Age-related Eye Disease Study

investigate the natural history and Risk Factor s of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Cataract s, and

evaluate the effects of high doses of Antioxidant s and Zinc on the progression of the two conditions in those with AMD

The study of 3600 individuals for an average of 6.3 years concluded that high levels of antioxidants and zinc can reduce some people's risk of developing advanced AMD by about 25 percent. Those that benefited from the dietary supplements included those with intermediate-stage AMD and those with advanced AMD in one eye only. The supplements had no significant effect on the development or progression of cataracts. "High levels" in this case were defined to be:

500 Milligram s of Vitamin C ;

400 International Unit s of Vitamin E ;

15 milligrams of Beta-carotene (or 25,000 international units of Vitamin A );

80 milligrams of the Dietary Mineral zinc, in the form of Zinc Oxide ; and

two milligrams of Copper as Cupric Oxide , added to prevent copper deficiency Anemia , a condition associated with high levels of zinc intake.

The results were reported in the October 2001 issue of ''Archives of Ophthalmology''.

Bausch & Lomb was a collaborator in the study, and perhaps not coincidentally, provides vitamins pre-packaged with this formulation, as do other manufacturers.

EXTERNAL LINKS

NEI's website about the study

Summary of the study

Information About

Age-related Eye Disease Study