Dietary Supplements and "Lifestyle"

Currently, for non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), therapy is not possible-in contrast to the exudative form. Many patients hope for a preventive effect and a slower progression of the disease from the dietary supplements on the market. The substances contained in them are supposed to reduce the oxidative environment in the outer retina and, thereby, slow down the cell damage and the progression of AMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS) examined certain supplements for their effectiveness in reducing the risk of AMD progression. They are the only interventional large-scale, prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trials and are repeatedly used as the basis for dietary supplementation in AMD. This article discusses the rationale for the use of certain ingredients of AREDS supplements and critically examines the results of AREDS. Furthermore, the modern term "lifestyle" will be discussed in the context of AMD as a possibility to influence the progression of this disease.