AREDS Vitamins

Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) is sponsored by the National Eye Institute.

Studies showed AREDS decreased progression from intermediate ARMD to advanced ARMD by ~25%Flaw in the study

Patients were allowed to continue to take a multi-vitamin if they desired in addition to the AREDS vitamin.

Risks associated with high doses of vitamins

• Smokers who took high doses of Vitamin A (beta-carotene) had increased rates of lung cancer
• High doses of vitamins can interact with blood thinners – Coumadin.
• Some studies have shown increased mortality with high doses of vitamin E

Alternatively: Zinc 80 mg a day with 2 mg of copper (Cupric Oxide) was shown to decrease progression to advanced macular degeneration by ~20% itself and does not increase the rate of lung cancer in smokers.Other “Vitamins “- Omega 3 fatty acids, Lutein, Zeaxanthin – a second study AREDS II is evaluating these and results should be forthcoming in ~2014

Lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight have been shown to decrease the change of developing advanced ARMDSmoking: Smoking has been shown to significantly increase the chance of progressing to advanced ARMD.

The following vitamins contain the same dosage as the vitamin used in the ARED Study:

1. Preservation by Bausch & Lomb 
   a.     Available in 4 tablets per day or 2 gelcaps
   b.     Cost – 120 tablets ~$20.00, 1 month supply; Gelcaps 60 capsules ~$20.00, 1 month supply
2. I-CAP Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula
   a.     Available in 4 tablets per day or 2 gelcaps
   b.     Cost – 120 tablets ~$20.00, 1 month supply; Gelcaps 60 capsules ~$20.00, 1 month supply
3. Smokers Formulation
   a.     Leaves out Vitamin A (beta-carotene) – VisiVite Smoker's formula is one example
   b.     Alternatively, Zinc 80 mg/day with 2 mg of copper (Cupric Oxide) was shown to decrease progression to advanced macular degeneration by ~20% by itself and does not increase the rate of lung cancer in smokers.

AREDS Vitamin Formula