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Health effect

Eye Health

An evidence guide focused on supplements and age-related macular degeneration.

Organ Function

What is AMD?

Age-related macular degeneration affects central vision. Objects may look blurred or distorted, while peripheral vision is often retained. 1

How is it assessed?

An eye examination, vision tests, and retinal imaging help establish the diagnosis and guide treatment. Wet AMD can progress rapidly and requires treatment. 1

What matters beyond supplements?

Not smoking lowers AMD risk. Medicines injected into the eye are the main treatment for wet AMD and can slow its progression. 1

Nutrients with the strongest ratings

Sorted by the largest rated effect. Bars show effect size, the letter is the evidence grade.

CarotenoidsStrongA
Vitamin AStrongA
Docosahexaenoic AcidModerateA
LuteinModerateA
ZeaxanthinModerateA
Omega Fatty AcidsModerateA
Goji BerryModerateB
Omega-3 fatty acidsModerateB
All 19 ratingsEvery nutrient rated for eye health, with search

What does the evidence cover?

This section covers the specific uses below; other supplements are not reviewed.

AREDS2 combinationSupported

The studied combination reduces progression from intermediate to advanced AMD. This supports the combination in that population, not lutein alone or prevention in healthy eyes. 2

Omega-3 fatty acidsNot supported

In AREDS research, omega-3 supplements did not benefit AMD or cataract outcomes. 2

Questions people ask

Do eye vitamins prevent AMD?

AREDS formulations do not prevent AMD onset. 2

Can they prevent cataracts?

AREDS formulations did not affect cataract outcomes. 2

Is beta-carotene suitable for smokers?

Current and former smokers should avoid the older beta-carotene formula because of increased lung cancer risk. 2

Can supplements replace wet AMD treatment?

Wet AMD is primarily treated with eye injections that inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth. 1

Sources

  2. AREDS/AREDS2 Clinical Trials National Eye Institute