Optometrists, Ophthalmologists Recommend Lifestyle Interventions for AMD Patients

Optometrists are more likely to recommend dietary and nutritional supplements and ophthalmologists are more likely to recommend smoking cessation for patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the results of a recent study.

The cross-sectional study obtained data from a questionnaire distributed to optometrists and ophthalmologists in Sweden who were registered with their respective professional organizations. The questionnaire contained 18 forced-choice questions and 1 free-text question regarding use of nutritional supplements, dietary advice, smoking and eye diseases, and strength of evidence and the sources of information regarding nutritional supplement interventions.
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A total of 40.3% of optometrists and 5% of ophthalmologists who were invited to participate in the questionnaire responded. Results of the questionnaire indicated that optometrists were more likely than ophthalmologists to recommend nutritional supplements for AMD and provided significantly more dietary advice than ophthalmologists did for both patients at risk for AMD and those with established AMD.

However, ophthalmologists were more likely than optometrists to recommend smoking cessation and to rely on the findings from the age-related eye disease studies of AMD when selecting and treating with supplements.

“Common evidence-based strategies for AMD management among eye care professionals would presumably be beneficial for AMD patients,” the researchers concluded. “Targeted education and implementation strategies may be needed.”

---Christina Vogt

Reference:

Martin L. Targeting modifiable risk factors in age-related macular degeneration in optometric practice in Sweden. Dove Press. 2017;2017(9):77-83. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S129942.