AREDS stands for Age-Related Eye Disease Study. These studies were commissioned by the National Eye Institute and studied the progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. They showed that a particular formulation of vitamins could slow the progression of the diseases. The vitamin formulation became known as AREDS 2.
AREDS 2 vitamins are specially formulated for people who have one kind of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) called dry AMD. AMD is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time. AREDS 2 vitamins contain the exact nutrient formula recommended by researchers at the National Eye Institute to help lower the risk of advanced AMD. Doctors recommend AREDS 2 for people with intermediate to advanced macular degeneration. AREDS 2 vitamins are currently the only treatment for dry AMD.
If you have AMD, you should talk with your doctor about whether AREDS 2 supplements are appropriate for you.
AREDS 2 vitamins contain:
• Vitamin C (500 mg)
• Vitamin E (400 IU)
• Lutein (10 mg)
• Zeaxanthin (2 mg)
• Zinc (80 mg)
• Copper (2 mg)
AREDS 2 vitamins come in different forms: pills, gel caps, and chewables. Most require taking 2 pills a day: 1 vitamin in the morning and 1 at night, with food. It is important to read the instructions and to take the vitamins as directed.