What does AREDS mean?
Patients and their doctors have often wondered if taking vitamin supplements could help prevent or minimize the effects of various diseases. Many small studies have suggested a link between vitamin supplementation and the prevention of certain eye diseases such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Unfortunately, many of these studies were not complete enough to answer some important questions. Recently, the National Institute of Health completed a major study to address this question with regard to ARMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) followed 3,600 patients at 11 centers around the country over five years with various degrees of AMD. Overall, the study found that patients who are at higher risk for advanced AMD (loss of central vision) could decrease this risk by about 25% by taking certain anti-oxidant and zinc supplementation. Moreover, the safety of these supplements was carefully followed. These vitamins have become known as the “AREDS Formulation”.
