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Review
. 2019 Nov-Dec;137(6):530-542.
doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2019.010317092019.

What do Cochrane systematic reviews say about interventions for age-related macular degeneration?

Vania Mozetic  1 , Rafael Leite Pacheco  2 , Carolina de Oliveira Cruz Latorraca  3 , Fernanda Chin Yu Ogasawara Lee  4 , João Victor Borges Gomes  4 , Rachel Riera  5
Affiliations
Review

What do Cochrane systematic reviews say about interventions for age-related macular degeneration?

Vania Mozetic et al. Sao Paulo Med J. 2019 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the third largest cause of blindness worldwide, accounting for 8.7% of all cases. A considerable number of preventive or therapeutic interventions have been used for AMD.

Objective: This study presents a critical view of the interventions that have been assessed through Cochrane systematic reviews.

Design and setting: Review of systematic reviews, conducted in the Discipline of Evidence-Based Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP).

Methods: Review of Cochrane systematic reviews about interventions for AMD.

Results: The 18 systematic reviews included assessed the effects of surgical techniques, laser/photo/radiotherapy, intravitreal injections, systemic drugs and phytotherapy/vitamins/supplements.

Conclusion: The Cochrane systematic reviews found evidence that use of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, pegaptanib, laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy and multivitamin compounds may present some benefits for treating AMD. There was insufficient evidence for supporting the use of macular translocation, submacular surgery, steroid implantation, radiotherapy, intravitreal aflibercept, interferon alfa, statins or omega-3 fatty acids for treating AMD; or the use of multivitamin antioxidant vitamins or mineral supplementation for preventing AMD. Future randomized controlled trials are imperative to reduce the uncertainty in several clinical questions regarding AMD.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None

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