AREDS vs AREDS2 Explained

Understand the key differences between AREDS and AREDS2, who was studied, and why the findings should not be generalized to every eye supplement.

AREDS and AREDS2 were large National Eye Institute studies of nutritional formulations and age-related macular degeneration. Their findings are important—and frequently overgeneralized.

The major formulation change

AREDS2 evaluated lutein and zeaxanthin as a replacement for beta-carotene, among other changes. NEI notes a lung-cancer concern with beta-carotene in current and former smokers.

Who was studied?

AREDS2 enrolled people with intermediate AMD in both eyes or intermediate AMD in one eye and advanced AMD in the other. People without AMD or with early AMD were excluded because earlier data had not shown benefit for them.

Why this matters when shopping

A product containing lutein and zeaxanthin is not automatically an “AREDS2 equivalent.” Compare the entire formula and amounts.