AREDS2 Eye Vitamins Explained: What the Studies Found

Updated 2026-10-08 · NatureSphere Editorial Team

Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. This content is for information only and is not medical advice — talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.

If you research eye vitamins for more than a few minutes, you will run into "AREDS" and "AREDS2." These are the two large clinical trials run by the National Eye Institute (NEI) that gave us the best evidence on nutrition and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Many supplement pages borrow the name. This guide explains what the studies actually tested, who the results apply to, and how to use them as a yardstick when you compare products. It summarizes public information from the NEI; it is not medical advice.

What is AREDS?

AREDS stands for the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, a trial sponsored by the NEI that began in the 1990s and reported its main results in 2001. It followed thousands of older adults to see whether high doses of certain antioxidants and zinc affected AMD and cataracts.

The original AREDS formula was:

What did AREDS find?

AREDS found that, in people who already had intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye, the formula lowered the risk of progressing to advanced AMD by about 25 percent over five years, according to the NEI. It did not show a benefit for people with no AMD or only early AMD, and it did not prevent cataracts.

That first point is the one most often lost in marketing. The AREDS result is about slowing progression in a specific group, not about preventing eye disease in healthy people or improving eyesight.

What changed in AREDS2?

AREDS2, which reported in 2013, tested changes to the original formula. The NEI summarizes the main findings this way:

• Beta-carotene was replaced with lutein (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (2 mg). Beta-carotene had been linked to a higher risk of lung cancer in people who smoked or used to smoke, and lutein and zeaxanthin worked at least as well.
• Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) were added in one arm and gave no extra benefit.
• Lower zinc (25 mg instead of 80 mg) was tested, and the trial did not find a clear difference between the zinc doses.

A longer follow-up published in 2022 supported lutein and zeaxanthin as the safer substitute for beta-carotene.

What is in the AREDS2 formula today?

The AREDS2 formula most eye doctors refer to contains:

These doses are well above typical daily intakes. The copper is there because high zinc intake over time can lower copper levels, as the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements explains.

Who should take an AREDS2 supplement?

The NEI describes the formula as being for people with intermediate AMD, or late AMD in one eye, as diagnosed by an eye doctor. If you do not have that diagnosis, the studies do not show that taking it will help you. The way to find out is a dilated eye exam; AMD often has no symptoms in its early stages. Read more on the NEI AMD page.

Does AREDS2 improve eyesight or reverse macular degeneration?

No. The AREDS2 formula was studied for slowing progression to advanced AMD in certain people. It was not shown to restore lost vision, reverse AMD or sharpen normal eyesight. Any product that uses the AREDS name while promising sharper vision is stretching the science.

Is an AREDS2 supplement safe for everyone?

No, high doses have trade-offs. The amounts of zinc and vitamin E are high. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that vitamin E supplements may increase bleeding risk in people taking blood thinners. High zinc can cause stomach upset. Anyone on medication, with kidney disease, or who is pregnant should talk to a doctor first, and AREDS-type formulas are designed for older adults, not children.

How do popular online eye supplements compare to AREDS2?

Most online vision supplements we reviewed do not publish enough information to compare. Here is how they stack up on what is disclosed in text:

That does not mean these products are useless for everyone, but none of them can be called an AREDS2 formula based on its sales page.

How do you use AREDS2 as a yardstick when shopping?

Use the AREDS2 table as a reference card. When you see an eye supplement label:

1. Find lutein and zeaxanthin. Note whether they reach 10 mg and 2 mg.
2. Find zinc and copper. Check that copper is present if zinc is high.
3. Check for beta-carotene, and avoid high doses if you smoke or used to.
4. Look for "proprietary blend." If amounts are hidden, you cannot compare.
5. Add up what you already take in a multivitamin.

Our guide to choosing an eye supplement turns this into a full checklist.

How do you take an AREDS2 supplement?

AREDS2 doses are usually split into two servings a day, taken with meals. Lutein and zeaxanthin are fat-soluble, so a meal with some fat helps absorption, and zinc taken with food is less likely to upset the stomach. Many store brands sell AREDS2-style formulas; check that the label lists the doses in the table above rather than relying on the name alone. If you already take a multivitamin, add up the totals so you do not double up on zinc or vitamin E.

Can you get AREDS2 nutrients from food alone?

Partly. Leafy greens supply lutein and zeaxanthin, and citrus, nuts and seeds supply vitamins C and E. But the AREDS2 doses of vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc are higher than most people get from a normal diet, which is why the trial used supplements. Food remains the foundation for people without AMD.

What else protects your eyes besides supplements?

Supplements are a small piece. Eye-care groups such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology point to regular eye exams, not smoking, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, managing blood pressure and diabetes, and a diet rich in leafy greens, colorful vegetables and fish. Not smoking is one of the most important steps for lowering AMD risk.

Sources consulted: nei.nih.gov, ods.od.nih.gov, aao.org.