Rheohemapheresis and Lutein Supplementation in the Non-Exsudative Form of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Inclusion Criteria: * Study eye with non-exsudative AMD AREDS II - III * with \> 10 large soft, and / or confluent drusen within 3000 nm of the foveal centre * and a best corrected visual acuity of 0.06 - 1.0 using ETDRS charts (letter score of 3 to 50 letters) * with / without geographic atrophy less than 3 disc diameters within 3000 nm of the foveal centre ´. with / without serous pigment epithelial detachment without clearly identifiable neovascularisation * Patients must have elevated baseline concentrations of at least one of the rheologic parameters (serum cholesterol level \> 200 mg/dL, fibrinogen level \> 390 mg/dL, or plasmaviscosity \> 1.6 mPa\*s) * Men or women aged between 50 - 99 years. Exclusion Criteria: * Study eye with exsudative AMD * Study eye with concomitant retinal or choroidal disorder other than AMD * Study eye with significant central lens opacities and / or conditions that limit the view of the fundus * poor general condition * hematocrit \< 30% * coagulation disorders (incl. marcoumar therapy) * significant cardiac problems ( \> NYHA II) * history (\< 12 months) of cardiac infarction * uncontrolled arterial hypertension * recent history (\< 3 months) of cerebral vascular infarction * cerebrovascular disease IV * uncontrolled diabetes * insufficient antecubital venous access * lutein supplementation within the last 3 months * weight \< 45 kg * hemato-oncological disorder * Patients who are unwilling to adhere to visit examination schedules