Survey of patients with age-related macular degeneration: knowledge and adherence to recommendations

To evaluate the patient's understanding of the importance and adherence to the various lifestyle and Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) supplement recommendations for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Cross-sectional study.

Patients with AMD treated at the vitreoretinal service clinic.

Telephone questionnaire survey was administered to assess knowledge and adherence to various recommendations made to patients with AMD about lifestyle and AREDS supplements in this single-institution study.

Among 92 patients with AMD contacted, dietary modification, exercise and weight reduction, smoking cessation, and AREDS supplementation recommendations were recalled by 47 (51%), 21 (23%), 5 (5%), and 90 (98%) patients, respectively. The necessity of making these interventions was believed by 29 (62%), 16 (76%), 4 (80%), and 67 (74%) patients, respectively. Patient adherence to dietary modification was 81%, to exercise and weight reduction was 76%, to smoking cessation was 0%, and to AREDS supplementation was 88% (71% on correct dose). Financially, 29% of the patients noted a mean increase of $88 per month in expenditure because of making dietary modifications, but most reported such as justified; 61% noted a mean increase of $25 per month in expenditure from consumption of AREDS supplements, and most (96%) believed this was justified.

Patients with AMD recalled recommendations for AREDS supplementation more often than other lifestyle changes but generally felt recommendations were necessary and affordable. Adherence to smoking cessation recommendation was poor (0%), but to other recommendations was good.