2, carried out by the NIH National Eye Institute between 1992 and 2012.

What the research discovered

In the new analysis, researchers reviewed the retinal scans of 1,209 people who were part of the original study. They found AREDS2 supplements also appeared to slow the disease progression in people with the later stages of the disease. This effect was particularly noticeable when the area of damage, or GA, was located outside the central area of the macula, known as the fovea. Inside the fovea, there was less noticeable slowing of the disease.  

Since GA often starts outside the fovea, taking AREDS2 supplements early may help delay the progression into the fovea, where central vision loss occurs. In most people, GA begins outside the fovea, implying that if AREDS2 supplements are taken early enough they can delay the progression of GA into the fovea.

"Encouraging" results

Macular Society Head of research grants, Geraldine Hoad, said: "These findings are encouraging for people with GA. Until now AREDS2 supplements weren’t thought to be effective for those with late-stage dry AMD. By slowing vision loss, they could help people stay independent longer and improve their quality of life and we would welcome the results being confirmed in a clinical trial."

Lead author of the study, Tiarnan Keenan of the NIH National Eye Institute, said: “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. These findings support the continued use of AREDS2 supplements by people with late dry AMD.”

Co-author Pearse Keane, a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye hospital, said: "Although AREDS2 supplements are used widely in the UK, we don’t typically recommend them to patients who already have late AMD in both eyes. I think this paper will lead us to recommend their use more widely in people with late AMD. This is exciting because it is a cheap, safe, and well tolerated treatment.”