April 2011
Volume 52, Issue 14
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2011
One-Year Follow-Up of Saffron Supplementation in Early AMD: Stable Improvements in Retinal Flicker Sensitivity and Visual Acuity
Benedetto Falsini; Marco Piccardi; Dario Marangoni; Angelo M. Minnella; Cristina Savastano; Patrizia Valentini; Rita Maccarone; Silvia Bisti
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Benedetto Falsini
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
  • Marco Piccardi
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
  • Dario Marangoni
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
  • Angelo M. Minnella
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
  • Cristina Savastano
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
  • Patrizia Valentini
    Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
  • Rita Maccarone
    Science and Technology Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
  • Silvia Bisti
    Science and Technology Department, University of L'Aquila, ARC Centre of Excellence in Visual Science, Canberra, Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), L'Aquila, Canberra, Rome, Italy
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  Benedetto Falsini, None; Marco Piccardi, None; Dario Marangoni, None; Angelo M. Minnella, None; Cristina Savastano, None; Patrizia Valentini, None; Rita Maccarone, None; Silvia Bisti, None
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2011, Vol.52, 127. doi:
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      Benedetto Falsini, Marco Piccardi, Dario Marangoni, Angelo M. Minnella, Cristina Savastano, Patrizia Valentini, Rita Maccarone, Silvia Bisti; One-Year Follow-Up of Saffron Supplementation in Early AMD: Stable Improvements in Retinal Flicker Sensitivity and Visual Acuity. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2011;52(14):127.

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Abstract

Purpose: : In a previous controlled clinical trial,1 it was shown that short-term saffron supplementation improves retinal flicker sensitivity in early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this longitudinal, open-label study was to evaluate whether the observed functional benefits from saffron supplementation may extend over a follow-up of one year.

Methods: : Twenty-nine early AMD patients (age range: 55-85 years) with a baseline visual acuity > 0.5 participated in the study. They underwent clinical examination and a Focal ERG (F-ERG)-derived macular (18°) flicker sensitivity estimate1 every three months over a 12 month period of treatment (saffron 20 mg/day) and follow-up. Visual acuity and F-ERG sensitivity, derived from the estimated response amplitude thresholds, were the main outcome measures.

Results: : After three months of supplementation, mean visual acuity improved by two Snellen lines compared to baseline values (0.75 to 0.9, p < 0.01). Mean FERG sensitivity improved by 0.3 log units compared to baseline values ( p < 0.01). These changes remained stable over the follow-up period.

Conclusions: : These results indicate that in early AMD saffron supplementation induces macular function improvements that remain stable at least for one year after starting the treatment.1Falsini B et al. Saffron Supplementation Improves Retinal Flicker Sensitivity in Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010 Aug 4. [Epub ahead of print]

Clinical Trial: : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00951288

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • antioxidants • electroretinography: clinical 
© 2011, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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