Vitamins and Eye Health: Cataract, Macular Degeneration and Dry Eye
What trials and Cochrane reviews found about vitamins for macular degeneration, cataract and dry eye, what the AREDS formulas are, vitamin A deficiency and eyes, and safety points.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Sudden loss of vision, a dark curtain over part of your sight, new flashes or floaters, or severe eye pain need urgent medical care the same day. Go to an emergency department or call 911 (US). For ongoing changes in vision, see an eye care professional; no vitamin replaces an eye exam. This page is information only, and a clinician or pharmacist can advise on supplements for your situation.
What the research found
| Question | What the source found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Slowing AMD that has already started | A Cochrane review found people taking antioxidant vitamins were less likely to progress to late AMD (odds ratio 0.72), drawn largely from one large trial in a relatively well-nourished American population. [2] | Evidence in adequately nourished people |
| Preventing AMD in the first place | Another Cochrane review (five trials, 76,756 people) concluded that taking vitamin E or beta-carotene supplements will not prevent or delay the onset of AMD. [3] | No good evidence of benefit |
| Lutein and zeaxanthin or omega-3 added to the AREDS formula | In AREDS2 (4,203 people aged 50 to 85 at risk of advanced AMD), adding either or both did not further reduce progression in the primary analyses. [4] | No good evidence of added benefit |
| Cataract | Cochrane (nine trials, 117,272 people) found no evidence that antioxidant vitamin supplements reduce the risk of cataract. [5] AREDS2 lutein/zeaxanthin had no significant effect on cataract surgery. [6] | No good evidence of benefit |
| A daily multivitamin and cataract | In 14,641 male US physicians, 872 cataracts occurred on multivitamin and 945 on placebo (hazard ratio 0.91), with no significant effect on visually significant AMD. [7] | Promising but limited (men only, one trial) |
| Dry eye | A systematic review of 13 oral-vitamin studies (vitamins A, B1, B12 and D) found the evidence limited and none judged high quality. [8] | Insufficient evidence |
| Vitamin D for dry eye | A meta-analysis of eight studies (439 cases) reported better tear production and tear-film stability, and called vitamin D a possible adjuvant treatment. [9] | Promising but limited |
| Vitamin C for dry eye | The same systematic review found no studies on vitamin C supplementation. [8] | Proper evidence not found |
For dry eye, a 2026 review concluded that supplementation may benefit selected patients but clinical findings remain heterogeneous. [10] It said nutrition should be complementary, not a primary intervention. [10]
The AREDS formulas
The AREDS studies tested fixed combinations of nutrients. The NEI lists the commercially available formulas based on them this way. [1] These are the study formulations, not advice.| Nutrient | AREDS formula | AREDS2 formula |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 500 mg | 500 mg |
| Vitamin E | 400 IU | 400 IU |
| Beta-carotene | 15 mg | none |
| Copper | 2 mg | 2 mg |
| Lutein | none | 10 mg |
| Zeaxanthin | none | 2 mg |
| Zinc | 80 mg | 80 mg |
The NEI adds that copper was added to avoid zinc-related copper deficiency, and that the original formula with beta-carotene is not recommended for current or former smokers. [1] In AREDS2, more lung cancers were noted in the beta carotene group, mostly in former smokers. [4] See antioxidant evidence by use and zinc.
Vitamin A deficiency and the eye
Vitamin A is needed for vision in dim light, according to the NHS. [11] Xerophthalmia is a vision-threatening eye condition caused by vitamin A deficiency. [12] A systematic review of 61 children in high-income countries found restrictive diets were the most common cause (75%). [12] This is an established deficiency situation that needs a clinician, not self-treatment. See vitamin A.Frequently asked questions
Do vitamins prevent macular degeneration?
Trials found they do not. A Cochrane review concluded that vitamin E or beta-carotene supplements will not prevent or delay the onset of AMD. [3]
What are the AREDS formulas for?
They were tested in people with intermediate AMD and reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD by about 25 percent. [1]
Do vitamins help cataracts?
Cochrane found no evidence that antioxidant vitamin supplements prevent cataract. [5] One trial found fewer cataracts with a daily multivitamin in male physicians. [7]
Can vitamin D help dry eye?
A meta-analysis found better tear production, but the authors said more studies on administration and dosage are needed. [9]
Is it safe to take AREDS-type supplements if I smoke?
The NEI says the original AREDS formula with beta-carotene is not recommended for current or former smokers. [1] Ask an eye doctor or pharmacist.
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: established nutritional role / deficiency treatment, evidence in adequately nourished people, promising but limited, mixed, insufficient evidence, no good evidence of benefit, evidence of harm.
Safety and who should ask a clinician
- Smokers and former smokers: beta-carotene raised lung cancer risk in trials. [1] See vitamins and cancer prevention.
- Too much preformed vitamin A: the NHS says that averaging more than 1.5 mg (1,500 micrograms) a day over many years may make bones more likely to fracture, and that people who are pregnant should avoid liver and liver products. [11] See vitamin A excess and pregnancy.
- Medicines, surgery, kidney or liver disease: ask before starting high-dose supplements, including before cataract surgery. See medication interactions and vitamins before surgery.
References
- National Eye Institute (NEI), NIH. AREDS/AREDS2 Clinical Trials. Read 2026-10-23.
- Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2017. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.
- Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age-related macular degeneration. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2017. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.
- 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. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.
- Antioxidant vitamin supplementation for preventing and slowing the progression of age-related cataract. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2012. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.
- Lutein/zeaxanthin for the treatment of age-related cataract: AREDS2 randomized trial report no. 4. JAMA ophthalmology 2013. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effects of multivitamin supplement on cataract and age-related macular degeneration in a randomized trial of male physicians. Ophthalmology 2014. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.
- The Efficacy of Oral Vitamin Supplementation in Dry Eye Disease: A Systematic Review. Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) 2026. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.
- The efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in dry eye disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Contact lens & anterior eye : the journal of the British Contact Lens Association 2024. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.
- Vitamins and Supplementation in Dry Eye Disease: Current Evidence and Clinical Implications according to the TFOS Lifestyle Report: Nutrition: Vitaminas y suplementación en la enfermedad del ojo seco: evidencia actual e implicaciones clínicas según el informe TFOS Lifestyle: Nutrición. Archivos de la Sociedad Espanola de Oftalmologia 2026. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS. Vitamin A. Read 2026-10-23.
- Xerophthalmia and ocular manifestations of vitamin A deficiency in children in high-income countries: A systematic review. Survey of ophthalmology 2026. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-23.