Mediterranean low-glycemic diet to protect vision in early AMD
Official title: Feasibility Studies for the Future Mediterranean Glucose Lowering Dietfor Vision Extension in AMD (M-GLOVE-AMD)
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11178698 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether people with early age-related macular degeneration can switch to a Mediterranean-style, low-glycemic diet and whether that change might help slow vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $238,202 |
| NIH project number | 5R34EY035782-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178698 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with early or intermediate age-related macular degeneration who do not have diabetes and are willing to change their eating habits and attend clinic visits for imaging and sample collection.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced (late) AMD such as active wet/neovascular disease, or those with diabetes, are unlikely to benefit from this feasibility project.
What this research studies
If I join, the team will work with people who have early or intermediate AMD but do not have diabetes to help them move from a typical Western diet to a Mediterranean, low-glycemic diet using behavioral support. I'll have detailed retinal imaging (including spectral-domain OCT) and provide samples for lab tests that look at metabolism, immune-complement markers, gut health, advanced glycation end products, and oxidized cholesterol compounds. The main goal is to see if the diet program and the imaging/sampling methods are practical and acceptable before a larger, multi-site trial. The researchers will use what they learn to write a protocol and manual for a future bigger study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a low-cost, non-drug way to help slow progression of early AMD and protect vision.
How similar studies have gone: Observational studies have linked Mediterranean and low-glycemic diets to slower AMD progression, but randomized trials are limited so this dietary approach remains promising but not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hartnett, Mary Elizabeth Ruth — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Hartnett, Mary Elizabeth Ruth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.