A Longitudinal Follow-up Study of Saffron Supplementation in Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Sustained Benefits to Central Retinal Function

""Purpose. In a previous randomized clinical trial (Falsini et al., 2010), 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 longer follow-up duration.. Methods. Twenty-nine early AMD patients (age range: 55-85 years) with a baseline visual acuity > 0.3 participated in the study. They underwent clinical examination and a Focal ERG (fERG)-derived macular (18°) flicker sensitivity estimate1 every three months over an average period of treatment (saffron 20 mg\\\/day) and follow-up of 14 (± 2) months. Visual acuity and fERG sensitivity, derived from the estimated response amplitude thresholds, were the main outcome measures.. Results. After three months of supplementation, mean fERG sensitivity improved by 0.3 log units compared to baseline values (p < 0.01), and mean visual acuity improved by two Snellen lines compared to baseline values (0.75 to 0.9, 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 from baseline that are extended over a long-term follow-up.. ""