AREDS 2

[EthelPledge94]

Hi everyone I have regular Eyelea injections in both eyes and my sight is still reasonable. I also have ocular hypertension and use drops for high eye pressure. I have been taking Macusave for a couple of years now. They are all so expensive so which products do you take and recommend? Many thanks.

[tallyho]

I think it depends on what is wrong with your eyes as Eylea and other IVT’s are used for a couple of eye conditions

[Carol_MacularSociety Partner]

Dear EthelPledge94,

It may be worth asking your consultant if they feel the AREDS2 supplements are still of benefit to you. Generally, there is no evidence that a supplement is beneficial if you have active wet macular degeneration. However, this guidance may change with time as there have been recent changes to guidance for those with late stage dry AMD.

The talk from our 2024 Conference by Professor Ruth Hogg on the impact of diet and nutrition on AMD may be of interest

macularsociety.org/support/...

For more information on the AREDS2 study

nei.nih.gov/research/clinic...

These links may also be of interest

macularsociety.org/support/...

macularsociety.org/about/me...

The Macular Society Helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111. Alternatively, you can contact us via: [e-mail]

Best wishes,

Carol

Macular Society Helpline

[fed13]

I clicked on like and up came unlike. Is it me or a glitch in the system. This happens a lot, not just on this site. I don't use AREDS; I just eat a good diet. Am I wrong here?

[Carol_MacularSociety Partner in reply to fed13]

Dear fed13,

The AREDS 2 results suggest that diet alone cannot provide the same high levels of vitamins and minerals as the AREDS2 formula. However, previous studies have suggested that people who have diets rich in green, leafy vegetables—a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin—have a lower risk of developing AMD. The vegetables which have the highest amount of lutein are kale, red pepper, spinach, lettuce, leek, broccoli and peas. Zeaxanthin is also found in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables such as sweetcorn and orange peppers.

Please refer to our nutrition information for further details

macularsociety.org/support/...

Best wishes,

Carol

Macular Society Helpline

[fed13 in reply to Carol_MacularSociety]

Thank you!

[EthelPledge94]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Very interesting and helpful. I will watch ⌚️

[EthelPledge94 in reply to EthelPledge94]

I will watch the videos.

[Lupin1587]

Hi Ethel

I take lutein and Zeaxanthin supplement for vitabiontics. I also try and eat green leafy veg and have eggs for lutein from the yolks. I did ask about vitamins at city hospital but was only told it's best to get your vitamins from food. I have eyelea regularly too. I have raised pressure ( 2 different drops 3 times a day) and a BRVO also have dry eye drops - 6 of them a day.

[Lupin1587]

Vitabiontics from their website as it's usually cheaper.

[EthelPledge94 in reply to Lupin1587]

I have choroidal retinal neovascularisation/exudative AMD and occular hypertension. It's a bit of a mouthful isn't it!!!

[Lupin1587]

It is. I have occular hypertension too with macular odema. Mostly I just say I have a problem with my eyes or a visual impairment. It's easier!

[Shimano]

boots do a supplement called Opti-health which is more reasonable. You get three boxes for price of two. It has similar ingredients of Lutin etc as more expensive products. Used it for last ten years.

[EthelPledge94 in reply to Shimano]

I'll look. Thanks x

[fed13 in reply to Shimano]

Thank you!

[StokeySue]

AREDS2 is a lottery, it may well help the effects of geographic atrophy aka "dry" developing as one gets older, but in any individual it's really not passible to tell if it is doing any good

In the clinical trials which used thousands of patients, taking the supplements long term had, on average, slightly better preservation of their sight over time, but the difference i s not dramatic, it's not a treatment, just a bit of prophylaxis to prevent future damage.

I take Macusave, here in the UK it seems to be the cheapest reputable form of the 10:10:2 supplement (10 mg zeaxanthin: 10 mg meso-zeaxanthin: 2 mg lutein. If nothing else, it helps psychologically that I feel I am doing what I can, but eating a healthy diet and staying fit as possible may well be as useful