Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Americans over age 60. Fortunately, researchers have not identified the nutrients that can help guard against this serious eye disease. In 2001, the National Eye Institute completed a large ten-year study— the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). AREDS proved that people at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD lowered their risk by about 25% when treated with certain antioxidant vitamins and minerals.Viteyes® is Formulated to Protect Your Vision The identical AREDS formula—the one recommended by the National Eye Institute is used in Viteyes® AREDS, AREDS Plus Lutein, AREDS Advanced and AREDS Powder. (Viteyes® Plus Lutein Beta-Carotene Free and Viteyes® Advanced Beta-Carotene Free contain the AREDS formula but without beta-carotene.) What are the daily doses of the Vitamins and Minerals Recommended by AREDS? Vitamin A (beta-carotene 15 mg): 25,000 IU Vitamin C: 500 mg Vitamin E: 400 IU Zinc (zinc oxide): 80 mg Copper (cupric oxide): 2mg I’m already taking vitamins. Why do I need to take Viteyes® AREDS Formula? The National Institute’s study proved that only a specific formula effectively delayed the progression of macular degeneration. Most likely your multivitamin supplement doesn’t provide all the recommended vitamins and minerals at proper doses. To find out whether it contains the specific eye-protective formula, compare the ingredients and doses of your supplement with those recommended by the study. What is lutein? Lutein is a potent antioxidant carotenoid, found in abundance in fruits and green leafy vegetables. Lutein is also one of the dominant pigments found in the macular region of the healthy retina. Because of this, many eye doctors recommend Lutein to their patients with macular degeneration. Why wasn't lutein included in the AREDS? Lutein was not available when AREDS was started but it probably would have been included if the study were started now. What are the potential side effects of the AREDS vitamins and minerals? The AREDS participants reported few side effects from the treatments. About 7.5 percent of participants assigned to the zinc treatments -- compared with 5.0 percent who did not have zinc in their assigned treatment -- had urinary tract problems. Yellowing of the skin, a well-known side effect of large doses of beta-carotene, was reported slightly more often by participants taking antioxidants. Do the AREDS vitamins also lower the risk of developing cataracts? Despite the evidence that these nutrients did not lower the risk of cataract development over the seven-year period of the study, an effect over a longer period of time cannot be ruled out. Links: Macular Degeneration Viteyes AREDS Formulas National Eye Institute AREDS Study More AMD Info (from NEI)