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VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS · GUIDE

Omega-3 and Macular Degeneration: AREDS2 and Other Eye Research

AREDS2 and other trials found that adding omega-3 to eye vitamins did not slow age-related macular degeneration. See what studies of eating fish suggest and where the evidence stops.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

Back to Omega Fatty Acids Explained: Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9
Quick answer
In the large AREDS2 trial, adding fish-oil omega-3 (EPA and DHA) to the eye vitamin formula did not further reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). [1] A Cochrane review and a second large trial (VITAL) also found no benefit from omega-3 supplements. [2][3] Studies of people who eat more omega-3 in food find lower AMD risk, but those are observational and cannot show cause. [4]

What AMD is and what is known to help

AMD is an eye disease that can blur central vision as aging damages the macula. The National Eye Institute says special dietary supplements (vitamins and minerals) may stop intermediate AMD from turning into late AMD, and that wet AMD has other treatments such as eye injections. [5] Those vitamins and minerals are covered on antioxidant evidence by use, including AREDS2. NCCIH says AREDS2 also tested adding EPA and DHA to that formula and found no added benefit. [6]

What the research found

5 findings · 1 mixed · 4 limited or unclearThe colour follows the evidence label on each card.

  1. Adding omega-3 to the AREDS formula (AREDS2)

    No good evidence of benefit

    4,203 people aged 50 to 85 at risk of advanced AMD took DHA 350 mg plus EPA 650 mg a day (study amounts) or placebo; over a median 5 years, 31% progressed to advanced AMD with omega-3 and 31% with placebo (HR 0.97, 98.7% CI 0.82 to 1.16) [1]

  2. Ten-year follow-up of AREDS2

    No good evidence of benefit

    Omega-3 versus no omega-3: HR for late AMD 1.01 (95% CI 0.93 to 1.09) [7]

  3. Cochrane review of trials (2015)

    No good evidence of benefit

    2 trials, 2,343 people with AMD: no change in progression to advanced AMD (pooled HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.10) and no difference in serious adverse events in the US study [2]

  4. Preventing AMD in the general older population (VITAL)

    No good evidence of benefit

    25,871 US adults took 1 g a day of marine omega-3 or placebo for a median 5.3 years: HR 0.94 (95% CI 0.76 to 1.17) for AMD events [3]

  5. Dietary intake (observational)

    Mixed (observational)

    A 2024 meta-analysis found higher omega-3 intake linked to lower AMD risk (odds ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.88) [4]

The Cochrane authors concluded in 2015 that the evidence available then did not support increasing omega-3 intake for the explicit purpose of preventing or slowing AMD, and noted no published trials of dietary omega-3 for primary prevention. [2] The difference between the food studies and the supplement trials may reflect other habits of people who eat more fish; that is a possible explanation, not something the sources prove.

Cataract and other eye conditions

Proper evidence not found: randomized trials of omega-3 for cataract. We searched PubMed for omega-3 and cataract and found only observational diet studies and an AREDS2 report on lutein and zeaxanthin, not omega-3. NCCIH says only a few studies of omega-3 for retinitis pigmentosa exist and show no clear benefit. [6] Dry eye is covered on omega-3 for dry eye and the DREAM trial.

Frequently asked questions

Does omega-3 help macular degeneration?

Trials found no benefit: AREDS2 and a Cochrane review showed no effect on progression to advanced AMD. [1][2]

Is omega-3 part of the AREDS2 formula?

AREDS2 tested adding omega-3 (and, separately, lutein with zeaxanthin) to the formula; omega-3 added no benefit. [6]

Can omega-3 prevent AMD?

In VITAL, 1 g a day of marine omega-3 did not significantly change AMD events. [3]

Does eating fish protect against AMD?

Observational studies link higher intake to lower risk, but trials of supplements did not confirm a benefit. [4]

Does omega-3 help cataracts?

Proper evidence not found in the trials we looked for.

More details: evidence, limits and cautions

The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.

How to read the evidence labels

Labels used on this page: no good evidence of benefit, mixed, insufficient evidence, and Proper evidence not found. Study amounts are study amounts, not advice. AMD can damage central vision, so changes in vision need an eye examination, not a supplement trial.

Safety and who should ask first
Serious adverse events were similar between omega-3 and placebo in the US trial in the Cochrane review. [2] A caution about the vitamin formula, not omega-3: AREDS2 noted more lung cancers with beta carotene, mostly in former smokers, so ask an eye doctor which AREDS formula is appropriate. [1] Prescribing information for a prescription omega-3 medicine notes longer bleeding time in some studies and advises monitoring with blood thinners. [8] Tell the surgical team, including for eye surgery, about any omega-3 product. Pregnant or breastfeeding people and people with fish allergy should ask a clinician first. Do not delay eye examinations or prescribed treatment. See medication interactions, omega-3 safety and interactions and hearing and vision changes with age.
References
  1. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group et al. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2013. Read 2026-10-23.
  2. Lawrenson JG et al. Omega 3 fatty acids for preventing or slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015. Read 2026-10-23.
  3. Christen WG et al. Effect of Vitamin D and ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Ancillary Study of the VITAL Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol 2020. Read 2026-10-23.
  4. Lee Y et al. Association between fatty acid intake and age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis. Front Nutr 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
  5. National Eye Institute. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Read 2026-10-23.
  6. NCCIH. Omega-3 Supplements: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-23.
  7. Chew EY et al. Long-term Outcomes of Adding Lutein/Zeaxanthin and ω-3 Fatty Acids to the AREDS Supplements on Age-Related Macular Degeneration Progression: AREDS2 Report 28. JAMA Ophthalmol 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
  8. DailyMed (US National Library of Medicine). Prescribing information for a prescription icosapent ethyl medicine. Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.