Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains the leading cause of central vision loss among older Americans, affecting approximately 28 million people across the United States. This progressive condition affects the central part of your retina, or the macula and fovea.
As AMD progresses, it can severely affect central vision in one or both eyes, making everyday tasks like driving, reading, or recognizing the faces of loved ones incredibly difficult. About 8 out of 10 individuals diagnosed with AMD have the dry form, which often starts silently as tiny yellow deposits, called drusen, build up under the retina. While early stages may go unnoticed, a growing number of larger drusen can trigger intermediate stages, leading to blurred spots in your central vision that risk advancing without proactive management.
Fortunately, scientific studies keep advancing to help patients protect their Vision Healthspan. Today, we are excited to introduce you to a new formula that supports people with AMD: PreserVision® AREDS3 by Bausch & Lomb.
What is AREDS3 and How Does It Support Eye Health?
For years, the National Eye Institute’s landmark AREDS and AREDS2 clinical trials established the gold standard for using targeted micronutrients to slow the progression of mild to intermediate AMD to advanced or wet AMD. The newly developed PreserVision® AREDS3 formula builds directly upon that trusted foundation, offering advanced, triple-action support for your eyes:
- Protects: It keeps the core AREDS2 protective nutrients (like lutein and zeaxanthin) to neutralize free radicals and replenish the macula’s natural light filter, but with a lower, safer level of zinc to address potential toxicity concerns.
- Nourishes: It introduces a research-backed, unique B-vitamin complex specifically designed to promote and sustain healthy cellular eye function.
- Boosts: Pharmacokinetic data shows the new softgel formulation provides two times better absorption of the crucial macular carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, compared to the original AREDS2 softgels.
AREDS2 vs. AREDS3: Understanding the Evolution
The fundamental difference between these two formulas lies in the scope of stages they support and the addition of cellular-level nutrients:
- The Nutrient Upgrades: While AREDS2 relies strictly on its core 6 vitamins and minerals, AREDS3 adds a complete complex of 8 different B vitamins: thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), vitamin B6, biotin (B7), folate (B9), and vitamin B12.
- Broader Stage Support: AREDS2 supplements are recommended to lower the risk of advanced progression for individuals already experiencing moderate-to-advanced AMD. In contrast, the updated AREDS3 formula is intentionally designed to help support eye health and reduce progression risks across all stages of AMD.
Large randomized clinical trials—most notably the Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study (WAFACS) revealed that specific B-vitamin supplementation (B6, B9, and B12) was associated with a 34% decreased risk of developing AMD and a 41% reduced risk of progressing to advanced stages compared to placebo. The B-vitamin concentrations in the AREDS3 supplements are the same as those used in the WAFACS study. B-vitamins have been shown to help other ocular diseases like glaucoma risk and progression. Also, deficiencies in B vitamins, specifically B12, can be linked to higher risk of AMD and glaucoma. If you are worried about your levels, you can ask your primary care doctor to check your vitamin levels.
Where to Find It & Next Steps
PreserVision® AREDS3 eye vitamins are already available over-the-counter online and in the eye care aisles of most major nationwide retailers, including Amazon, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart. Learn more about the product directly on the official PreserVision® AREDS3 product page.
It is important to remember that while advanced nutritional supplements are powerful tools to help slow the course of macular disease, they are not a cure. You can read more about managing this condition on our Macular Degeneration Awareness page. You can also read our recent newsletter about the Alcon Valeda photomodulation device which can be helpful in dry AMD.
Because every individual’s retina is entirely unique, you should always consult your eye care provider before changing your supplement regimen. If you or a loved one wants to explore how the new AREDS3 formula fits into your eye care journey, please reach out to us. Call our office today at (804) 270-3333 to book a consultation with Dr. Pradhan. We are here to protect your long-term Vision Healthspan.
Sources:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/vitamins-amd
https://www.preservision.com/products/areds3-formula-eye-vitamins
https://www.preservision.com/faq
https://www.preservision.com/products/areds3-formula-eye-vitamins
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40123-025-01281-1