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AREDS2 eye vitamins: who are they for?

Written by the eyesight.health editorial teamBased on NEI and AAO sourcesLast reviewed: Next review:

Not medical advice. This guide is general information, not medical advice. See an optometrist or ophthalmologist about your eyes. How we write our guides.

AREDS2 eye vitamins are for people who already have intermediate or late age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that blurs central vision. In clinical trials, they did not help people with early AMD or people without AMD, and they cannot prevent AMD. [1] Talk to your doctor before you start them. [2]

At a glance

Who they may help
People with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or late AMD in only one eye. [2]
Who they don't help
People with early AMD or no AMD. [1]
Can they prevent AMD?
No. Supplements cannot prevent AMD. [1]
Main caution
They contain very large amounts of vitamins and minerals and can change how other medicines work. [2]

What is AMD?

AMD is an eye disease that can blur your central vision. It happens when aging damages the macula, the part of the retina that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. [3] It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. NEI says about 11 million people in the United States have it. [3]

AMD does not cause complete blindness. But losing central vision can make it hard to see faces, read or drive. [3] Dry AMD has three stages: early, intermediate and late. Early AMD has no symptoms, so regular eye exams are the only way to find it. [3]

Your risk goes up with age. People 55 and older are more likely to have AMD, and a family history of AMD also raises risk. [3]

What are AREDS and AREDS2?

AREDS and AREDS2 are two large clinical trials funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI). AREDS was set up to test whether daily high-dose vitamins and minerals could lower the risk of AMD and cataract. [1]

  • AREDS enrolled 4,757 people aged 55 to 80. Its formula lowered the risk of advanced AMD by about 25% over five years. [1]
  • AREDS2 enrolled 4,203 people aged 50 to 85. All had intermediate AMD in both eyes, or intermediate AMD in one eye and advanced AMD in the other. [1]

The newer AREDS2 formula swaps beta-carotene for two plant nutrients called lutein and zeaxanthin. People who took the formula with lutein and zeaxanthin, and no beta-carotene, had an 18% lower risk of advanced AMD than people who took the version with beta-carotene. [1]

The AREDS2 formula contains vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, lutein and zeaxanthin. [2] We do not list doses here. NEI's AREDS2 page lists the exact amounts, and your eye doctor can tell you what is right for you.

Who should and shouldn't take them

NEI says it depends on your stage of AMD: [2]

  • Intermediate AMD in one or both eyes: AREDS2 may stop it from turning into late AMD.
  • Late AMD in one eye: AREDS2 may slow AMD in the other eye.
  • Late AMD in both eyes: AREDS2 probably won't help, but low vision services can.
  • Early AMD: AREDS2 can't stop early AMD from becoming intermediate AMD. NEI advises a dilated eye exam at least once a year.

No AMD: the trials found no benefit for people who do not have AMD. [1]

Smokers and former smokers: the older AREDS formula has beta-carotene. Beta-carotene can raise the risk of lung cancer in people who smoke or used to smoke. AREDS2 has no beta-carotene. [2] In AREDS2, lung cancer occurred in 2% of people taking a formula with beta-carotene, compared with 0.9% of people taking it without. [1]

Cataracts: the original AREDS formula had no effect on cataract. [1]

Can a multivitamin or diet do the same job?

No. The vitamins and minerals in the AREDS trials were given in much higher doses than in multivitamins. These levels are also hard to get from food alone. [1]

The two can be taken together. AREDS formulas do not replace a multivitamin, and most trial participants took both. [1]

Food still matters. Earlier studies suggest that people who eat plenty of green, leafy vegetables have a lower risk of AMD. [1] The AAO says most Americans can get enough nutrients from their diet. People with AMD are the main exception. [4]

Risks and what to ask your doctor

Because AREDS2 supplements have very large amounts of vitamins and minerals, they may change how your body digests food. They can also change how other medicines work. [2] For example, NEI notes that vitamin E can interact with some medicines, including blood thinners. [1]

Before you start, make a list of every medicine, vitamin and supplement you take, and share it with your doctor. [2][1] Good questions to ask:

  • What stage of AMD do I have, in each eye?
  • Would AREDS2 help me, given my stage?
  • Could it interact with any of my medicines?
  • How often should I have a dilated eye exam?

NEI does not comment on specific brands. It also does not recommend genetic testing to decide whether to take these supplements. [1]

When to see an eye doctor

Get urgent help now if

  • You suddenly see a lot of new floaters (small dark spots or squiggly lines that drift across your vision) [5]
  • You see flashes of light in one or both eyes [5]
  • A dark shadow or “curtain” appears at the side or in the middle of your vision. These can be signs of retinal detachment, which the National Eye Institute (NEI) calls a medical emergency. Go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away. [5]

In the US, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. In other countries, call your local emergency number.

See your eye doctor right away if

  • Straight lines start to look wavy. NEI calls this a warning sign of late AMD and says to see your eye doctor right away. [3]

Make a routine appointment if

  • You are 55 or older, or AMD runs in your family. Ask your doctor how often you need exams. [3]
  • You have early AMD. NEI advises a dilated eye exam at least once a year. [2]
  • You are thinking about starting AREDS2 or any other supplement. [2]

An optometrist or ophthalmologist can check your eyes and tell you what is right for you.

Common questions

Should I take AREDS2 to prevent macular degeneration?

No. NEI says nutritional supplements cannot prevent AMD. The formulas helped only people who already had intermediate or late AMD. [1]

Can smokers take AREDS2?

The older AREDS formula has beta-carotene, which can raise lung cancer risk in people who smoke or used to smoke. AREDS2 has no beta-carotene. NEI says that if you smoke or used to smoke, “make sure to choose the newer AREDS 2 supplements.” Ask your doctor first. [2]

Can I take a multivitamin with AREDS2?

Yes. NEI says the AREDS formulas do not replace multivitamins, and most trial participants took both. [1]

Do AREDS vitamins prevent cataracts?

No. NEI says the original AREDS formula had no effect on cataract. [1]

Sources

  1. National Eye Institute (NIH). “AREDS/AREDS2 Frequently Asked Questions.” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2/aredsareds2-frequently-asked-questions. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  2. National Eye Institute (NIH). “AREDS 2 Supplements for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration/nutritional-supplements-age-related-macular-degeneration. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  3. National Eye Institute (NIH). “Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  4. American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Fabulous Foods to Boost Eye Health.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/fabulous-foods-your-eyes. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  5. National Eye Institute (NIH). “Retinal Detachment.” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment. Accessed 2026-11-05.

Content reviewed against sources listed. Last reviewed . This guide has not been reviewed by a clinician. Spotted a mistake? See our corrections policy.

Not medical advice. This guide is general information and does not replace an eye exam. For any concern about your eyes or vision, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

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