Abstract
To test whether beta carotene supplementation affects the incidence of age-related maculopathy (ARM) in a large-scale randomized trial. Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial among 22 071 apparently healthy US male physicians aged 40 to 84 years. Participants were randomly assigned to receive beta carotene (50 mg every other day) or placebo. Main Outcome Measure Incident ARM responsible for a reduction in best-corrected visual acuity to 20/30 or worse. After 12 years of treatment and follow-up, there were 162 cases of ARM in the beta carotene group vs 170 cases in the placebo group (relative risk [RR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-1.20). The results were similar for the secondary end points of ARM with or without vision loss (275 vs 274 cases; RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.86-1.20) and advanced ARM (63 vs 66 cases; RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.69-1.37). These randomized data relative to 12 years of treatment among a large population of apparently healthy men indicate that beta carotene supplementation has no beneficial or harmful effect on the incidence of ARM. Long-term supplemental use of beta carotene neither decreases nor increases the risk of ARM.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
