Supplements for eye health
Lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3, and what AREDS2 actually showed.
AREDS2 confirmed lutein 10 mg + zeaxanthin 2 mg + zinc 25 mg + vitamin C 500 mg + vitamin E 400 IU reduces progression of intermediate-to-advanced AMD by ~25%. Adding omega-3 enhances macular pigment optical density (LUTEGA trial). Bilberry has small recent vision trials but evidence is preliminary. Avoid: standalone beta-carotene at AREDS doses if you smoke (lung cancer signal in CARET, ATBC). Astaxanthin has small eye-fatigue trials but the AMD data is thin.
77
Vitamin D3 liquid drops
75
DHA (standalone, algal)
75
Algal DHA (vegan omega-3)
73
Vitamin A (retinol, low-dose)
69
Lutein + Zeaxanthin
68
Zeaxanthin (standalone)
68
Lutein (standalone)
67
Bilberry extract
66
Omega-3 DHA-dominant
64
Idebenone
62
Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
62
Hawthorn berry (Crataegus)
60
St. John's Wort
60
White willow bark (Salix alba)
60
Lycium barbarum (goji berry extract, standardised)
59
Berberis aristata (Indian barberry)
58
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
58
Blackcurrant extract
58
Potassium gluconate
58
Calamari oil (high-DHA)
56
Mixed carotenoids
56
Ginkgo biloba EGb 761
56
Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis)
55
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)
54
Sea buckthorn oil (full spectrum)
Educational reference, not medical advice. Discuss any supplement change with a qualified clinician before acting on this list.