A study using multimodal imaging reveals Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) vitamins have no significant effect on overall geographic atrophy (GA) growth. Additionally, the study, which appears in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, shows the ocular nutritional supplements (ONS) have no effect on GA progression toward the fovea.1
The study is significant because its findings contradict a recent reanalysis of the AREDS studies, which reveals the ONS slowed GA’s progression toward the fovea by 22 μm to 34 μm per year. The current study’s researchers say they think this previously reported benefit may have been an artifact of older measurement techniques, though differences in study populations and duration could also have played a role.
Something else to keep in mind: A recent independent analysis of AREDS supplements using data from 2 other clinical trials, CHROMA and SPECTRI, also shows the AREDS vitamins had no effect on GA.
Due to these findings, the researchers advise caution: “Until there's more data like from a prospective randomized clinical study, we don't know if antioxidants and macular pigments like lutein have beneficial effects on geographic atrophy," notes Rishi P. Singh, MD, incoming chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear and Mass General Brigham. OM
With reporting from Retinal Physician.
Reference
1. Goldberg RA, Saperstein D, Do DV, et al. Analysis of AREDS oral micronutrient supplementation on geographic atrophy growth: Insights from the OAKS and DERBY studies. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. June 2025.