From the Guidelines
PreserVision AREDS 2 is a recommended supplement for patients with intermediate or advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to slow disease progression, as evidenced by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and its updated formulation AREDS2 1. The daily dosage of PreserVision AREDS 2 includes 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, 80 mg of zinc oxide, 2 mg of copper, 10 mg of lutein, and 2 mg of zeaxanthin, typically taken as two soft gels twice daily with meals. These antioxidants and minerals help protect retinal cells from oxidative damage and inflammation, which are key factors in AMD progression. Key points to consider when recommending PreserVision AREDS 2 include:
- The supplement is specifically designed for patients with intermediate or advanced AMD, as research has shown that it can reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD by about 25% over five years 1.
- Patients should consult their eye care provider before starting this supplement, especially if they smoke, as the original AREDS formula contained beta-carotene, which increased lung cancer risk in smokers, though the AREDS 2 formula replaced this with lutein and zeaxanthin.
- While PreserVision can help slow progression, it doesn't prevent, cure, or reverse AMD, so regular eye exams remain essential for monitoring the condition.
- The benefits of treatment with antioxidants and zinc have been demonstrated in several trials, including the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), which showed a decreased risk of progression to late AMD and visual acuity loss 1. It is essential to note that PreserVision AREDS 2 is not recommended for people without AMD or with only early-stage disease, as research hasn't shown benefits for these groups. Overall, PreserVision AREDS 2 is a valuable supplement for patients with intermediate or advanced AMD, and its use should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to slow disease progression and protect vision.
From the Research
Role of Preservision AREDS 2 in Managing Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
- Preservision AREDS 2 is a formulation of antioxidant vitamins and minerals that has been shown to slow down the progression of AMD 2, 3, 4.
- The formulation typically includes vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc, which have been found to reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD 2, 3, 4.
- Studies have demonstrated that people taking antioxidant vitamins were less likely to progress to late AMD, with a reduced risk of neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy 2, 4.
- The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and its follow-up study (AREDS2) have provided evidence of the beneficial effects of the AREDS formulation in reducing the risk of progression to advanced AMD 2, 3, 4.
- The AREDS2 study found that replacing beta-carotene with lutein/zeaxanthin in the AREDS formulation may be beneficial in reducing the risk of lung cancer, particularly in former smokers 3.
Key Findings
- A systematic review and network meta-analysis found that zinc and carotenoids (lutein/zeaxanthin) supplementation were associated with better improvement in visual acuity, and carotenoids (β-carotene) were the most likely to prevent the progression of late AMD 5.
- The long-term effects of the AREDS formulation have been found to persist for up to 10 years, with a significant reduction in the risk of developing advanced AMD and moderate visual acuity loss 4.
- The AREDS formulation has been found to be safe, with no adverse effects associated with its use 2, 4.
Evidence from Studies
- The Cochrane review of antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of AMD found moderate-certainty evidence that the AREDS formulation probably slows down progression to late AMD 2.
- The AREDS2 study found that adding lutein + zeaxanthin, DHA + EPA, or both to the AREDS formulation did not further reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD, but lutein + zeaxanthin may be a suitable replacement for beta-carotene in the AREDS formulation 3.