Why AREDS 2?
If your optician has mentioned AREDS 2, here's what it actually is, what the research shows, and why getting the genuine formula matters.
What is AREDS 2?
AREDS 2 isn't really a brand – it's a specific recipe. It's the exact combination of vitamins and minerals tested by the US National Eye Institute in the AREDS2 clinical trial (published in 2013) to see whether they could help people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PreserVision AREDS 2 by Bausch + Lomb is the supplement that matches that formula precisely – which is why it's the version so many opticians point people towards.
What's in the formula
Six nutrients, at the exact levels used in the AREDS2 study.
Vitamin C
An antioxidant that helps protect cells from everyday oxidative stress.
Vitamin E
Works alongside vitamin C to help neutralise free radicals.
Lutein
A carotenoid naturally concentrated in the macula, the centre of your vision.
Zeaxanthin
Partners with lutein to form the eye's protective macular pigment.
Zinc
An essential mineral for the retina and a cornerstone of the AREDS research.
Copper
Included to keep things balanced, as a high zinc intake can lower copper.
What the research actually found
In people who already had intermediate AMD, or advanced AMD in one eye, the AREDS formula was shown to reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD by around 25% over five years. The follow-up AREDS2 study then refined the recipe – swapping beta-carotene for lutein and zeaxanthin – which removed a lung-cancer risk for smokers while keeping the protective benefit.
It's not a cure, and it can't undo damage that's already happened – but for the right people, it's one of the few nutritional steps with solid clinical evidence behind it.
How it supports your eyes
Supports the macula
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the same pigments your macula uses to protect your central, detailed vision.
Antioxidant defence
Vitamins C and E, plus zinc, help defend cells against the oxidative stress eyes face every day.
The studied formula
One daily routine that matches the AREDS2 trial – no guesswork, no mixing separate supplements.
Is AREDS 2 right for you?
We'd rather be straight with you than oversell. The benefit in the research was seen in people who already have intermediate or advanced AMD. AREDS 2 has not been shown to prevent AMD in healthy eyes, or to help in the earliest stages – so it isn't a general "eye multivitamin" for everyone. The best person to tell you whether it's right for you is your optician or ophthalmologist. If they've recommended it, we're here to make getting the genuine product simple and affordable.
Why the genuine formula matters
AREDS 2 is a long-term, daily supplement – so the correct, clinically-studied doses really do matter. We import authentic Bausch + Lomb PreserVision AREDS 2, hold it in UK stock, and ship it free, so getting the real thing is straightforward and affordable. More about how we work.
AREDS 2 PreserVision is a food supplement and is not a substitute for a varied diet or for medical advice. Always speak to your optician or GP before starting, especially if you take other medication or supplements.
Genuine AREDS 2, ready to ship
Three pack sizes, free UK Tracked delivery on every order.
