Treatment of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration
Izmaylov A.S. 

North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg branch of the S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal Autonomous Institution

The article analyzes the large multicenter studies of prevention and treatment of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration, which confirm the clinical efficacy of using the minerals and antioxidants at an intermediate stage of AMD. The AREDS-2 study showed the possibility of replacement of beta-carotene, provoking the development of lung cancer in smokers, with the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin without reducing the therapeutic effect. At the same time this study didn’t confirm the positive effect of omega-3 fatty acids on AMD, which may be caused by their poor bioavailability in AREDS-2 formula under research. On this basis and taking into account data from epidemiological studies it was recommended for the patients with the dry form of AMD to increase the consumption of fish. By the content of vitamins and minerals the closest complex to AREDS-2 formula under research is Retinorm, which is enhanced by selenium known for its high anti-oxidant properties. The so-called "dedystrophic" therapy is widespread for the treatment of AMD in the medical institutions of the Russian Federation but it is not supported by the researches which meet the requirements of evidence-based medicine.

Key words: age-related macular degeneration, vitamin and mineral complexes, antioxidants, dedystrophic therapy, beta-carotene, carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, evidence-based medicine.
For citation: Izmaylov A.S. Treatment of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration // RMJ. Clinical ophthalmology. 2017. № 1. P. 56–60.