Reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration progression - five-year follow-up study in Ukraine and Moldova

This open prospective study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of progression of early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) against the background of continuous use of the nutraceutical formula AREDS2, which includes omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), vitamin D, resveratrol, and photobiomodulation (PBM), over a 5-year follow-up in patients from Ukraine and Moldova. Examining 126,400 patients, 163 patients (304 eyes) with early and intermediate stages of AMD were treated (5-year follow-up). Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in the 1st group (149 eyes) were prescribed a nutraceutical formula based on AREDS2 with omega-3 PUFAs, vitamin D, and resveratrol (Nutrof®Forte 1 capsule once a day continuously). The second group (155 eyes) included patients who irregularly took various vitamin-antioxidant complexes. All patients underwent PBM every 6 months. The five-year prevalence of early and intermediate AMD was estimated using data from leading ophthalmological centers in Ukraine (Odesa - 7.1%, Kharkiv - 6.6%) and Moldova (6.3%). AMD progression in the multivariate Cox regression model over five years showed a 3.24-fold reduction in relative risk (95% CI: 2.15-4.79, p=0.000) for patients with early and intermediate AMD who regularly took the recommended nutraceutical (compared to those who irregularly took various vitamin-antioxidant complexes). Patients with early and intermediate AMD are recommended to undergo courses of PBM every six months. Additionally, it is crucial to address cardiovascular issues and consistently use the AREDS2 nutraceutical formula. Adherence to these recommendations can reduce the likelihood of disease progression by at least 3.24 times over the next 5 years.