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CHAPTER 3. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND MACULAR

DEGENERATION

Overview

In this chapter, we will begin by introducing you to official information sources on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) relating to macular degeneration. At the conclusion of this chapter, we will provide additional sources.

The Combined Health Information Database

The Combined Health Information Database (CHID) is a bibliographic database produced by health-related agencies of the U.S. federal government (mostly from the National Institutes of Health) that can offer concise information for a targeted search. The CHID database is updated four times a year at the end of January, April, July, and October. Check the titles, summaries, and availability of CAM-related information by using the “Simple Search” option at the following Web site: http://chid.nih.gov/simple/simple.html. In the drop box at the top, select “Complementary and Alternative Medicine.” Then type “macular degeneration” (or synonyms) in the second search box. We recommend that you select 100 “documents per page” and to check the “whole records” options. The following was extracted using this technique:

•Antioxidant Vitamins and Zinc Reduce Risk of Vision Loss from Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Source: Bethesda, MD: National Eye Institute. 2001. 5 p.

Contact: Available from National Eye Institute. National Institutes of Health, 2020 Vision Place, Bethesda, MD 20892. (301) 496-5248. PRICE: Free.

Summary: This National Eye Institute (NEI) news release reports on the nationwide clinical trial "Age Related Eye Disease Study," which found that high levels of antioxidants and zinc reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration and its associated vision loss. It describes the methodology and results of the trial, and includes quotes from the trial investigators and the director of the NEI.

118 Macular Degeneration

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (http://nccam.nih.gov/) has created a link to the National Library of Medicine’s databases to facilitate research for articles that specifically relate to macular degeneration and complementary medicine. To search the database, go to the following Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nccam/camonpubmed.html. Select “CAM on PubMed.” Enter “macular degeneration” (or synonyms) into the search box. Click “Go.” The following references provide information on particular aspects of complementary and alternative medicine that are related to macular degeneration:

•A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8.

Author(s): Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. Source: Archives of Ophthalmology. 2001 October; 119(10): 1417-36.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11594942&dopt=Abstract

•Age-related macular degeneration and nutritional supplementation: a review of randomised controlled trials.

Author(s): Bartlett H, Eperjesi F.

Source: Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists). 2003 September; 23(5): 383-99. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12950886&dopt=Abstract

•Age-related macular degeneration: a randomized clinical trial of a self-management intervention.

Author(s): Brody BL, Williams RA, Thomas RG, Kaplan RM, Chu RM, Brown SI. Source: Annals of Behavioral Medicine : a Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. 1999 Fall; 21(4): 322-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=10721440&dopt=Abstract

•Alternative therapies in exudative age related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Chong NH, Bird AC.

Source: The British Journal of Ophthalmology. 1998 December; 82(12): 1441-3. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=9930280&dopt=Abstract

•Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation for preventing age-related macular degeneration. /entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11869572 <p>Author(s): Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(1):CD000254

Source: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000; (2): Cd000253. Review. <plink>

<Title>Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Evans JR.

Alternative Medicine 119

Source: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002; (2): Cd000254. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12076389&dopt=Abstract

•Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Evans JR.

Source: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002; (1): Cd000254. Review. Update In: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11869572&dopt=Abstract

•Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Evans JR.

Source: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000; (2): Cd000254. Review. Update In: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=10796708&dopt=Abstract

•Antioxidants and zinc to prevent progression of age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Jampol LM, Ferris FL 3rd.

Source: Jama : the Journal of the American Medical Association. 2001 November 21; 286(19): 2466-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11759670&dopt=Abstract

•Antioxidants, zinc, and age-related macular degeneration: results and recommendations.

Author(s): Jampol LM.

Source: Archives of Ophthalmology. 2001 October; 119(10): 1533-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11594957&dopt=Abstract

•Benefit of coloured lenses for age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Wolffsohn JS, Dinardo C, Vingrys AJ.

Source: Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists). 2002 July; 22(4): 300-11. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12162481&dopt=Abstract

•Can high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc slow the progression of macular degeneration?

Author(s): Gordon JE, Schooff M.

Source: The Journal of Family Practice. 2002 February; 51(2): 105. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11978202&dopt=Abstract

•Changes in choriocapillaris and retinal pigment epithelium in age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Lutty G, Grunwald J, Majji AB, Uyama M, Yoneya S.

120Macular Degeneration

Source: Molecular Vision [electronic Resource]. 1999 November 3; 5: 35. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=10562659&dopt=Abstract

•Changing therapeutic paradigms for exudative age-related macular degeneration: antiangiogenic agents and photodynamic therapy.

Author(s): Ciulla TA, Danis RP, Criswell M, Pratt LM.

Source: Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs. 1999 December; 8(12): 2173-2182. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11139846&dopt=Abstract

•Clinical management of age-related macular degeneration: room for improvement.

Author(s): Howe LJ.

Source: Eye (London, England). 1995; 9 ( Pt 6 Su): 42-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=8729019&dopt=Abstract

•Complex visual hallucinations in macular degeneration.

Author(s): Lalla D, Primeau F.

Source: Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie. 1993 November; 38(9): 584-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=8306229&dopt=Abstract

•Current use of dietary supplementation in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Chang CW, Chu G, Hinz BJ, Greve MD. Source: Can J Ophthalmol. 2003 February; 38(1): 27-32.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12608514&dopt=Abstract

•Dietary fat and risk for advanced age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Seddon JM, Rosner B, Sperduto RD, Yannuzzi L, Haller JA, Blair NP, Willett W.

Source: Archives of Ophthalmology. 2001 August; 119(8): 1191-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11483088&dopt=Abstract

•Free radicals and antioxidant supplementation: a review of their roles in age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): van der Hagen AM, Yolton DP, Kaminski MS, Yolton RL. Source: J Am Optom Assoc. 1993 December; 64(12): 871-8. Review.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=8308191&dopt=Abstract

•Ginkgo biloba extract for age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Evans JR.

Alternative Medicine 121

Source: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000; (2): Cd001775. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=10796819&dopt=Abstract

•High-dose supplements for age-related macular degeneration: did you leave out centrum?

Author(s): Abramson DH, Abramson HS.

Source: Archives of Ophthalmology. 2002 November; 120(11): 1602. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12427092&dopt=Abstract

•Information about age-related macular degeneration on the Internet.

Author(s): Stone TW, Jumper JM.

Source: Southern Medical Journal. 2001 January; 94(1): 22-5. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11213937&dopt=Abstract

•Macular degeneration in older adults.

Author(s): Moore LW.

Source: Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.). 2001 March-April; 22(2): 96-9. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11326218&dopt=Abstract

•Macular degeneration. A devastating but treatable disease.

Author(s): Farber ME, Farber AS.

Source: Postgraduate Medicine. 1990 August; 88(2): 181-3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=2381881&dopt=Abstract

•Management of age related macular degeneration: still room for improvement.

Author(s): Howe LJ.

Source: The British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2003 March; 87(3): 375. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12598473&dopt=Abstract

•Nutritional supplement use and age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Chew EY.

Source: Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 1995 June; 6(3): 19-24. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=10150867&dopt=Abstract

•Prospective study of dietary fat and the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Cho E, Hung S, Willett WC, Spiegelman D, Rimm EB, Seddon JM, Colditz GA, Hankinson SE.

Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2001 February; 73(2): 209-18. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11157315&dopt=Abstract

122 Macular Degeneration

•Prospective study of zinc intake and the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Cho E, Stampfer MJ, Seddon JM, Hung S, Spiegelman D, Rimm EB, Willett WC, Hankinson SE.

Source: Annals of Epidemiology. 2001 July; 11(5): 328-36. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11399447&dopt=Abstract

•Resonance Raman measurement of macular carotenoids in normal subjects and in age-related macular degeneration patients.

Author(s): Bernstein PS, Zhao DY, Wintch SW, Ermakov IV, McClane RW, Gellermann W.

Source: Ophthalmology. 2002 October; 109(10): 1780-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12359594&dopt=Abstract

•Retinal pigment epithelial debridement as a model for the pathogenesis and treatment of macular degeneration.

Author(s): Del Priore LV, Kaplan HJ, Hornbeck R, Jones Z, Swinn M. Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology. 1996 November; 122(5): 629-43.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=8909202&dopt=Abstract

•Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration: an update.

Author(s): Hyman L, Neborsky R.

Source: Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 2002 June; 13(3): 171-5. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12011686&dopt=Abstract

•Senile macular degeneration and psychosis.

Author(s): Casey DA, Wandzilak T.

Source: Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology. 1988 April-June; 1(2): 108-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=3252878&dopt=Abstract

•Serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, and dietary data in age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Richer S, Rudy D, Statkute L, Karofty K, Frankowski J.

Source: American Journal of Therapeutics. 2002 January-February; 9(1): 25-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11782816&dopt=Abstract

•The Age-Related Eye Disease Study system for classifying age-related macular degeneration from stereoscopic color fundus photographs: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study Report Number 6.

Author(s): Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.

Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2001 November; 132(5): 668-81. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11704028&dopt=Abstract