In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the AREDS formulation reduces progression to advanced AMD in patients with Category 3 or 4 disease. The antioxidant combination used in AREDS2 (replacing beta-carotene due to lung cancer risk in smokers) is:

• A Vitamin C 250 mg, Vitamin E 200 IU, Beta-carotene 15 mg, Zinc 40 mg, Omega-3 fatty acids
• B Lutein 20 mg, Zeaxanthin 4 mg, Vitamin E 400 IU, Zinc 25 mg, Selenium 200 μg
• C Beta-carotene 15 mg, Vitamin C 500 mg, Vitamin E 400 IU, Zinc 80 mg, Lutein 5 mg
• D Vitamin C 500 mg, Vitamin E 400 IU, Zinc 80 mg, Copper 2 mg, Lutein 10 mg, Zeaxanthin 2 mg ✓

Explanation

AREDS2 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2) tested substitutions in the original AREDS formula. The original AREDS formula contained beta-carotene 15 mg, Vitamin C 500 mg, Vitamin E 400 IU, Zinc 80 mg, Copper 2 mg (added to prevent zinc-induced copper deficiency). AREDS2 replaced beta-carotene with lutein 10 mg + zeaxanthin 2 mg, because: (1) beta-carotene increased lung cancer risk in current and former smokers; (2) macular carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) are natural macular pigment constituents with superior retinal bioavailability. AREDS2 demonstrated that the lutein/zeaxanthin-containing formula reduced progression to advanced AMD by 26% vs. placebo in patients with low dietary lutein/zeaxanthin intake, establishing the current AREDS2 formula as standard supplementation.

Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.