Age Related Eye Disease Study


The Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was a major clinical trial for macular degeneration vitamins.



AREDS Vitamins

This major clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Health began in September 1990 and the first results were published in a press release in 2001.

The study involved:

√ 4,757 participants between the ages of 55 and 80 years

√ those whose macular status ranged from no evidence of age related macular degeneration (AMD) in either eye to relatively severe disease with vision loss in one eye but good vision in the fellow eye (20/30 or better)

√ being followed for 5 years

√ being given one of four treatments:

1) zinc alone

2) antioxidants alone

3) a combination of antioxidants and zinc

4) a placebo, a harmless substance that has no medical effect.

The results stated that the AREDS "found that taking high levels of antioxidants and zinc can reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by about 25 percent." NIH News Release Friday, October 12, 2001

AREDS Formula

The nutrients in the AREDS contained:

500 milligrams of vitamin C

400 international units of vitamin E

15 milligrams of beta-carotene

80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide and

two milligrams of copper as cupric oxide

(Copper was added to the AREDS formulations containing zinc to prevent copper deficiency, which may be associated with high levels of zinc supplementation).

Bausch and Lomb Preservision

There are many eye vitamins available today using the AREDS formula and variations of it. With so many options, it can be confusing. Ask your eye doctor which formula is best for you and have the name of the eye supplement written down before you go to the store.

Bausch and Lomb PreserVision is an eye vitamin that comes in two varieties - one that uses the original AREDS formula and a AREDS vitamins with lutein (minus the beta-carotene for smokers).

The recommended dosage is to take two eye supplements a day. One in the morning and one in the evening with meals.

Icaps Vitamins

Icaps vitamins are made by the company Alcon, a global company based in Hünenberg, Switzerland.

The Icaps AREDS Formula contains the same dosage of vitamins and minerals used in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) by the National Eye Institute (NEI).

The recommended dosage is two soft gels per day. One bottle lasts a month and costs around $12.

Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 - AREDS 2

The NEI has launched the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2). There are nearly 100 clinical centers with over 4,000 study participants ages 50 - 85 who have AMD.

This study is no longer recruiting new participants but it is ongoing. Enrollment concluded in June 2008 and participants will be followed between five and six years. To learn more about this macular degeneration clinical trial click here: AREDS 2

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