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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness amongst people 65 years or older. Researchers concluded that patients with extensive or advanced AMD should consider taking zinc and antioxidants in the dosages used in the study.

The study involved 3640 participants between the ages of 55 to 80 years. They had a thorough eye examination which divided them into four groups. The participants were then randomized to receive daily oral supplements as follows:

A. 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, and 15 mg beta-carotene

B. 80 mg zinc (as zinc oxide) plus 2 mg copper (as cupric oxide)

C. A + B

D. Placebo

The progression towards AMD was measured at six-month intervals for an average of 6.3 years. At the end of the trial the researchers observed that daily supplementation with antioxidants and zinc (A + B) reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD by 25 per cent in groups 3 and 4.

The incidence of progression to advanced AMD in groups 1 and 2 was so low, even with placebo treatment, that no benefit of supplementation was observed. The researchers also found no indication of serious adverse effects from the treatment, but warn that smokers may wish to avoid beta-carotene.

Researchers at the National Eye Institute now report that supplementation with zinc and antioxidants can markedly retard the progression from the presence of extensive drusen to full-blown AMD, according to the Archives of Ophthalmology (Vol. 119, October 2001, pp. 1417-36, 1533-34).