AREDS2 Vitamins: What They Are, Who Needs Them, and How They Help Eye Health

When it comes to slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in people over 50 that damages the central part of the retina. Also known as AMD, it doesn’t cause total blindness—but it can make reading, driving, and recognizing faces nearly impossible. The AREDS2 vitamins, a specific, clinically tested blend of antioxidants and minerals designed for people with intermediate to advanced AMD, are one of the few supplements backed by solid science—not hype.

These aren’t your average multivitamins. The original AREDS formula from the early 2000s showed that high doses of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper could reduce the risk of advanced AMD by about 25%. But the AREDS2 study, published in 2013, updated that formula after finding that beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A linked to lung cancer risk in smokers, should be replaced with lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids naturally found in the macula that act as internal sunglasses against blue light. The final formula now includes vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, and copper—no beta-carotene.

It’s not for everyone. If you have early AMD or no signs of it, taking AREDS2 won’t prevent the disease. It’s only proven to slow progression in people who already have intermediate AMD in one or both eyes, or advanced AMD in one eye. That’s why your eye doctor needs to check your retina before you start. And if you’re a smoker or former smoker, you absolutely need the beta-carotene-free version. The wrong formula could do more harm than good.

Many people wonder if other eye supplements—like those with omega-3s or astaxanthin—work just as well. The data says no. While omega-3s are great for overall health, they didn’t add benefit in the AREDS2 trial. And no other supplement has been tested at the same scale or shown the same consistent results. AREDS2 isn’t a miracle cure, but it’s the closest thing we have to a proven shield against vision loss from AMD.

What you take matters as much as whether you take it. The doses in AREDS2 are far higher than what you’d get from food or standard multivitamins. You need the exact formulation: 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 10 mg lutein, 2 mg zeaxanthin, 80 mg zinc, and 2 mg copper. Generic brands often cut corners—skimping on zinc or using cheaper forms that don’t absorb well. Stick to brands that match the AREDS2 trial formula exactly.

People often ask if they can just eat more spinach and kale instead. Yes, those foods are full of lutein and zeaxanthin—but you’d need to eat several cups a day, every day, for years, to match the supplement dose. And even then, the concentrated, bioavailable form in AREDS2 works better in damaged retinas. Food supports eye health. AREDS2 slows disease.

If you’re 55 or older, especially if you have a family history of AMD or you’ve been told you have drusen in your eyes, ask your eye doctor about AREDS2. Don’t wait until vision starts to blur. By the time you notice changes, the damage is often already done. The best time to start is before symptoms hit.

Below, you’ll find real-world insights from people using AREDS2, comparisons with other eye supplements, and what your doctor won’t always tell you about the risks and rewards of long-term use. This isn’t marketing. It’s what the science says—and what patients actually experience.