AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study)

A clinical study that determined a specific nutritional supplementation regimen for prolonging retention of vision in individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AREDS was a clinical study sponsored by the Federal government's National Eye Institute that determined a specific nutritional supplementation regimen for slowing progress of vision loss in individuals with AMD. The AREDS supplementation is: Antioxidants (500 mg Vitamin C, 400 IU Vitamin E, 15 mg Beta-carotene) and Minerals (80 mg Zinc Oxide, 2mg Copper). Another study-AREDS II, started in October 2006-is designed to test modified minor adjustments to the original supplement combinations (e.g., removing beta-carotene from the formulation, lowering zinc), along with different dosages of lutein, zeaxanthin and/or omega-3 fatty acids. If you use nutritional supplementation, please consult with your personal physician and ophthalmologist as your personal health situation may require monitoring or a non-typical approach and nutritional supplements may interfere with prescribed medicines.