The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) enrolled more than 4,700 people through 11 clinical sites across the United States. AREDS was funded by the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals produced the formulations for the supplements used in these studies.
AREDS was designed to learn about macular degeneration and cataract, two leading causes of vision loss in older adults. The study looked at risk factors for these diseases, how they naturally progress, and whether certain nutritional vitamin and mineral supplements could help to prevent or slow these diseases.
AREDS demonstrated beneficial effects of oral supplementation with antioxidant vitamins and minerals on the development of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in persons with at least intermediate AMD (bilateral large drusen with or without pigment changes). Observational data suggest that other oral nutrient supplements might further reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD.
Additional details about the study design, supplements, and results of the clinical trial are available here: https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2.
Organization and Contact Information
Matthew W. Mitchell, P.h.D - Principal Investigator
email: [email protected]
phone: 856-412-6999
Emily Y. Chew, M.D.
Senior Investigator
NEI, NIH
Abby Amberson - Project Manager
email: [email protected]
phone: 856-966-5062
Thomas Cutts - Project Manager
email: [email protected]
phone: 856-408-3781
General inquiries
email: [email protected]
phone: 856-757-3805
