continued to follow the recommended dosing of one tablet daily. Of concern, this meant a significant portion of patients were not receiving the full benefit of AREDS supplementation in slowing down progression of AMD.

Thus, Australian optometrists play a pivotal role in educating patients, even those with long-term disease, on the availability of AREDS2 antioxidant supplements (some studies have identified that only half of suitable AMD patients are even aware of antioxidant supplements ), their benefits, and appropriately identifying the correct time to commence these. Optometrists should be aware of the ingredients and dosages within various AREDS2 antioxidant supplements, and be comfortable in recommending a specific brand or product that is consistent with the TGA-compliant AREDS2 low-dose zinc formulation as previously detailed in Table 3.

CONCLUSION The incidence and prevalence of AMD is known to be increasing in line with the ageing population in Australia and the Western world. Research has shown that a combination of lifestyle changes (such as cessation of smoking and light physical activity), dietary modifications (following a Mediterranean- style diet and increasing consumption of fish,

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Inez Hsing BAppSc (Optom) (Hons) GradCertOcTher OACAP-G is a clinical optometrist practising in Brisbane, with special interests in ocular disease and provision of collaborative care in the areas of retinal/ macular disease and glaucoma. She is a long-serving sessional academic in the Queensland University of Technology School of Clinical Sciences (Optometry and Vision Science) and currently serves on the Glaucoma Australia Board of Directors.