This study is a 5-year extension of the AREDS protocol, in which investigators followed the natural course of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Participants in the former AREDS protocol are eligible for this study.
Participants have a complete eye examination once a year and are contacted at least once a year between visits to check on their status. The eye examination includes measurement of visual acuity (vision chart test) and examination of the inside of the eye after the pupils have been dilated with eye drops. Photographs of the inside of the eye may be taken using a special camera that flashes a bright light in the eye. A blood sample may be obtained to test for cholesterol level and genes related to inflammation.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years – 100 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Participants will be eligible if they:
* Were enrolled in the AREDS or AREDS2 protocol and successfully completed the final AREDS or AREDS2 follow-up visit.
* Can understand and provide informed consent.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Participants will not be eligible if they:
* Are under the age of 50.
* Are not able to return to NIH for examination for the duration of the trial.
* Have any systemic diseases that compromise the ability to provide adequate ophthalmologic examination.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Since this is a follow-up study to the original AREDS trial and is no longer actively recruiting new participants, is there any chance I could still be enrolled, or are there similar ongoing studies I might qualify for?
2This study is tracking age-related macular degeneration and cataracts over time using eye exams and photographs — how does that kind of long-term monitoring compare to what I'd already be getting through my regular eye care, and would participating add anything meaningful for me?
3Because this study is observational and focused on collecting data rather than testing a new treatment, would joining it affect my access to standard treatments for macular degeneration or cataracts in any way?
4The study places particular importance on visual acuity data and photographic documentation at each visit — how often would I need to come in, and is that a realistic commitment given my current health and schedule?
5Given that this is a follow-up to a major completed study, what has already been learned from AREDS that might be directly relevant to my own treatment decisions right now?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Outcomes assessed will be based on the ongoing ocular examination and historical data that will be obtained at each visit. The visual acuity data and the photographic documentation of the two diseases will be of particular importance.