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Research · Randomized controlled trial

A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8

What it found

Antioxidants + zinc cut the odds of progressing to advanced AMD by ~25% (OR 0.72) in high-risk participants over ~6 years.

Design
Randomized controlled trial
Year
2001
Sample size
3,640
Population
adults aged 55–80 with varying severity of AMD
Intervention
antioxidant vitamins (C, E, beta-carotene) and/or zinc 80 mg + copper vs placebo
Outcome
progression to advanced AMD and vision loss
Journal
Archives of Ophthalmology

Citation last checked 2026-06-21.