The AREDS study demonstrated that people taking an antioxidant formula reduced their rate of progression towards advanced age-related macular degeneration. For this trial, beta-carotene was removed due to increased risks for lung cancer due to smoking; instead lutein and zeaxanthin doses were increased while zinc doses were lowered accordingly.

Why AREDS 2?

The groundbreaking Age-Related Eye Disease Studies, or AREDS, clinical trial revealed that taking specific nutrient formula can lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration progressing further. Since that time, the National Eye Institute at NIH conducted a follow-up study AREDS 2 to assess whether additional nutrients might enhance its efficacy. In AREDS2, the National Eye Institute focused on Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA as well as botanical antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin that had demonstrated eye health-supportive properties during earlier research trials. Furthermore, this research trial investigated how changing beta-carotene levels or decreasing zinc in an original AREDS formula may alter its safety, tolerability, or efficacy.

In 2013, the results of the AREDS2 trial were made public, showing that its new formula reduced risk by 25 percent over five years compared to participants with similar diet and no supplemental vitamins. It was discovered that adding lutein and zeaxanthin significantly lowered progression compared to taking placebo; and doses used within AREDS2 formulation were safe for long-term use.

AREDS 2 demonstrated that low-dose zinc was as effective as higher dose zinc in the original AREDS formula and further decreased progression to advanced AMD by 15 percent. Furthermore, this research confirmed that AREDS could be safely used over a 10-year period without adverse side effects and had great patient tolerability.

Bausch + Lomb, the company that sponsored the AREDS clinical trial, now offers its AREDS 2 formula in an easy daily supplement format for consumption. AREDS 2 chewables deliver all of the proven effective levels found in the original study in two simple-to-swallow pills each day; additionally these multivitamin supplements come with added multivitamin benefits of selenium and lutein for even more health benefits! You can find these online or through local eye doctors offices; additionally Amazon subscribers can sign up to their Subscribe and Save program to receive regular deliveries when necessary!

AREDS 2 Trial Results

AREDS clinical trial showed that taking certain vitamins and minerals significantly lowered risk of progression to advanced AMD among those suffering from dry form AMD. Researchers wanted to know whether this formula would continue working long term; so conducted a 10-year follow up study which demonstrated it did continue lowering progression risk by more than 33% while being well tolerated by participants.

The research team conducted their analysis by reviewing data from both the original AREDS study and its follow-up, known as AREDS2, extension. They specifically looked at how adding lutein and zeaxanthin to the original formula and eliminating beta carotene or lowering zinc doses had an impact. Their researchers discovered that only adding lutein and zeaxanthin helped slow progression towards advanced AMD; neither eliminating beta carotene nor decreasing zinc dosage had any significant result.

This post-hoc analysis included 7,788 eyes from both AREDS and AREDS2 trials that did not progress to late AMD (neovascular or geographic atrophy) over at least one year. Participants aged 75 years or over and with history of moderate to advanced macular degeneration with large drusen were eligible to receive supplements containing beta-carotene, zinc and annual fundus photographs that were centrally graded before receiving supplements; furthermore researchers conducted surveys about diet and food consumptions of participants as part of their evaluation for progression via annual fundus photographs that centrally graded annual color fundus photographs centrally graded by researchers; additionally researchers conducted surveys regarding diet and food intakes with participants’ responses providing valuable data that researchers used when conducting their evaluation and reported their evaluation on results as part of this post hoc analysis.

The findings of the AREDS and AREDS2 studies have transformed many people with AMD, particularly those living with dry forms of macular degeneration. Viteyes experts recommend taking high dose eye supplements containing antioxidants and nutrients such as our AREDS 2 Plus formula which contains more lutein and zeaxanthin than can be found in multivitamins; also providing Omega-3 fatty acids which have shown promise in improving macular health.

AREDS 2 Supplements

AREDS 1 found that supplementing with vitamins C and E, beta carotene and zinc could significantly decrease the risk of advanced AMD. Subsequent studies have also demonstrated how adding lutein/zeaxanthin along with omega-3 fatty acids DHA/EPA could further slow the progression of AMD among those at greater risk. AREDS 2 will test if adding these additional nutrients would enhance AREDS formula; if so, what combination of supplements might work effectively.

AREDS 2 research group is conducting trials to examine whether eliminating beta-carotene and decreasing zinc dosage will have any bearing on how effective their supplement will be at preventing progression of ARMD. They will also explore whether taking antioxidants with omega-3 fatty acids and lutein/zeaxanthin together provides greater benefits than taking each of them individually.

Researchers are exploring the effects of taking high supplemental doses of zinc and copper, both known for being essential eye nutrients. There is an epidemic deficiency of these essential minerals among the general population; lack of them increases risk for advanced AMD.

One striking result from the AREDS 2 study is its discovery that off-label use of AREDS2 supplements may significantly slow structural deterioration among nonproliferative type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia cases – this is an exciting finding that should warrant further exploration.

AREDS 2 research team is also exploring the effect of adding lutein and zeaxanthin, natural eye health carotenoids found in foods such as dark leafy vegetables. This study will enable ophthalmologists around the globe to better advise their patients about protecting and maintaining their vision. ProMed Eye Health is pleased to present MACULA 2 ESSENTIALS AREDS 2 PLUS, an all-inclusive multivitamin designed to exceed the requirements set forth by the AREDS 2 Study, Vision Institute of Canada, LAST Trial (Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial), and Health Canada. Studies have proven its ability to delay age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation as well as decrease dry eye risk.

AREDS 2 Chewables

Following the success of the original AREDS study, the National Institutes of Health conducted another investigation – known as AREDS2. Their aim was to evaluate if adding omega-3 fatty acids or changing its nutritional makeup would increase its ability to slow vision loss, and whether a lower-dose form of zinc was effective at mitigating progression from moderate to advanced AMD.

Results of AREDS 2 confirmed the effectiveness of its original formulation. Furthermore, results revealed that supplementing with antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin improved its efficacy even further. The new formulations allow patients to obtain all of the essential eye vitamins and nutrients in one easy-to-take tablet – there are berry and mixed berry-flavored chewables available from this AREDS 2-based nutrient formula and it’s recommended by doctors for people suffering macular degeneration; but before beginning any supplement regimen it’s important to consult your eye doctor first – regular dilated eye exams should also be carried out to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Bausch + Lomb is one of the world’s premier manufacturers of ocular health care products and offers a complete line of AREDS-based nutritional supplements to promote eye and vision health. Their AREDS2 chewables contain the exact AREDS 2 formula recommended by the National Eye Institute as well as a multivitamin to aid overall eye wellbeing.

AREDS 2 uses patented forms of eye-healthy Omega 3 fish oil to deliver high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. It features a carefully calibrated foundation of government-studied antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, zinc and selenium; in addition, macular health studies have demonstrated their promise. It includes lutein and zeaxanthin that have proven their worth along with an Ocular Antioxidant Blend which has been clinically shown to slow dry macular degeneration progression.

AREDS 2 chewables should be taken daily with food to reduce the risk of visual loss in patients suffering from advanced dry macular degeneration. Doctors commonly advise their use alongside laser therapy and medication treatments.