575 Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements may be beneficial in age-related macular degeneration

April 23, 2018

written by Brian McAvoy

Clinical question

How effective are antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements (AVMS) on the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?

Bottom line

Taking antioxidant vitamins plus zinc probably slowed down the progression to late AMD and vision loss (moderate-certainty evidence). This might result in a small improvement in quality of life (low-certainty evidence).

Taking lutein alone (or combined with zeaxanthin) might have little or no effect on progression to late AMD and vision loss (low-certainty evidence).

Taking vitamin E alone might have little or no effect on the progression to late AMD and vision loss (low-certainty evidence).

Duration of supplementation and follow-up ranged from 9 months to 6 years.

Very low-certainty evidence was available on adverse effects because the included studies were underpowered and adverse effects inconsistently reported.

Caveat

These conclusions were largely drawn from a single large trial conducted in a relatively well-nourished US population.

The generalisability of these findings to other populations is not known. Although generally regarded as safe, vitamin supplements may have harmful effects.

Context

It has been proposed that antioxidants may prevent cellular damage in the retina by reacting with free radicals that are produced in the process of light absorption. Higher dietary levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals may reduce the risk of progression of AMD.

Cochrane Systematic Review

Evans JR and Lawrenson JG. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Reviews, 2017, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD000254.DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD000254.pub4. This review contains 19 studies involving 11,162 participants.

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.