Tan JS, Wang JJ, et al. Dietary antioxidants and the long-term incidence of age-related macular degeneration: the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Ophthalmology. 2008 Feb;115(2):334-41. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.03.083. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17664009/ Seddon JM, Ajani UA, et al. Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A, C, and E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration. Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group. JAMA. 1994 Nov 9;272(18):1413-20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7933422/ Your eye care professional has told you that you have many medium-sized drusen* or one or more large drusen in one or both eyes (you may have large drusen and still have good vision). Your chance of getting advanced AMD. Studies show that nutritional supplements might help people with early to intermediate AMD who are at risk for developing advanced AMD. A healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables is thought to be beneficial in keeping our eyes as heathy as possible. Fruit and vegetables are an important source of vitamins and minerals. The NHS advises we should eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.

AREDS 2 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2) was a very large research study. It looked at taking vitamins and minerals daily for AMD. This study found that certain nutritional supplements could help some people who have a lot of drusen. These supplements may also lower risk of wet AMD and vision loss in the second eye of people who lost vision in one eye from AMD. Taking the following nutritional supplements every day may help these people lower their risk of getting late-stage or wet AMD:Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group, SanGiovanni JP, Chew EY, et al. The relationship of dietary carotenoid and vitamin A, E, and C intake with age-related macular degeneration in a case-control study: AREDS Report No. 22. Arch Ophthalmol. 2007 Sep;125(9):1225-32. doi: 10.1001/archopht.125.9.1225. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17846363/ Be aware of:Supplements NOT containing standardised amounts of the active compounds anthocyanins and procyanidins, particularly if the amounts are not shown at all, as the content of the active compounds would be unknown. Supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin have been shown to elevate MP density [1]. In particular, the CREST study showed taking lutein 10mg, zeaxanthin 2mg, and meso-zeaxanthin 10mg in participants who have no eye problems increased their macular pigment level, and improved their vision [2]. Vitamin C 500 mg: Vitamin C is a vitamin that is present throughout all parts of the retina of the eye and is thought to be protective against AMD. Talk with your ophthalmologist about whether nutritional supplements are recommended for you. Here are some topics to discuss:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the organisation that considers the evidence behind treatments for all general health conditions and provide patients, health professionals and the public with reliable guidance on current best medical practice. NICE has not approved the use of antioxidant vitamins and minerals in the management of AMD. Beta-carotene supplements have been found to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers and people who have previously smoked. Results of AREDS2 Also consider: Meso-zeaxanthin was not investigated in the AREDS/AREDS2 studies as it was discovered later. We now know that meso-zeaxanthin, together with lutien and zeaxanthin, make up the macular pigment in the macula, and crucial for vision [3]. Based on what we know about meso-zeaxanthin, it is likely that the addition of the ‘missing’ macular carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin 10mg to the AREDS2 formula would be highly beneficial in further reducing the risk of advanced AMD [4]. This means that at present these supplements cannot be clearly recommended to everyone with AMD. More research is needed to determine if antioxidant and other supplements marketed for AMD are worth taking. Vitamin supplementation with AREDS2 Vitamin combinations such as VisuBright is an easy way to be proactive about your eye health and reduce the risk of AMD progression and associated vision loss.

Ireland  / EU

At present the strongest evidence about which vitamin formula to take comes from AREDS (2001) and AREDS2 (2012), two large-scale clinical trials carried out in the United States. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist might say you have early AMD if you have larger drusen in one or both your eyes. Other changes at the macula, as well as drusen, will indicate whether your early AMD has a low, medium, or high risk of progression (worsening). Snyder Taggart M. Retinal pigment epithelium: The eye’s first line of defense against macular degeneration. Bright Focus Foundation.