Vision Support

What this is. Lutein, zinc and eye nutrients, taken for long-term eye health and by people doing a lot of screen time.

The biggest number on this panel is zinc at 40 mg. The ingredient people shop this category for is lutein, and there is 1 mg of it — the AREDS2 trial formula used 10 mg.

What you are actually getting, per 1 capsule

• Vitamin C — 250 mg
• Vitamin E — 15 mg
• Zinc (as citrate) — 40 mg
• Copper — 0.45 mg
• Bilberry — 100 mg
• Eyebright (10:1 extract) — 5 mg
• Lutein (5%) — 1 mg

Eyebright is a 10:1 extract, so 5 mg is the equivalent of about 50 mg of the dried herb. Bilberry carries no ratio and no anthocyanin percentage, so its 100 mg is a weight rather than a dose. Lutein is written on the panel as 5%, 1 mg. The front of the bottle reads that as 1 mg of lutein and we have listed it the same way — but if the 1 mg is instead the weight of a 5% preparation, the lutein would be about 0.05 mg. The panel is not explicit, and we would rather point that out than quietly pick the flattering reading.

Worth knowing before you buy

The AREDS2 trial formula contained 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin, along with 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper. This capsule has 1 mg of lutein, no zeaxanthin at all, 250 mg of vitamin C, 15 mg of vitamin E, 40 mg of zinc and 0.45 mg of copper. It is below that formula on every ingredient the two have in common, and it is missing one of them entirely.

So this is not an AREDS2 formula and we are not going to present it as one. What it is: a zinc and vitamin C capsule with bilberry, eyebright and a trace of lutein. If you want the trial formula, look for a label that prints 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin on the front.

How to take it

One capsule a day with water. Thirty capsules, so one a day is 30 days.

Other ingredients

Gelatin. The capsule is gelatin, which is animal-derived, so this is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. The panel does not state the animal source of the gelatin. It declares no allergens.

Cautions

40 mg of zinc in one capsule is at the tolerable upper intake level commonly set for adults, so count anything else you take that contains zinc — a multivitamin, a cold remedy — towards that total rather than on top of it. Zinc taken at high levels over long periods lowers copper status, which is why formulas pair the two; there is 0.45 mg of copper here against the 2 mg in AREDS2. Zinc also reduces the absorption of tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics, so separate them by at least two hours. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not use if the safety seal is damaged or missing. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not exceed the recommended dose. If you are pregnant, nursing, under 18, taking prescription medication or living with a medical condition, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting this or any supplement.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.