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:
- 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 - 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 - 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
C | 500mg |
E | 400IU |
Beta-carotene | 15mg (25,000IU) |
Zinc Oxide | 80 mg |
Cupric Oxide | 2 mg |