No. The National Eye Institute (NEI) states: "Nutritional supplements cannot prevent AMD." For people with intermediate AMD, NEI says the AREDS and AREDS2 supplements reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD by about 25 percent, and with late AMD in one eye they may slow AMD in the other eye. The trials found no benefit for people with early AMD or no AMD.
It is a fair question. If a vitamin formula can slow macular degeneration, it seems logical that it might stop the disease from starting. If a parent or sibling has AMD, you may wonder whether taking AREDS2 now could protect you later.
The research gives a clear answer, and it is worth understanding why. This article explains what the trials tested, who they helped, how large the benefit was, and what the evidence says you can do to lower your risk.
What the research says about prevention
NEI's summary of the AREDS and AREDS2 trials lists this among its major findings: the supplements "do not prevent AMD onset." Its frequently asked questions page puts it even more simply: nutritional supplements cannot prevent AMD.
Part of the reason is who was studied. AREDS2 enrolled 4,203 people aged 50 to 85, and NEI notes it included only people with intermediate AMD in both eyes, or intermediate AMD in one eye and advanced AMD in the other. People without AMD were not part of that trial, so it could not show a prevention benefit.
Other trials did look at prevention. A 2017 Cochrane review looked at whether supplements prevent AMD. It included 5 randomized trials with 76,756 people and found:
- Vitamin E does not prevent AMD (risk ratio 0.97, high-certainty evidence). A risk ratio of 1.0 means no difference, so 0.97 is essentially the same risk.
- Vitamin C probably does not prevent AMD (risk ratio 0.96).
- Lutein and zeaxanthin have no trial evidence for prevention.
Who the AREDS2 formula is for
NEI's guidance depends on the stage of AMD your eye doctor finds. The table below combines the FAQ with NEI's patient page on AREDS 2 supplements.
| Your situation | What NEI says about AREDS/AREDS2 supplements |
|---|---|
| No AMD | No benefit in the trials. Supplements cannot prevent AMD. |
| Early AMD | No benefit in the trials. They cannot prevent early AMD from developing into intermediate AMD. |
| Intermediate AMD in one or both eyes | May delay progression to advanced AMD. |
| Late AMD in one eye only | May slow AMD in the other eye. |
| Late AMD in both eyes | Probably won't help. |
For a fuller walk through the formula itself, see What Is AREDS2 and Who Needs It? and our explainer on how the AREDS and AREDS2 trials were designed.
How big is the benefit? It depends on your stage
The original AREDS trial followed 3,640 people aged 55 to 80 for an average of 6.3 years. Compared with placebo, antioxidants plus zinc lowered the odds of developing advanced AMD (odds ratio 0.72). NEI summarizes the AREDS and AREDS2 results as lowering the risk of progression from intermediate to advanced AMD by about 25 percent.
But the benefit was not spread evenly. People in the lowest-risk group of AREDS had only a 1.3% chance of progressing to advanced AMD over 5 years. When so few people progress, there is very little for a supplement to reduce. When that lowest-risk group was set aside, the odds ratio for the higher-risk participants was 0.66.
A 2023 Cochrane review of 26 trials with 11,952 people turned these results into numbers that are easier to picture. It rated the evidence as moderate certainty, mostly from AREDS.
For every 1,000 people with intermediate AMD who take the supplements, about 78 fewer would be expected to progress to late AMD. For every 1,000 people with early AMD, the figure is about 4. That small number is in line with NEI's summary that the trials showed no benefit for people with early AMD.
Keep in mind: "slowing progression" means lowering the chance that AMD moves to a later stage. It does not mean reversing damage or restoring vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology is clear that supplements are not a cure for AMD.
What may lower your risk of AMD
Some risk factors cannot be changed. NEI lists older age, a family history of AMD, and being Caucasian, along with smoking. Smoking is the one you can act on.
The NEI names these choices that may lower your risk:
- Quit smoking, or never start
- Get regular physical activity
- Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels
- Eat healthy foods, including leafy green vegetables and fish
Diet has also been studied in a different way. An analysis of 7,756 AREDS and AREDS2 participants followed people for a median of 10.2 years. Those whose eating most closely matched a Mediterranean pattern were less likely to progress to late AMD than those whose eating matched it least (hazard ratio 0.78). Fish intake contributed to that link. This was an observational finding, so it shows an association, not proof that diet caused the difference. Our article on getting AREDS2 nutrients from food covers this in more detail.
Finally, because early AMD does not cause symptoms, regular eye exams matter. The AAO says adults 65 and older should have their eyes checked every year or two. Our guide to eye health after 50 lists the other exam recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
My parent has AMD. Should I take AREDS2 just in case?
A family history of AMD does raise your risk, according to NEI. But the trials showed no benefit for people without AMD, and NEI says supplements cannot prevent it. NEI also does not recommend genetic testing for AMD. A practical step is to tell your eye doctor about your family history and keep up with regular exams.
I was told I have early AMD. Will AREDS2 stop it from getting worse?
NEI's patient page says the supplements cannot prevent early AMD from developing into intermediate AMD. The Cochrane estimate for early AMD is about 4 fewer cases of late AMD per 1,000 people. Ask your eye doctor how often to come back so any change in stage can be caught.
Can AREDS2 improve my vision or reverse AMD?
No. The trials measured whether AMD moved to a later stage. NEI says the supplements may delay progression from intermediate to advanced AMD and may help people keep their vision longer. That is different from improving vision or undoing damage.
I smoke, or used to. Does that change anything?
Yes, in two ways. Smoking is an AMD risk factor, and quitting is on NEI's list of choices that may lower risk. And if your eye doctor does suggest a supplement, NEI says current and former smokers should take the AREDS2 formula, not the original AREDS formula. AREDS2 found more lung cancers in former smokers taking the original formula's carotenoid, which is one reason it was replaced with lutein and zeaxanthin. Our article on AREDS2 safety explains other cautions. If you are comparing formulas, our science page lists the doses used in the trials.
Related reading
- Nutrition and eye health: what the research shows
- The AREDS and AREDS2 trials explained
- What Is AREDS2 and Who Needs It?
- The symptoms of macular degeneration: what to watch for
- Can you get AREDS2 nutrients from food?
References
- National Eye Institute. AREDS/AREDS2 frequently asked questions (updated November 19, 2020). nei.nih.gov
- National Eye Institute. About AREDS and AREDS2 (updated October 22, 2025). nei.nih.gov
- National Eye Institute. Nutritional supplements for age-related macular degeneration (updated June 22, 2021). nei.nih.gov
- National Eye Institute. Age-related macular degeneration (updated June 22, 2021). nei.nih.gov
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Vitamins for AMD (August 19, 2026). aao.org
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye exams 101. aao.org
- Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. AREDS report no. 8. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417-1436. doi:10.1001/archopht.119.10.1417
- Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2013;309(19):2005-2015. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.4997
- Evans JR, Lawrenson JG. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;7:CD000253. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000253.pub4
- Evans JR, Lawrenson JG. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;9:CD000254. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000254.pub5
- Keenan TD, Agrón E, Mares J, et al. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and progression to late age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies 1 and 2. Ophthalmology. 2020;127(11):1515-1528. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.04.030
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with your eye doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you smoke, take other medicines, or have a health condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. TruVista products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
