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

By Lindsey Smith On 21 Jan, 2026 Comments (8)

If you’ve been told you have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), you’ve probably heard about AREDS2 vitamins. But do they actually work? And more importantly - are they right for you? The answer isn’t simple. Millions of people take these supplements hoping to save their vision. Some do. Many don’t. The difference lies in one thing: stage of disease.

What AREDS2 Vitamins Actually Are

The AREDS2 formula isn’t just another multivitamin. It’s a specific, clinically tested combination of nutrients designed for one purpose: to slow the progression of intermediate to advanced dry AMD. It’s not a cure. It won’t restore lost vision. And it won’t help if you don’t have the right stage of the disease.

The formula contains six ingredients in precise doses:

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

This combination was finalized after the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 - a 12-year, $70 million clinical trial led by the National Eye Institute. The study tracked over 3,800 people with AMD, comparing different versions of the original AREDS formula. The big change? They swapped out beta carotene for lutein and zeaxanthin.

Why Beta Carotene Was Removed

Early versions of the supplement included 15 mg of beta carotene - a nutrient found in carrots and sweet potatoes. But researchers found a dangerous side effect: in current and former smokers, beta carotene increased lung cancer risk by about 20%. That’s not a small trade-off. Losing vision is serious. But losing your lungs to cancer? That’s life-threatening.

The AREDS2 trial proved that lutein and zeaxanthin - two plant pigments found in spinach, kale, and egg yolks - were not only safer but more effective. People taking lutein and zeaxanthin had an 18% better reduction in AMD progression than those on beta carotene. By the 10-year follow-up published in JAMA Ophthalmology in 2022, the lutein/zeaxanthin group showed a 26% lower risk of advancing to late-stage AMD compared to those on the original formula.

Who Should Take AREDS2 Vitamins?

This is where most people get it wrong. AREDS2 supplements are not for everyone with eye problems.

They’re only recommended if you have:

Intermediate AMD in one or both eyes - meaning lots of medium-sized drusen (yellow deposits under the retina), or at least one large drusen
Or advanced AMD (geographic atrophy) in one eye, with intermediate AMD in the other

If you have early AMD - just a few small drusen - taking these vitamins won’t help. A 2023 analysis from Vision-and-Eye-Health.com confirms: “The AREDS2 formula does not offer benefits for individuals with early AMD, nor does it prevent the onset of the condition.”

And if you don’t have AMD at all? Don’t take them. No evidence supports using them as a preventive measure. Taking high-dose zinc and vitamins when you don’t need them can cause side effects - nausea, stomach upset, or even copper deficiency over time.

Split scene: former smoker turning away from cigarette toward leafy greens with glowing nutrients

What About Late-Stage AMD?

For years, doctors said AREDS2 supplements didn’t help once AMD reached the late stage - when large areas of the retina have died off (geographic atrophy). That changed in July 2024.

Researchers analyzed retinal scans from 1,209 participants in the original AREDS2 study. They found that those taking the supplement had a 55% slower rate of geographic atrophy growth over three years - if the damaged area was outside the very center of the macula (the fovea).

This is huge. For people with late-stage dry AMD, this could mean keeping enough vision to read, recognize faces, or walk safely without help. Geraldine Hoad of the Macular Society called it “encouraging for people with GA.”

But here’s the catch: the benefit was only clear when the damage wasn’t in the central vision zone. If your central vision is already gone, the supplement won’t bring it back. And the study wasn’t a controlled trial - it was a re-analysis of old data. More research is needed. Still, it’s the first real sign that AREDS2 might help even after the disease has advanced.

What Doesn’t Work

The AREDS2 team tested other ideas too - and some surprises came out.

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)? No benefit. Adding them to the formula didn’t slow AMD any further.

B vitamins? They looked promising in early studies, but AREDS2 showed no effect on progression.

And don’t be fooled by “AREDS2-style” supplements sold online. Many brands change the doses. Some cut the zinc. Others add extra herbs or antioxidants. But the science only backs the exact formula: 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 10 mg lutein, 2 mg zeaxanthin, 80 mg zinc, 2 mg copper.

If you’re buying over the counter, check the label. If it doesn’t match those numbers exactly, it’s not the same thing.

Elderly man reading letter as AREDS2 vitamins slow retinal degeneration around central vision

Long-Term Safety

People often worry about taking high-dose supplements for years. The good news? The 10-year follow-up found no major safety issues. Zinc levels stayed stable. No increase in prostate cancer, as some feared. No kidney damage. No liver problems.

Copper was added specifically to prevent zinc-induced copper deficiency - a real risk at high doses. So if a supplement has zinc but no copper, it’s incomplete and potentially harmful.

Side effects are rare but possible: mild stomach upset, especially with zinc. Taking the pills with food helps. Some people report yellowing of the skin from lutein - harmless, but noticeable.

What to Do Next

If you’ve been diagnosed with AMD, your first step isn’t to run to the pharmacy. It’s to see your eye doctor.

They’ll examine your retina, measure your drusen, and determine your stage. If you have intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye with intermediate in the other, they’ll likely recommend AREDS2.

If you’re a former smoker, make sure your supplement has lutein and zeaxanthin - not beta carotene. If you’re still smoking, talk to your doctor about quitting before starting any supplements.

And if you’re healthy with no signs of AMD? Focus on diet. Eat leafy greens. Have eggs. Wear sunglasses outdoors. These are proven, safe ways to protect your eyes - no pills needed.

Realistic Expectations

Dr. Emily Chew, who led the AREDS2 studies, says it plainly: “AREDS supplements cannot reverse vision damage that has already occurred.”

They don’t stop AMD. They don’t restore vision. They just slow it down - sometimes by a few years. That might mean you keep driving for another 2-3 years. Or you keep reading your grandchild’s school letters without needing a magnifier.

For many, that’s worth it. But it’s not magic. It’s science. And science only works if you’re in the right group.

Do AREDS2 vitamins cure AMD?

No. AREDS2 vitamins cannot reverse or cure any vision loss caused by AMD. They only slow the progression of the disease in people with intermediate or advanced dry AMD. Once central vision is lost, the supplements won’t bring it back.

Can I take AREDS2 vitamins if I have early AMD?

No. Multiple studies, including the 10-year AREDS2 follow-up, show no benefit for people with early AMD - defined by only small drusen. Taking the supplement won’t prevent progression and may expose you to unnecessary side effects from high-dose zinc.

Is it safe to take AREDS2 vitamins long-term?

Yes. The 10-year follow-up study found no significant safety issues in people who took the formula daily. Zinc and copper levels remained stable, and there was no increase in serious conditions like cancer or kidney disease. Always take the version with copper to avoid copper deficiency.

Can I get the same benefits from food instead of pills?

It’s very hard. The doses in AREDS2 are much higher than what you’d get from diet alone. You’d need to eat over 2 cups of cooked kale daily to match the lutein dose. That’s not realistic for most people. Supplements are designed to deliver precise, concentrated doses that food alone can’t provide.

Do I need to take AREDS2 vitamins forever?

There’s no set end date. Most people continue taking them as long as their eye doctor recommends. The benefits appear to last over time, and stopping abruptly could allow progression to resume. Always consult your doctor before stopping or changing your regimen.

Are all AREDS2 supplements the same?

No. Many brands use different doses or substitute ingredients. Only supplements that match the exact AREDS2 formula - 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 10 mg lutein, 2 mg zeaxanthin, 80 mg zinc, 2 mg copper - have been proven effective. Always check the label. If it’s missing copper or has less zinc, it’s not the same.