In which stages of AMD should antioxidant supplementation be administered?

Antioxidant supplementation is recommended during the intermediate or advanced stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) because at these stages, there is a significant risk of progression to more severe forms of the disease that can lead to vision loss. Research, particularly the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), has shown that specific combinations of antioxidants can help reduce the risk of progression of AMD in individuals already diagnosed with intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye.

In the early stage of AMD, although there are some changes in the retina, the disease has not progressed to the point where antioxidant treatment has been shown to be beneficial. Similarly, in the late or severe stages of AMD, while patients may experience significant vision loss, the focus often shifts to management and supportive care rather than supplementation to prevent disease progression, as the damage has already been extensively done.

Therefore, the recommendation of antioxidant supplementation is primarily directed towards individuals in the intermediate or advanced stages of AMD to potentially slow the progression of the disease and preserve visual function.