What Is AREDS Vitamin Formula For AMD?

Nutritional supplements based on AREDS formula and NIH study for age-related macular degeneration: Age Related Eye Vitamins

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition which mainly occurs in older people. In AMD the cells of your macula, the central part of the retina at the back of your eye, deteriorates and stops working. This can cause impairment of your central vision. This is the sight we use for detailed tasks such as reading and recognizing faces, and watching TV.

What is AREDS vitamin formula for AMD (AREDS 2 formula eye vitamin)?

Based on the results of AREDS2, the current recommended daily formula to slow down the progression of AMD in people diagnosed with intermediate stage of AMD is:
• 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C
• 400 international units (equivalent to about 270mg) of vitamin E
• 10mg lutein
• 2mg zeaxanthin
• 25mg or 80mg zinc as zinc oxide (as recommended by your doctor)
• 1.2 or 2mg copper as cupric oxide (depending on zinc quantity)

Important note: The nutritional supplements that have been tested in AREDS 1 and AREDS 2 studies, have only been proven effective in people with specific stages of AMD.  Based on AREDS studies, there was no proven evidence in using “eye vitamin” supplements for the primary prevention of eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 

The American National Eye Institute has a page on “What the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS and AREDS2) mean for you“.