The original Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was a breakthrough study which showed that taking a special combination of vitamins and minerals can reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The original AREDS recommended a supplement containing 500mg vitamin C, 400iu vitamin E, 15mg beta-carotene, 80mg zinc and 2mg copper. A second study, AREDS 2, was designed to see if the original AREDS formula could be improved.
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
AMD is a very common eye condition and is the leading cause of vision loss in the UK. It is most common in people over the age of 50 and it’s estimated that 1 in 10 people over 65 have some degree of AMD.
The macula is part of the retina at the back of the eye. It is responsible for your central vision, most of your colour vision, and the fine detail of what you see. The macula is made up of millions of light-sensing cells and is the most sensitive part of the retina. In AMD, the macula is damaged, and therefore the centre of your field of view may appear distorted, blurry, or dark.
For more information about AMD, visit the Macular Society’s website.
What did AREDS 2 find?
AREDS 2 found that people who took lutein and zeaxanthin instead of beta-carotene in the original AREDS formula had a slight reduction in the risk of developing advanced AMD, compared to those who took AREDS with beta-carotene. Also, for people with very low levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in their diet, adding them to the AREDS formula helped lower their risk of advanced AMD.
Former smokers who took AREDS with beta-carotene had a higher incidence of lung cancer. There were no significant changes in the effectiveness of the formula when they removed beta-carotene or lowered the amount of zinc.
Overall, AREDS 2 found that the original AREDS formula could be improved and still be effective in reducing the risk of developing advanced AMD. AREDS 2 recommends the following:
•Lutein 10mg
•Zeaxanthin 2mg
•Vitamin C 500mg
•Vitamin E 400IU
•Zinc 80mg or 25mg (25mg has lower risk of side-effects)
•Copper 2mg
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in high concentrations in the macula, where they are known as the macular pigment. The macular pigment is thought to protect the eye by acting as an antioxidant, and also by absorbing damaging ‘blue’ light, protecting the photo-receptors from damage.
The cells of the macula are particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage. Vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and copper all play a role in the protection of cells from oxidative damage.
Recent studies suggest even more promising findings on the benefits of AREDS2 supplements for people with geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced stage of dry age-related macular degeneration. Research suggests that these supplements could slow disease progression by up to 55% in cases where the central macula (fovea) remains unaffected. This discovery offers a cost-effective, non-invasive, and safe option for managing GA, potentially preserving visual acuity for longer.
What does it mean for me?
The AREDS and AREDS 2 formula are the only treatments known to reduce the risk of advanced AMD. The AREDS follow-up study found that taking the AREDS formula has a persistent benefit for reducing the risk of advanced AMD. Since it is challenging to achieve the high levels of vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids recommended in AREDS 2 through a regular diet, taking an AREDS2 supplement is generally advised.
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*Macular degeneration sufferers should always take advice from their eye specialist*