09.27.07
Indication: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Source: Arch Ophthalmol, September 2007;125:1225-1232.
Research: Investigators set out to evaluate the relationship between dietary carotenoids, vitamins A and C, and alpha-tocopherol and AMD in the age-related eye disease study (AREDS). At enrollment, the 4519 participants were between the ages of 60 and 80. Stereoscopic color fundus photographs were used to categorize participants into four AMD severity groups and a control group (participants with < 15 small drusen). Nutrient intake was estimated from a self-administered semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire at enrollment. Intake values were energy adjusted and classified by quintiles. The relationship between diet and AMD status was assessed using logistic regression analyses.
Results: Dietary lutein/zeaxanthin intake was inversely associated with neovascular AMD, geographic atrophy, and large or extensive intermediate drusen, when comparing the highest vs. the lowest quintiles of intake, after adjustment for total energy intake and non-nutrient-based covariates. However, other nutrients were not independently related to AMD.