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Clinical Trial
. 2002 Jul 6;325(7354):11.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.325.7354.11.

Vitamin E supplementation and macular degeneration: randomised controlled trial

Hugh R Taylor  1 , Gabriella Tikellis, Luba D Robman, Catherine A McCarty, John J McNeil
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Vitamin E supplementation and macular degeneration: randomised controlled trial

Hugh R Taylor et al. BMJ. .

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether vitamin E supplementation influences the incidence or rate of progression of age related maculopathy (AMD).

Design: Prospective randomised placebo controlled clinical trial.

Setting: An urban study centre in a residential area supervised by university research staff.

Participants: 1193 healthy volunteers aged between 55 and 80 years; 73% completed the trial on full protocol.

Interventions: Vitamin E 500 IU or placebo daily for four years.

Primary outcome: development of early age related macular degeneration in retinal photographs. Other measures included alternative definitions of age related macular degeneration, progression, changes in component features, visual acuity, and visual function

Results: The incidence of early age related macular degeneration (early AMD 3) was 8.6% in those receiving vitamin E versus 8.1% in those on placebo (relative risk 1.05, 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 1.61). For late disease the incidence was 0.8% versus 0.6% (1.36, 0.67 to 2.77). Further analysis showed no consistent differences in secondary outcomes.

Conclusion: Daily supplement with vitamin E supplement does not prevent the development or progression of early or later stages of age related macular degeneration.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Early age related macular degeneration (AMD), characterised by numerous drusen of various sizes and types that extend across macular. Larger soft drusen types are of particular concern because of risk of developing into late AMD
Figure 2
Figure 2
Late age related macular degeneration (AMD): exudative end stage. Extensive fibrovascular scar that covers macula results in severe loss of vision
Figure 3
Figure 3
Randomisation of participants for vitamin E, cataract, and age related maculopathy (VECAT) study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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