AMD Vitamins: What the AREDS2 Evidence Says and Who Should Take Them

If you’ve been told you have intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD), you might have been handed a bottle of colorful pills labeled AREDS2 vitamins. But are they really worth taking? And if you only have early signs or no AMD at all, should you pop them just to be safe? The answer isn’t simple - but the science is clear.

What Exactly Are AREDS2 Vitamins?

AREDS2 isn’t a brand. It’s a formula - the result of a decade-long clinical trial run by the National Eye Institute. The original AREDS study in 2001 showed that a mix of antioxidants and zinc could slow AMD progression. But the updated version, AREDS2, made a critical change: it removed beta carotene and added lutein and zeaxanthin.

The current AREDS2 formula contains:

• 500 mg of vitamin C
• 400 IU of vitamin E
• 10 mg of lutein
• 2 mg of zeaxanthin
• 80 mg of zinc (as zinc oxide)
• 2 mg of copper (as cupric oxide)

This specific combination was tested on over 3,800 people with AMD over 10 years. The goal? To find out what actually works - and what doesn’t.

Who Should Take AREDS2 Vitamins?

Not everyone with eye problems needs these supplements. In fact, most people shouldn’t take them at all.

The only people who benefit from AREDS2 are those with:

• Intermediate AMD in one or both eyes (many medium-sized drusen or at least one large drusen), OR
• Advanced AMD (geographic atrophy) in one eye, with intermediate AMD in the other eye.

If you have only small drusen - the early stage of AMD - taking AREDS2 won’t help. It won’t prevent AMD from starting. It won’t improve your vision. And it won’t stop you from developing it later.

That’s a big deal. Many people buy these supplements thinking they’re a general eye health boost. They’re not. They’re a targeted medical intervention for a specific stage of a specific disease.

Why Did They Remove Beta Carotene?

The original AREDS formula included 15 mg of beta carotene. It helped slow AMD - but it also raised the risk of lung cancer in people who smoked or used to smoke.

The AREDS2 trial found that replacing beta carotene with lutein and zeaxanthin eliminated that risk entirely. In fact, the new formula worked better. People taking lutein and zeaxanthin had a 26% lower risk of progressing to late-stage AMD over 10 years - compared to 25% with the old formula. That might not sound like much, but in eye disease, even a 1% difference matters.

And here’s the kicker: people with low dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin - think those who rarely eat spinach, kale, or eggs - saw the biggest benefit. The supplements made the most difference for those who needed them most.

What About Omega-3s? B Vitamins? Other Supplements?

AREDS2 tested other ingredients too. Omega-3 fatty acids? No benefit. Added to the mix, they didn’t help slow AMD at all. B vitamins? They showed promise in earlier studies for preventing early AMD, but AREDS2 didn’t find any protective effect.

So if you’re taking a supplement with fish oil, DHA, or a B-complex labeled for eye health - you’re wasting your money. The only proven combo is the AREDS2 formula.

Can AREDS2 Reverse Vision Loss?

No. And this is critical to understand.

AREDS2 vitamins don’t restore vision. They don’t fix damage already done. They don’t make blurry vision clearer. They only slow the progression of the disease.

If you’ve already lost central vision due to geographic atrophy, these pills won’t bring it back. But if you’re still in the intermediate stage - before major vision loss - they can help you keep your sight longer.

Dr. Emily Chew, who led the 10-year follow-up study, put it plainly: “AREDS supplements cannot reverse vision damage that has already occurred.”

New Findings: What About Late-Stage AMD?

In July 2024, researchers made a surprising discovery. They looked back at retinal scans from 1,209 people who had already developed geographic atrophy - the most advanced form of dry AMD. They found that those who had been taking AREDS2 supplements for years had a 55% slower rate of disease progression over three years - especially when the damaged area was outside the very center of the macula.

This is huge. Until now, experts thought AREDS2 only worked for intermediate AMD. Now, it appears it might help even those with late-stage disease - at least in some cases.

It’s not a cure. But if it helps someone stay independent longer - keep driving, reading, recognizing faces - that’s meaningful.

How Long Should You Take Them?

The AREDS2 trial lasted 10 years. Participants took the supplements daily. No major safety issues popped up. No increased risk of infections, liver problems, or other side effects.

Long-term use is considered safe - as long as you’re taking the right formula. Too much zinc can cause stomach upset or interfere with copper absorption. That’s why copper is included in the formula. Too much vitamin E? Possible bleeding risk in people on blood thinners. That’s why medical supervision is recommended.

If you’re on blood pressure meds, diabetes drugs, or anticoagulants, talk to your doctor before starting. Your pharmacist can check for interactions too.

What If You Don’t Have AMD Yet?

Don’t take them.

There’s zero evidence that AREDS2 prevents AMD in people with healthy eyes or only early signs. Taking them won’t protect you. It won’t delay onset. And it won’t make your vision sharper.

Instead, focus on what actually works: eating leafy greens, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, not smoking, and getting regular eye exams. If you’re over 50, a yearly dilated eye exam is the best prevention tool you have.

How to Choose the Right Supplement

Not all “AREDS2” supplements are created equal. Some brands cut corners. They use cheaper forms of zinc, skip copper, or add unnecessary ingredients.

Look for the exact dosages listed above. Check the label. If it says “beta carotene,” put it back. If it says “lutein and zeaxanthin,” good. If it says “for eye health” without listing the full formula, it’s not the real thing.

Some pharmacies carry branded versions like PreserVision AREDS2 or ICaps AREDS2. Generic brands are fine too - as long as they match the NIH formula exactly.

What Happens If You Stop Taking Them?

The protective effect fades over time. Studies show the benefit is tied to consistent daily use. If you stop, your risk of progression returns to baseline.

That doesn’t mean you need to take them forever - but if your doctor says you should, it’s worth sticking with them. Think of them like blood pressure pills: they don’t cure the problem, but they keep it from getting worse.

Bottom Line: Are AREDS2 Vitamins Worth It?

For people with intermediate AMD - yes. Absolutely.

For people with advanced AMD in one eye and intermediate in the other - yes. New data says they might still help.

For everyone else - no. Not as a preventive. Not for early AMD. Not for general eye health.

These aren’t vitamins you take because they’re “good for you.” They’re a medical tool. Use them only if your eye doctor says you need them. And never skip the annual eye exam to check your stage of AMD. That’s the only way to know if you’re still in the group that benefits.