A Datasheet for the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) on the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes

Objective: Over the years, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) has contributed to the natural history and understanding of progression related to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. This paper summarizes AREDS data elements available for research. Design: Data set description for data acquired during AREDS. Participants: Adults aged 55 to 80 years with no to advanced AMD in 1 eye but visual acuity >20/32 in eye without advanced AMD. Methods: database of Genotypes and Phenotypes archives and distributes data acquired in clinical studies such as AREDS. This article provides a detailed description of the data available under controlled access under the National Institutes of Health genomic data sharing Policy. Main Outcome Measures: Age-Related Eye Disease Study evaluated progression to advanced AMD, 15-letter decrease in visual acuity, and progression of lens opacities as primary outcome measures. Results: The data set includes 4757 participants enrolled across 11 participating clinical centers representing varying AMD severity categories and lens opacities. The participants' demographics and clinical variables were collected during baseline and follow-up visits, and data elements included ophthalmic images (fundus and lens photographs) with reading center gradings; nutritional estimates captured from food frequency questionnaires; data related to quality of life, hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality; and genetic data (available in a subset of approximately 2400 participants who submitted blood samples). Conclusions: Summary of data available under controlled access acquired as part of AREDS was provided. The AREDS data set offers a valuable resource for advancing our understanding of AMD and cataract progression and for developing novel tools and applications to transform ophthalmic diagnostics and therapeutics. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.