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National Eye Institute (NEI) Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2)

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) was a multi-center, randomized Phase III clinical trial designed to assess the effects of oral supplementation of high doses of lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]) in reducing the risk of progression to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD), progression to cataract surgery, and/or progression to moderate vision loss in high-risk participants. The effect of the study supplements on cardiovascular outcomes and cognitive function were also examined. Other study goals included evaluation of eliminating beta-carotene and/or reducing zinc in the original AREDS formulation on the progression and development of late AMD. AREDS2 sought to validate the AREDS AMD scale developed from the photographic data obtained from AREDS, (Study Accession: phs000001).

Eighty-two clinical sites across the United States enrolled 4,203 participants aged 50 to 85 (mean age 74 years) between October 2006 and September 2008. Enrollment was restricted to people at high risk of progression to late AMD with either bilateral large drusen or large drusen in 1 eye and late AMD in the fellow eye. Follow-up assessments in the clinic occurred on an annual basis for an average of 5 years, with telephone calls every six months during each year.

Blood or saliva samples were also collected from 2,000+ AREDS2 participants for genetic research. Of these, samples from 1,800+ AREDS2 participants were included in the International Age-Related Macular Degeneration Genomics Consortium - Exome Chip Experiment, and have exome chip data available in the dbGaP (Study Accession: phs001039). In addition, samples from 1300+ AREDS2 participants were included in the International Age-Related Macular Degeneration Genomics Consortium - Whole Genome Sequencing Study in the dbGaP (Study Accession: TBD). Of 1363 AREDS2 participants with whole genome sequencing, 488 previously participated in AREDS.

Please see "The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group" document for a full list of AREDS2 study contributors.