The Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 also known as AREDS2, is a revolutionary study that definitively demonstrated that dietary supplements were shown to slow age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. Researchers concluded at the end of the five-year AREDS2 study that lutein and zeaxanthin don't increase lung cancer risk, and the new formulation can reduce AMD progression by about 26%. It is recommended to take 10 mg/day of lutein and 2 mg/day of zeaxanthin to improve eye health. Our optometrists recommend taking AREDS2 vitamins for any patient with a higher risk profile of macular degeneration or early stages of macular degeneration. While these supplements do not prevent macular degeneration, their demonstrated efficacy at reducing the risk of progression is extremely important in preventing the leading cause of permanent vision loss for those over 50.