Supplements

[roynett]

Hi can I please ask a question, when the eye professionals talk about Areds 1 and Areds 2, what do they mean. Thank you

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Hello roynett,

They are referring to the two supplement formulas that arose as a result of the Age Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS); two trials that were conducted in America, and that were looking at the potential benefits of vitamins, minerals, anti oxidants, and their ability to slow down the rate of progression of AMD.

AREDS 2 is the formula that is now advocated. This superseded AREDS 1.

Our following webinars may be interesting for you to listen to, as they explain more about nutrition and supplements:

macularsociety.org/support/...

macularsociety.org/support/...

macularsociety.org/support/...

The following link may also be of interest:

rcophth.ac.uk/wp-content/up...

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists

Commissioning Guidance

Age Related Macular Degeneration Services: Recommendations

Date of Publication: May 2024

Date of Review: May 2025

8. Care pathway 8.1 General recommendations for all AMD patients

2. Nutrition and supplements – A healthy diet, rich in fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, and oily fish is recommended. Licensed formulations of multivitamin supplements containing the AREDS2 formulation are not available on prescription within the NHS. Patients may choose to source these over-the-counter supplements independently. The original AREDS formulation consisting of vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, and zinc reduced the 5-year risk of developing late AMD in persons at risk by an estimated 25%. These include those with either bilateral large drusen or large drusen in one eye and late AMD in the fellow eye. The AREDS 2 study corroborated these findings and recommended switching beta-carotene to lutein and zeaxanthin in former smokers.

Kind regards,

Macular Society Helpline

0300 3030 111

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