Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Benefits, Dosage and the AREDS2 Formula
TPBy the TrustedPurchaseReview Editorial Team
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The short answer
Lutein and zeaxanthin are part of the AREDS2 formula from the National Eye Institute, which slows macular degeneration from the intermediate to the advanced stage. The formula uses 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin with vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and copper. According to the NEI, these supplements cannot prevent macular degeneration and showed no benefit in people with early or no macular degeneration. The AREDS2 formula replaced beta carotene, which raised lung cancer risk in people who had smoked.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are sold in most eye vitamins, often to people over 50 who worry about their vision. We read the National Eye Institute’s AREDS and AREDS2 questions and answers, the NIH report on the 10 year AREDS2 results and a Cochrane review on preventing macular degeneration. This guide is general information, not medical advice.
What Are Lutein and Zeaxanthin?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, a family of plant pigments. The NEI notes that earlier studies linked diets rich in green leafy vegetables to a lower risk of macular degeneration. They are the nutrients that the AREDS2 study added to its eye formula. The NEI says the amounts used in AREDS2 are difficult to get from diet alone, and that people with the lowest lutein and zeaxanthin in their diets benefited most from the supplements.
The AREDS2 Formula
| Nutrient | AREDS (1990s) | AREDS2 (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 500 mg | 500 mg |
| Vitamin E | 400 IU | 400 IU |
| Zinc | 80 mg | 80 mg (25 mg worked as well) |
| Copper | 2 mg | 2 mg |
| Beta carotene | 15 mg | None |
| Lutein | None | 10 mg |
| Zeaxanthin | None | 2 mg |
According to the NIH, lutein and zeaxanthin were estimated to cut the risk of progression by about 26% at the end of the five year AREDS2 study. After 10 years, people first assigned to lutein and zeaxanthin had an additional 20% lower risk of progressing to late macular degeneration than those first assigned to beta carotene. An NIH researcher summed it up: the new formula is not only safer, it is better at slowing progression.
Who Benefits?
The NEI says AREDS2 supplements benefited people with intermediate or late macular degeneration. The study enrolled only people with intermediate macular degeneration in both eyes, or intermediate in one eye and advanced in the other. People with early macular degeneration or none at all saw no benefit. Your eye doctor can tell you which stage, if any, you have.
Can Lutein Prevent Macular Degeneration?
The NEI says nutritional supplements cannot prevent macular degeneration. A 2017 Cochrane review of 5 trials with 76,756 healthy people found that vitamin E and beta carotene supplements will not prevent it, that the same probably applies to vitamin C and multivitamins, and that there is no trial evidence yet for lutein and zeaxanthin in people without the disease.
Lutein and Cataracts
The original AREDS formula had no effect on cataracts. In AREDS2, people with the lowest dietary lutein and zeaxanthin who took those nutrients had, on average, a 32% lower rate of progression to cataract surgery, according to the NEI.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Dosage
| Nutrient | Amount in AREDS2 |
|---|---|
| Lutein | 10 mg a day |
| Zeaxanthin | 2 mg a day |
These are the amounts with the strongest evidence, and they were studied as part of the full formula with vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and copper, not on their own. If you have macular degeneration, ask your eye doctor whether you should take the complete AREDS2 formula.
Safety and Smokers
In AREDS2, lung cancer occurred in 2% of people taking beta carotene versus 0.9% of those not taking it, and about 91% of those who developed lung cancer were former smokers. The NIH 10 year report found that beta carotene nearly doubled lung cancer risk in people who had ever smoked, while lutein and zeaxanthin showed no increased risk. That is why the NEI advises current and former smokers against beta carotene formulas.
Before you start
Check the full label of any eye vitamin. Some add beta carotene, which current and former smokers should avoid, or herbs such as ginkgo, which may raise bleeding risk with blood thinners. Talk to your eye doctor before starting, especially if you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration.
Products We Reviewed
| Product | Lutein and zeaxanthin | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Vision Formula | 10 mg lutein and 3 mg zeaxanthin per 2 tablets | Matches the AREDS2 lutein amount, but has less vitamin C and zinc, no vitamin E or copper, some beta carotene and ginkgo. Our score: 6/10 |
We will add more products as we review them.
Eye Vitamin Label Checklist
- Lutein and zeaxanthin in mg. Compare with 10 mg and 2 mg.
- Full AREDS2 nutrients. Check vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and copper if your eye doctor recommends the full formula.
- Beta carotene. Avoid it if you smoke or used to; “vitamin A from mixed carotenoids” can include it.
- Herbs. Ginkgo and other herbs bring their own interactions.
- Claims. Be wary of promises to restore vision or replace glasses.
FAQ
What does lutein do for the eyes?
How much lutein should I take a day?
Can lutein prevent macular degeneration?
Is lutein safe for smokers?
Does lutein help cataracts?
⭐ Our pick
If you want lutein and zeaxanthin at the AREDS2 amounts in a broader eye formula, this is the product we reviewed. If you have macular degeneration, ask your eye doctor about the full AREDS2 formula instead.
Advanced Vision Formula 6/10
10 mg of lutein and 3 mg of zeaxanthin plus 13 other printed nutrients, a one time purchase and a 90 day guarantee. It contains ginkgo and some beta carotene, so read our safety notes first.
Sources
- National Eye Institute: AREDS/AREDS2 Frequently Asked Questions.
- National Institutes of Health: NIH study confirms benefit of supplements for slowing age related macular degeneration, June 2, 2022.
- Evans JR, Lawrenson JG. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017.
About the editorial team
Written by the TrustedPurchaseReview editorial team. We read official labels and sales pages and check them against published research and government sources. We do not buy or test the products ourselves. We earn affiliate commissions on some links, and ratings are not for sale.
Questions or corrections? Contact us.
This guide is informational and not medical advice. Talk to your eye doctor before starting supplements, especially if you have macular degeneration or take medicine.