AGE-RELATED EYE DISEASE STUDY (AREDS)

AREDS showed that certain vitamins and minerals slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was designed to evaluate the effects of nutritional supplement containing the combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc and copper formulation on the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AREDS is a major clinical trial sponsored by the United State National Eye Institute. This major clinical trial closely followed about 3,600 participants with varying stages of AMD. Results from the study showed that this combination significantly reduced the risk of advanced AMD by about 25% and its associated vision loss by 19% over a five-year period.

LUTEIN ANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENTATION TRIAL (LAST)

The benefit of lutein supplementation for eye health was shown by a study known as the “Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial” (LAST). This study showed a statistically significant improvement in visual function, glare recovery, and contrast sensitivity.

In this study, the participants were split into groups, and given different nutrient combinations. Participants received 10 mg of lutein alone, 10 mg of lutein along with antioxidants*, or a placebo.

Participants who were given lutein, and lutein plus antioxidants showed a 50% increase in average macular pigment optical density over 12 months, compared to the placebo group. Both the lutein and the lutein/antioxidant treatments significantly improved some measures of visual function, including glare recovery, contrast sensitivity, and visual acuity.

*A multiple vitamin and mineral supplement including high potency antioxidants such as vitamins C, E and zinc.