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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Translational Vision Science & Technology

The Effect of Resveratrol, Quercetin, and Curcumin on Drusen Volume in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Clinical Trial

  • Nicholas M. Pfahler1
  • Paul A. Knepper1,2
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
  2. 2Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of resveratrol, quercetin, and curcumin (RQC) compared with curcumin alone on drusen volume and clinical outcomes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: In this open-label, randomized phase 2a clinical trial, patients with early and intermediate AMD were randomized 2:1 to oral RQC or curcumin for 24 months. The primary outcome was the mean change in central drusen volume from baseline measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Secondary outcomes included analyses of drusen volume and number by baseline size, categorical analyses of individual drusen response, change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), frequency of vision loss, progression to advanced AMD, and safety.

Results: Thirty-eight patients were included in the final analysis. After 24 months, central drusen volume decreased significantly with RQC compared with curcumin (−13.4% vs. +6.9%; P = 0.02). Mean BCVA increased by 0.8 letters in the RQC group and decreased by 2.1 letters in the curcumin group (P = 0.08). The frequencies of both mild and moderate vision loss were lower in the RQC group. Progression to advanced AMD occurred in 3.7% of participants and 2.3% of eligible eyes in the RQC group.

Conclusions: RQC treatment was associated with reductions in drusen volume, low rates of progression to advanced AMD, and maintenance of BCVA over 24 months.

Translational Relevance: This study provides preliminary clinical evidence that this oral therapy may reduce drusen burden and warrants further evaluation as a potential treatment for early to intermediate AMD.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{pfahler2026effect,
  title = {{The Effect of Resveratrol, Quercetin, and Curcumin on Drusen Volume in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Clinical Trial}},
  author = {Nicholas M. Pfahler and Paul A. Knepper},
  journal = {Translational Vision Science \& Technology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1167/tvst.15.10.50},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1167/tvst.15.10.50},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The Effect of Resveratrol, Quercetin, and Curcumin on Drusen Volume in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Clinical Trial
AU  - Nicholas M. Pfahler
AU  - Paul A. Knepper
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/29
JO  - Translational Vision Science & Technology
DO  - 10.1167/tvst.15.10.50
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1167/tvst.15.10.50
AB  - Purpose: To evaluate the effect of resveratrol, quercetin, and curcumin (RQC) compared with curcumin alone on drusen volume and clinical outcomes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  Methods: In this open-label, randomized phase 2a clinical trial, patients with early and intermediate AMD were randomized 2:1 to oral RQC or curcumin for 24 months. The primary outcome was the mean change in central drusen volume from baseline measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Secondary outcomes included analyses of drusen volume and number by baseline size, categorical analyses of individual drusen response, change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), frequency of vision loss, progression to advanced AMD, and safety.  Results: Thirty-eight patients were included in the final analysis. After 24 months, central drusen volume decreased significantly with RQC compared with curcumin (−13.4% vs. +6.9%; P = 0.02). Mean BCVA increased by 0.8 letters in the RQC group and decreased by 2.1 letters in the curcumin group (P = 0.08). The frequencies of both mild and moderate vision loss were lower in the RQC group. Progression to advanced AMD occurred in 3.7% of participants and 2.3% of eligible eyes in the RQC group.  Conclusions: RQC treatment was associated with reductions in drusen volume, low rates of progression to advanced AMD, and maintenance of BCVA over 24 months.  Translational Relevance: This study provides preliminary clinical evidence that this oral therapy may reduce drusen burden and warrants further evaluation as a potential treatment for early to intermediate AMD.
SN  - 2164-2591
ER  -