Genetic Testing in Persons with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and the Use of the AREDS Supplements: To Test or Not to Test?

Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2015
Authors
Chew, EY; Klein, ML; Clemons, TE; Agron, E; Abecasis, GR
Secondary
Ophthalmology
Volume
122
Start Page
212
Pagination
212-215
Date Published
01/2015
Keywords
Antioxidants; Complement Factor H-human; Complement Factor H/genetics; Dietary Supplements; Genetic Testing; Genotype; Macular Degeneration; Polymorphism-Single Nucleotide; Proteins; Zinc Compounds
Abstract
The controversy surrounding the use of genetic testing to guide the treatment of persons with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues. In 2001, the results of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a placebo-controlled trial, demonstrated that oral supplementation with a combination of antioxidant vitamins and zinc reduced the risk of progression to late AMD by 25% in persons with intermediate AMD in ≥1 eye.1 Klein et al2 evaluated the influence of the genotypes complement factor H (CFH) (Y402H, rs1061170) and LOC387715/age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) (A69S, rs10490924) on the response to treatment with AREDS supplements (combination of antioxidants and zinc), zinc alone, or antioxidants alone in 876 AREDS participants who had available DNA and who were at high risk of developing advanced AMD.
URL
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25456150