Patient compliance important

An Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that certain micronutrient supplements are important for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A questionnaire was given to AMD patients to inquire about their use of these supplements, and a group of ophthalmologists in the authors' department was also questioned about their perceived efficacy of these supplements. The results showed that only 56.6 % of the macular degeneration patients in Japan 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 in Japan are not effectively informing their patients of the benefits of AREDS-recommended micronutrients.