Japanese AMD patients have low compliance

An Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that certain micronutrient supplements are important for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Dr. Mariko Sasaki et. al. performed a randomized controlled trial to survey patients' supplement use for this condition and ophthalmologists' perspectives on this supplement use in Japan. A questionnaire was given to AMD patients to inquire about their supplement use, and a group of ophthalmologists in the authors' department was also questioned about their perceived efficacy of the different supplements. The results showed that only 56.6 % of the patients were taking supplements, compared to the 93% reported in the United States. All the patients taking supplements were instructed to do so by their ophthalmologists, but not all the ophthalmologists questioned in this study supported the use of AREDS supplements. This shows that individuals with AMD generally adhere to their doctors' advice, but that the ophthalmologists do not effectively inform their patients of the benefits of AREDS-recommended micronutrients. As the prevalence of AMD increases, this poor communication between doctors and patients represents a serious problem.*