Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, and the prevalence of the disease increases exponentially with every decade after age 50 years. It is a multifactorial disease involving a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, metabolic, and functional factors. Besides smoking, hypertension, obesity, and certain dietary habits, a growing body of evidence indicates that inflammation and the immune system may play a key role in the development of the disease. AMD may progress from the early form to the intermediate form and then to the advanced form, where two subtypes exist: the nonneovascular (dry) type and the neovascular (wet) type. The results from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study have shown that for the nonneovascular type of AMD, supplementation with high-dose antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, and β-carotene) and zinc is recommended for those with the intermediate form of AMD in one or both eyes or with advanced AMD or vision loss due to AMD in one eye. As for the neovascular type of the advanced AMD, the current standard of therapy is intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. In addition, lifestyle and dietary modifications including improved physical activity, reduced daily sodium intake, and reduced intake of solid fats, added sugars, cholesterol, and refined grain foods are recommended. To date, no study has demonstrated that AMD can be cured or effectively prevented. Clearly, more research is needed to fully understand the pathophysiology as well as to develop prevention and treatment strategies for this devastating disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the 2015 and 2019 AGS Beers Criteria® of potentially inappropriate medications in the elderly.<br/> DATA SOURCES: American Geriatrics Society 2015 and 2019 Updated AGS Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) Use in Older Adults published literature.<br/> STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: The literature was reviewed, compared, and summarized to identify pertinent changes and updates to the AGS Beers Criteria of PIMs in the elderly.<br/> DATA SYNTHESIS: The AGS Beers Criteria® contains a list of potentially inappropriate medications that should be used with caution, avoided, notable drug-drug interactions, and drugs that should be dose-adjusted based on kidney function in the older adult. The updated AGS Beers Criteria® also includes removal of medications that are no longer sold in the United States, have a low usage rate, provide low evidence of harm, and/or the potential harm is not unique to the older adult.<br/> CONCLUSION: The AGS Beers Criteria® is intended to improve and optimize the care of the geriatric population. It serves as a guide to minimize older adults' exposure to PIMs whenever possible. As with previously published updates to the AGS Beers Criteria®, the 2019 update outlines the following: recommendations, rationale, and quality of the recommendations, as well as the strength of the recommendations.

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