Studies suggest that in 15% of people who have specific complement factor risk alleles, the mineral zinc may negate the benefits of other crucial macular-supportive ingredients in preventing the progression from dry to wet macular degeneration. Testing for CFH alleles is performed in a doctor's office.
CFH and ARMS2 Genetic Polymorphisms Predict Response to Antioxidants and Zinc in Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmology. 2013 Nov;120(11):2317-23.
Treatment Response to Antioxidants and Zinc Based on CFH and ARMS2 Genetic Risk Allele Number in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. Ophthalmology. 2013 Nov;120(11):2317-23.
Response to AREDS Supplements According to Genetic Factors: Survival Analysis Approach Using the Eye as the Unit of Analysis. Br J Ophthalmol . 2016 Dec;100(12):1731-1737.
CFH and ARMS2 genetic risk determines progression to neovascular age-related macular degeneration after antioxidant and zinc supplementation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. January 23, 2018
Correspondence Reply Re: Genetic polymorphisms of CFH and ARMS2 do not predict response to antioxidants and zinc in patients with age related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology. 2018.
Prospective Assessment of Genetic Effects on Progression to Different Stages of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Multistate Markov Models. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 Mar; 53(3): 1548–1556.
Validation of a Prediction Algorithm for Progression to Advanced Macular Degeneration Subtypes. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2013 Apr; 131(4): 448–455.