Blog Archives

AREDS stands for "Age-Related Eye Disease Study." It is a landmark clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at investigating the effects of nutritional supplements on the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in older adults. The AREDS study, conducted between 1992 and 2001, involved over 4,700 participants aged 55 to 80 years with varying stages of AMD, including early-stage AMD, intermediate AMD, and advanced AMD with or without vision loss. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a specific combination of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper, in reducing the risk of progression to advanced AMD and vision loss. The study found that the AREDS formulation, consisting of high doses of antioxidants and zinc, significantly reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD by about 25% over a five-year period compared to a placebo. These findings led to the development of the AREDS dietary supplement, which is now widely recommended for individuals at high risk of AMD progression as a preventive measure to preserve vision and slow the advancement of the disease. The AREDS study has had a significant impact on clinical practice and public health, providing evidence-based guidelines for the management and treatment of AMD and contributing to efforts to reduce the burden of vision impairment and blindness associated with this debilitating eye condition.