Lutein + Zeaxanthin Vs. Beta-Carotene
Lutein + Zeaxanthin showed an approximate 20% beneficial effect vs beta-carotene, as well as no increased risk of lung cancer in patients who were former and current smokers.1
The AREDS Story
In 1995, Bausch + Lomb collaborated for a clinical trial with government researchers at the National Eye Institute. The goal: To see if a high dose nutrient formula can help people with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
In 2022, the National Eye Institute publishes the results of its 10 Year Follow-on study. Bausch + Lomb's PreserVision® AREDS 2 Formula eye vitamins were used in the last 5 years of the study.
Read the NEI's latest AREDS2 10 year follow-on study here.
20 Years of AMD Leadership
2001: The First
Age-Related Eye Disease
Study (AREDS)
Age-Related Eye Disease
Study (AREDS)
NEI researchers concluded their first
five-year clinical Age-Related Eye Disease
Study (AREDS).
6,351
Study participants ages 55
to 80 years, with and
without AMD.
19%
Reduced risk of moderate
vision loss after five years.
25%
Reduction in risk of AMD
progression in those with
moderate-to-advanced
AMD.
10 Years
Participants showed
continued effects at
study follow-up in 2006.
2013: AREDS2, the
2nd Age-Related Eye
Disease Study
2nd Age-Related Eye
Disease Study
Based on new learnings around AMD, the
NEI researchers sought to improve the
original AREDS formula.
The result was an updated formula that replaced beta-carotene with lutein and zeaxanthin, since new research suggested an association between beta-carotene and an increase in the risk of lung cancer among those with a history of smoking.2
4,203
Study participants ages 50
to 85, with AMD.
82
Clinical centers across the
U.S.
5 Years
Length of AREDS2 study.
18%
Reduced risk of
progressing to advanced
AMD, compared to
patients taking the
original AREDS
formulation.1
- No clinically statistically significant differences in AEs between treatment groups. Post-hoc subgroup analysis
- Johnson EJ. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2010;13(1):28-33
1. No clinically statistically significant differences in AEs between treatment groups. Post-hoc subgroup analysis
2. Johnson EJ. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2010;13(1):28-33
2022: The AREDS2 10 Year Follow-On Study
The NEI publishes the results of its 10 Year Follow-on
study1, using Bausch + Lomb’s PreserVision®
AREDS 2 Formula Eye Vitamins in the last 5
years of study.
The NEI’s AREDS2 10 year Follow-on study
further validated the original findings about
the AREDS2 formulation with 80mg of zinc.
The study also provided support for the
continued benefit of lutein and zeaxanthin vs.
beta-carotene.
6,360
Eyes in the NEI AREDS2 10
year follow-on study
10%
Reduction in progression
to late AMD
20%
Reduction in progression
to neovascular AMD
10
10 Years of sustained
results
- Chew, Emily Y., et al. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online June 2, 2022. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.1640
Today
The NEI recommends taking a vitamin formula that contains the exact nutrients based on the AREDS2 study for helping to reduce the risk of progression in moderate-to-advanced AMD.
| Nutrient | Amount (per day) | Percent Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc | 80 mg | 727% |
| Lutein | 10 mg | ** |
| Zeaxanthin | 2 mg | ** |
| Vitamin C | 500 mg | 556% |
| Vitamin E | 180 mg | 1200% |
| Copper | 2 mg | 222% |
* Percent Daily Values (DV) Based on a 2000-calorie diet
**Daily value not established
Findings
80mg Zinc Vs. Other Zinc
No significant side effects were observed in patients who received a formula with 80 mg zinc per day.
Therefore, the NEI continues to recommend 80mg zinc per the results of the AREDS2 10 year follow-on study.
EPA+DHA Vs. No Fatty Acid Supplementation
Data indicates no statistical beneficial effect in EPA+DHA towards reducing the risk of progression to late AMD in the AREDS2 formulation.
- Chew, E.Y, et al. 2022. The Long-term effects of adding Lutein-Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids to the AREDS Supplements on Age-Related Macular Degeneration. [Unpublished Manuscript] The AREDS2 Research Group/National Eye Institute.
PreserVision® Samples
for Your Appropriate Patients
Request Samples
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
‡ Based on AUC of Lutein and Zeaxanthin compared
to original PreserVision AREDS 2 Soft Gel.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
All information and materials on this site pertain to the U.S. only, unless
otherwise indicated.
AREDS and AREDS2 are registered trademarks of the United States
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
OCUSorb is a trademark of OmniActive Health Technologies Ltd. used under license.
©2025 Bausch + Lomb. PVN.0007.USA.22 V4.0
Text Size: