RCT2013 · JAMA · AREDS2 Research Group
AREDS2: lutein and zeaxanthin slow macular degeneration
Who, how long
4,203 US adults aged 50–85 with intermediate age-related macular degeneration, 5 years (+10-year follow-up 2022)
What they found
Replacing beta-carotene with lutein (10 mg) + zeaxanthin (2 mg) in the AREDS formula cut progression to late AMD by 18%; beta-carotene doubled lung cancer in former smokers. Omega-3 (1 g) had no effect. The 10-year follow-up confirmed lutein's advantage.
⚠ Caveat
Studied in existing AMD — no evidence for prevention in people with healthy eyes. The formula also contains vitamins C, E, zinc and copper; the effect belongs to the whole.
Related in the knowledge base
Last reviewed: 6 September 2026
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