To evaluate the effect of the two dietary xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) that accumulate in macula and two omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, on progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and/or moderate vision loss in people at moderate to high risk for progression.
To evaluate the effects of eliminating beta-carotene from the original AREDS formulation on the development and progression of AMD.
To evaluate the effects of reducing zinc in the original AREDS formulation on the development and progression of AMD.
To contribute data for validation of the photographic AMD scales developed from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study.
Primary Outcome Measures:
- Progression to advanced AMD in people at moderate to high risk for progression. [ Time Frame: 5 years of follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- Progression to moderate vision loss [ Time Frame: 5 years of follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Adverse Events [ Time Frame: 5 years of follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
- Progression of lens opacity or incidence of cataract surgery [ Time Frame: 5 years of follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Effect of study supplements on cognitive function [ Time Frame: 5 years of follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Effect of DHA/EPA on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality [ Time Frame: 5 years of follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
| Estimated Enrollment: |
4000 |
| Study Start Date: |
September 2006 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date: |
June 2013 |
| Estimated Primary Completion Date: |
June 2013 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
|
1: Placebo Comparator
Progression to Advanced AMD for lutein/zeaxanthin alone versus placebo
|
Dietary Supplement: Lutein/zeaxanthin
10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin (1 tablet) Placebo-DHA/EPA (2 soft-gel capsules)
|
|
2: Placebo Comparator
Progression to Advanced AMD for DHA/EPA alone versus placebo
|
Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
Placebo-lutein/zeaxanthin (1 tablet) 350 mg DHA and 650 mg EPA (2 soft-gel capsules)
|
|
3: Placebo Comparator
Progression to Advanced AMD for lutein/zeaxanthin and DHA/EPA versus placebo
|
Drug: Lutein/zeaxanthin and Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin (1 tablet) 350 mg DHA and 650 mg EPA (2 soft-gel capsules)
|
AREDS2 is a multi-center randomized trial of 4,000 participants designed to assess the effects of oral supplementation of high doses of macular xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) and omega-3 LCPUFAs (DHA and EPA) for the treatment of AMD and cataract. AREDS2 was designed to evaluate the effects of high supplemental doses of lutein and zeaxanthin and omega-3 LCPUFAs on the development of advanced AMD. The study will enroll participants aged 50 to 85 years, with sufficiently clear ocular media to allow accurate assessment of AMD from fundus photographs. Subjects will be enrolled on the basis of the AREDS Simplified Severity Scale for defining risk categories for development of advanced age-related macular degeneration. All participants will be offered additional treatment with the original AREDS formulation (now considered standard of care) and 3 variations of this formula. These are: (1) no beta-carotene; (2) lower amounts of zinc; and (3) no beta-carotene and lower amounts of zinc. Eligible participants will be followed for a minimum of five years.
Purpose
