Lutein and zeaxanthin | Research and limitations

1 detailed study records

Key findings from detailed records

Population: 4,203 adults aged 50–85 at risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration Findings: The primary analysis found no significant additional reduction in progression risk (HR 0.90, 98.7% CI 0.76–1.07). Replacement of beta-carotene is a separate question.

Edited by LÍFSVARÐASources reviewed: 2026-09-21Updated: 2026-10-24Estimated reading time: 6 min

KNOWLEDGE RECORD

Category: Vision and cognition
Last Reviewed: 2026-09-21

Names and related search termsLutein and zeaxanthin / Lutein / Zeaxanthin / AREDS2

Study type: human intervention study.

Explore 10 papers by research question ↓

OUTCOME-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE

Scientific Evidence Profile

Assessment pending

An outcome-specific assessment has not yet been completed. This is not a finding that the ingredient is ineffective. The study records below remain available.

This profile concerns the stated outcome and population, not the ingredient as a whole. It is not a probability of benefit, a safety rating, a product efficacy rating or an indication of product adoption.

How we assess evidence

Ingredient Profile

What is it?: Lutein is a carotenol, a carotenoid bearing hydroxyl groups. This page considers lutein and zeaxanthin together because the studied interventions may contain both pigments. [1]

Sources for this profile

Compound properties and formulation properties are different. These sources do not establish the efficacy of a finished supplement.

PubChem — Lutein A (CID 5281243) Chemical identity reference. Maintained by NCBI, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Database record; not a clinical trial.

Profile sources checked: 2026-10-11

Read the evidence in context

Evidence: what was measured in the stated population or experimental model.
Inference: an interpretation connecting findings; its applicability depends on the study conditions.
Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or effect that remains to be tested.

Research Evidence · Scientific Synthesis

Why It Matters #

Do AREDS2 findings imply improved vision in healthy eyes? Check the detailed records for study conditions and use the literature map to compare other populations and outcomes.

What Was Studied #

4,203 adults aged 50–85 at risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration AREDS2: multicenter, double-blind, 2×2 factorial RCT. Outcomes: Progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration[1]

What Was Found #

The primary analysis found no significant additional reduction in progression risk (HR 0.90, 98.7% CI 0.76–1.07). Replacement of beta-carotene is a separate question.[1]

What the Evidence Means #

A population at risk of disease progression using a background AREDS formulation. It was not a trial of general vision enhancement or eye strain.[1]

Comparing similar populations, formulations, durations and outcomes helps identify where findings agree and where they differ.

What We Can Learn #

Distinguish add-on effects, substitution within a formula and use in healthy people. People with eye disease should discuss the whole formulation with an ophthalmologist.

What Remains Unknown #

Further questions include reproducibility across populations and formulations, and the long-term balance of benefits and harms. Use the literature map as a starting point for these questions.

LITERATURE MAP / 10 PAPERS

Compare papers by conditions and findings.

A literature map covering different populations, outcomes and formulations. Read alongside detailed records to avoid treating one trial as the conclusion for an entire ingredient.

Selected: 2026-09-21. Bibliographic information checked against Europe PMC / PubMed. Editorial selection considered major papers and a range of populations and questions. This is not a systematic search covering all recent research.

10 RECORDS

A dash marks fields outside the bibliographic record. Use detailed records to compare findings and design records to connect mechanisms.

Research comparison table
Paper and topic	Study conditions	Findings and scope
Eye health and visionLutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial.2013 JAMAPMID 23644932 #	Study conditions AREDS2: multicenter, double-blind, 2×2 factorial RCT Population 4,203 adults aged 50–85 at risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration Dose Lutein 10 mg plus zeaxanthin 2 mg/day, among other interventions, added to an AREDS formulation Duration Median 5 years Outcomes Progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration	Findings and scope The primary analysis found no significant additional reduction in progression risk (HR 0.90, 98.7% CI 0.76–1.07). Replacement of beta-carotene is a separate question. View findings and limitations DOI Authors Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group
Cognitive findings of an exploratory trial of docosahexaenoic acid and lutein supplementation in older women.2008 Nutritional neurosciencePMID 18510807 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Johnson EJ, McDonald K, Caldarella SM, Chung HY, Troen AM, Snodderly DM
Intestinal absorption, serum clearance, and interactions between lutein and beta-carotene when administered to human adults in separate or combined oral doses.1995 The American journal of clinical nutritionPMID 7661123 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Kostic D, White WS, Olson JA
Clinical trial of lutein in patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A.2010 Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)PMID 20385935 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Berson EL, Rosner B, Sandberg MA, Weigel-DiFranco C, Brockhurst RJ, Hayes KC et al.
Effect of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids and lutein + zeaxanthin supplements on cardiovascular outcomes: results of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial.2014 JAMA internal medicinePMID 24638908 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Writing Group for the AREDS2 Research Group, Bonds DE, Harrington M, Worrall BB, Bertoni AG, Eaton CB et al.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on photostress recovery, glare disability, and chromatic contrast.2014 Investigative ophthalmology & visual sciencePMID 25468896 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Hammond BR, Fletcher LM, Roos F, Wittwer J, Schalch W
Molecular evidence that oral supplementation with lycopene or lutein protects human skin against ultraviolet radiation: results from a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study.2017 The British journal of dermatologyPMID 27662341 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Grether-Beck S, Marini A, Jaenicke T, Stahl W, Krutmann J
Double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of lutein and antioxidant supplementation in the intervention of atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Veterans LAST study (Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial).2004 Optometry (St. Louis, Mo.)PMID 15117055 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Richer S, Stiles W, Statkute L, Pulido J, Frankowski J, Rudy D et al.
Lutein bioavailability is higher from lutein-enriched eggs than from supplements and spinach in men.2004 The Journal of nutritionPMID 15284371 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Chung HY, Rasmussen HM, Johnson EJ
Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Lutein/Zeaxanthin, or Other Nutrient Supplementation on Cognitive Function: The AREDS2 Randomized Clinical Trial.2015 JAMAPMID 26305649 #	Study conditions —	Findings and scope — Open original paper DOI Authors Chew EY, Clemons TE, Agrón E, Launer LJ, Grodstein F, Bernstein PS et al.

The literature map is an index of research questions and references. Individual assessment of results, doses, funding and COI is limited to the detailed study records. Related reports from the same trial may be included; paper counts are not counts of independent trials.

Explore the research Study Records

Listed doses describe study conditions, not recommended intake.

Study RecordPMID 23644932

Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial.

PubMed 23644932 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2013.4997

Authors: Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group.
Journal: JAMA
Publication year: 2013
Study design: AREDS2: multicenter, double-blind, 2×2 factorial RCT
Participants: 4,203 adults aged 50–85 at risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration
Dose and intervention: Lutein 10 mg plus zeaxanthin 2 mg/day, among other interventions, added to an AREDS formulation
Duration: Median 5 years
Outcomes and their role in the study: Progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration
Findings: The primary analysis found no significant additional reduction in progression risk (HR 0.90, 98.7% CI 0.76–1.07). Replacement of beta-carotene is a separate question.
Limitations: A population at risk of disease progression using a background AREDS formulation. It was not a trial of general vision enhancement or eye strain.
Funding: Not verified within the scope of this review. This does not mean “no funding” or “no conflicts of interest.”
Conflict of Interest: Not verified within the scope of this review. This does not mean “no funding” or “no conflicts of interest.”
Scope of source review: Bibliographic information and abstract checked. Full text and detailed funding/COI information have not been verified.

Cite this page

LÍFSVARÐA. Lutein and zeaxanthin: Do AREDS2 findings imply improved vision in healthy eyes? Version 1.1 / Updated 2026-10-24

https://lifsvarda.com/knowledge/lutein-zeaxanthin/

Edited by LÍFSVARÐA (product brand).Editorial policy

Sources and updates

Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group. (2013). Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial.Bibliographic information and abstract checked. Full text and detailed funding/COI information have not been verified.

First published: 2026-09-21 / Version 1.1. Updated 2026-09-23: Added a research comparison table and links to design records. Source notes identify the scope of verification when the full paper has not been reviewed. Research summaries and LÍFSVARÐA’s interpretation are distinguished.

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