Oral supplementation with the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formulation (antioxidant
vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc) has been shown to reduce the risk of progression
to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Observational data suggest that increased
dietary intake of lutein + zeaxanthin (carotenoids), omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty
acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] + eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]), or both might further
reduce this risk. AREDS2 was designed to test whether adding lutein + zeaxanthin, DHA + EPA,
or lutein + zeaxanthin and DHA + EPA to the AREDS formulation might further reduce the risk
of progression to advanced AMD. A secondary goal was to test the effects of eliminating beta
carotene and reducing zinc dose in the AREDS formulation.
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Collaborators:
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)