The effect of intensive education on concordance with the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) recommendations in a tertiary referral practice.

Background/aims: The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed that supplementation with their formula led to a significant decrease in progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study aims to assess the effect of different education protocols on concordance with the trial recommendations in two retinal clinics.

Methods: A prospective controlled survey of concordance with the AREDS recommendations in two retinal clinics was administered to 330 patients with AREDS category 3 or 4 AMD. The results were evaluated to assess the effect of differing levels of patient education. In clinic 1, there was a formal policy of giving the patient both verbal and written instructions and verbal repetition of these instructions from each staff member on each patient visit; in clinic 2, there was no specific education policy.

Results: Clinic 1 had a concordance rate of 81.6% and clinic 2 of 44.1%. There were no significant differences in the patient demographics between the two clinics.

Conclusion: A high concordance rate can be achieved in clinical practice with rigorous patient education that includes a policy of having continual repetition of instructions.