Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) now published

The much anticipated results of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) have now been published.

AREDS2 is a multi-center, randomized trial designed to assess the effects of oral supplementation of macular xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) and/or long-chain omega-3 fatty acids on the progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  An additional goal of the study is to assess whether forms of the AREDS nutritional supplement with reduced zinc and/or no beta-carotene works as well as the original supplement in reducing the risk of progression to advanced AMD.

For a brief overview of the findings, which includes an audio version of the details for the visually-impaired, please see the National Eye Institute (NEI) press release.

A full text version of the report can be found through the Journal of the American Medical Association for those with institutional access: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1684847