Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2)
A nationwide study to determine whether a modified combination of vitamins and minerals can further slow the progression of vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in the United States for people over age 60.
AREDS2 is a multi-center randomized trial of approximately 4,200 participants designed to assess the effects of oral supplementation of high doses of macular xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) and omega-3 LCPUFAs (DHA and EPA) for the treatment of AMD and cataract. AREDS2 was designed to evaluate the effects of high supplemental doses of lutein and zeaxanthin and omega-3 LCPUFAs on the development of advanced AMD. The study enrolled participants aged 50 to 85 years, with sufficiently clear ocular media to allow accurate assessment of AMD from fundus photographs. Subjects were enrolled on the basis of the AREDS Simplified Severity Scale for defining risk categories for development of advanced age-related macular degeneration. All participants are offered additional treatment with the original AREDS formulation (now considered standard of care) and 3 variations of this formula. These are: (1) no beta-carotene; (2) lower amounts of zinc; and (3) no beta-carotene and lower amounts of zinc. Eligible participants are followed for a minimum of five years. 0
Purpose of the study:
To evaluate the effect of the two dietary xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) that accumulate in macula and two omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, on progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and/or moderate vision loss in people at moderate to high risk for progression. 0
To evaluate the effects of eliminating beta-carotene from the original AREDS formulation on the development and progression of AMD.
To evaluate the effects of reducing zinc in the original AREDS formulation on the development and progression of AMD.
To contribute data for validation of the photographic AMD scales developed from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study.
This study is still ongoing but is no longer taking new participants. Stay tuned for the result of the study.