To ensure PreserVision® eye vitamins are taken as directed, please refer to the directions for use on the product label:

Our PreserVision® AREDS 2 Formula eye vitamin mini soft gels and PreserVision AREDS 2 + Multivitamin Formula eye vitamin soft gels are directed to be taken twice a day with food; one mini soft gel in the morning and one mini soft gel in the evening.

The AREDS2 Formula is a specific combination of high-dose vitamins and minerals that has been scientifically proven to help reduce the risk of moderate to advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).*

The key ingredients found in most PreserVision AREDS 2 formulations include:

• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Zinc
• Copper

Some products may also include:

• CoQ10
• a Multivitamin blend

When taking vitamin and mineral supplements, constipation, diarrhea, or upset stomach may occur.

Important note (medications and supplements):

Many older Americans take prescription medications, and a considerable number of them use over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements and herbal medicines.

Interaction guidance:

• Supplemental nutrients can sometimes interfere with medications and compete with other vital nutrients for absorption into the body
• Individuals who are considering taking an AREDS formulation should discuss this with their primary care doctor and/or eye care professional.

• The Bausch + Lomb PreserVision® AREDS and PreserVision® AREDS 2 Formula eye vitamin & mineral supplements contain combinations and levels of nutrients studied by the National Eye Institute in the landmark Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS and AREDS2).
• The PreserVision® AREDS Formula includes beta-carotene, which is not appropriate for current or former smokers.
• The PreserVision® AREDS 2 Formula is based on the AREDS2 clinical trial program conducted by the NEI and is recommended for patients with moderate to advanced AMD, including smokers and non-smokers because it does not contain beta-carotene.
• The newer formulation removed beta-carotene due to the increased risk of adverse events in smoker populations.
• The AREDS2 clinical studies suggest similar effects by replacing the beta-carotene with 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin.
• For more information on each study, please visit: www.preservision.com/areds-studies.

During the first AREDS trial, researchers tested four nutrient formulas with different levels of vitamins and minerals: zinc alone, antioxidants alone, a combination of antioxidants plus zinc, and a placebo.

What the study found (5 years):

Participants who took antioxidants plus 80 mg of zinc had the lowest risk of AMD progression to the advanced stage.

What NEI recommends:

Based on these findings, the National Eye Institute (NEI) recommends a vitamin formula that contains 80 mg zinc.

PreserVision AREDS3 Eye Vitamins contain 25 mg of zinc in a daily dose (2 soft gels per day with 12.5 mg each), compared with 80 mg in the PreserVision AREDS 2 formulations (2 soft gels per day with 40 mg each). The lower zinc level was selected based on findings from the AREDS2 study, which showed no statistically significant difference in outcomes between the higher 80 mg and lower 25 mg zinc doses.

The updated formulation reflects both the findings from AREDS2 and feedback from eye care professionals. PreserVision AREDS3 Eye Vitamins continue to provide the key AREDS2 nutrients in a science-backed formulation, while also providing an option for the small subset of individuals who may be sensitive to higher levels of zinc.