Case #69: LifeMeter in Clinical Practice and the value of carotenoid testing in AMD – Page 14 of 28

Carotenoids in the management of AMD:

What does AREDS say?

The primary analysis from the AREDS2 trial suggested that xanthophyll (lutein, zeaxanthin) supplementation provided no further benefit regarding the rate of AMD progression compared with the original AREDS formula (beta-carotene).¹⁹

However secondary analysis showed^18,20:

• The progression of dry AMD to advanced AMD was 31% lower in the AREDS + lutein/zeaxanthin compared to placebo
• This correlated with increased serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations of 190-210% in the first to fifth year of the study compared with the placebo group, where they remained unchanged
• Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation significantly improved protection against late AMD, and particularly neovascular AMD, compared to AREDS 1 formula.