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ophthalmology

AREDS Classification of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Eye Disease Study simplified categories (AREDS Report 18, 2005). Stratifies risk of progression to advanced AMD over 5 years and guides AREDS2 supplementation.

Score interpretation

Category 1 — No AMD 1

→ No supplementation indicated. Lifestyle: smoking cessation, Mediterranean diet, omega-3, UV protection.

Category 2 — Early AMD (~1.3% 5-year progression risk) 2

→ Reassure; lifestyle measures. Self-monitoring with Amsler grid. AREDS2 supplements not generally indicated at this stage.

Category 3 — Intermediate AMD (~18% 5-year progression risk) 3

→ AREDS2 formula (lutein 10 mg, zeaxanthin 2 mg, vitamin C 500 mg, vitamin E 400 IU, zinc 80 mg, copper 2 mg) — reduces progression by ~25%. 6-monthly OCT and monitoring.

Category 4 — Advanced AMD (~43% risk in fellow eye) 4

→ If neovascular: urgent intravitreal anti-VEGF (ranibizumab/aflibercept/faricimab) per NICE TA294/305/865. Geographic atrophy: low-vision rehab, pegcetacoplan/avacincaptad in selected systems. AREDS2 supplements for fellow eye protection.

Interpretation bands for the AREDS AMD. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.

References

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.