ERDİNÇ BOZKURT UTKU LİMON GAMZE TANINDI DUMAN BETÜL İLKAY SEÇGİN AKÇAY GÜVENÇ TOPRAK
Northwestern Medical Journal - 2025;5(2):85-92
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of micronutrient therapy for individuals with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who were unable to undergo intravitreal therapy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Method: Patients diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) between March 2020 and July 2021, who were ineligible for intravitreal therapy, had their medical records reviewed retrospectively. Those who met the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups. Group-1 received regular micronutrition therapy for at least six months, while Group-2 did not. Variables including age, gender, duration without intravitreal treatment, intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central macular thickness (CMT) were recorded. Data obtained were compared between the two groups. Result: Of the 183 nAMD patients screened, 125 were excluded due to missing data or irregular use of micronutrition tablets. Of the 58 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 27 were included in Group-1 and 31 in Group-2. The BCVA and CMT values at the beginning of the pandemic were 0.69±0.72 logMAR, 343.6±106.4 µm, respectively, for Group-1; and 0.85±0.82 logMAR, 381.3±93.7 µm, respectively, for Group-2 (p value 0.211, 0.153 respectively). The BCVA and CMT values obtained at the first examination were 0.74±0.76 logMAR and 330.3±148 µm, respectively, for Group-1; and 1.39±1.30 logMAR and 396.0±151.7 µm, respectively for Group-2 (p<0.001 and p=0.102, respectively). Conclusion: The administration of micronutrient therapy did not lead to significant changes in the central macular thickness (CMT) levels between the groups. However, it did slow down the progression towards a poor prognosis in terms of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). We believe that for individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, micronutrition therapy could potentially serve as an adjunctive treatment to intravitreal therapy. These findings highlight the importance of adequate micronutrient intake in the medical treatment of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
