The National Eye Institute released the five-year results of AREDS 2 this week, at ARVO, the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.  This follow-up to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) looked at changing the formula for the AREDS supplement. Specifically, they studied the effect of adding lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 to the original formula.  The results showed that lutein and zeaxanthin may be helpful, but omega-3 did not have a positive effect over five years.

In April, 2013, Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. announced expansion of their clinical trial for macular degeneration into the third group of patients.  These participants are now being injected with 150,000 human embryonic stem cell-(hESC) derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.  Earlier in the study, patients were receiving a 50,000 cell injection, with later patients getting 100,000 cells.  The ramping up of dosage will continue until the last group, which will receive a single injection of 250,000 cells.

Researchers are always looking for new and better ways to treat wet macular degeneration.  The current intravitreal injections (Macugen, Lucentis, Avastin, Eylea) have been successful for many people.  But no one wants to get or give a monthy injection in the eye and long term use may contribute to other retinal issues.

Researchers at the University of Utah, led by Dr. Balamurali K. Ambati, have developed a system in the lab that allows for a one time intravenous (IV) delivery of a treatment that shows some promise.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) recently reported that targeting cholesterol buildup in the eye may slow the progression of macular degeneration.  As we age, cholesterol tends to accumulate in our arteries and veins and also in the eye.   In early dry macular degeneration, small lipid deposits that contain cholesterol are called drusen.  In the young, healthy eye, the body has a way to process out cholesterol and drusen do not form.  As we age, something seems to go wrong with this "disposal system" in the eye.