Serum vitamin E levels negatively correlate with severity of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) pathogenesis has been related to UV radiation and other factors that may promote increased oxidative damage to the retina. Patients with different AMD grading (n = 25) were compared with an age-matched group of AMD-free subjects (n = 15), both groups older than 60 years. A modification of the AMD grading system is proposed that allows patient grading and not single eye grading. AMD patients showed statistica lly significant lower serum levels of vitamin E and Zn than AMD-free subjec ts. Moreover, a negative correlation (Spearman's correlation coefficient I = - 0.815, P < 0.001) could be established between AMD grading of both the patients' eyes and serum vitamin E levels. Sun exposure index (SEI) was als o compared and found to be significantly higher in the AMD group. The resul ts presented establish the importance of antioxidants in AMD, and set the b asis for further studies on adjuvant therapies with antioxidants for AMD. F inally, the results also confirm the pathogenic role of UV radiation in AMD . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.