Vitamin CDoes vitamin C help with age-related macular degeneration?
Updated 3 Nov 2026
Short answer
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older people.[1] The AREDS trial followed 3,640 people aged 55 to 80 with signs of AMD for a mean of 6.3 years.[2] In those who took 500 mg of vitamin C with vitamin E, beta carotene and zinc, the odds of advanced AMD were 28% lower than with placebo.[2] The antioxidants without zinc did not lower the odds significantly.[2] The evidence does not show that vitamin C, alone or with other antioxidants, changes the risk of getting AMD.[1]
Sources (2)
- Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
- 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. Arch Ophthalmol, 2001. PMID 11594942
More about vitamin c
What is vitamin C?How much vitamin C do you need a day?What is vitamin C used for?What are the signs of vitamin C deficiency?Is vitamin C safe?Does vitamin C prevent or shorten colds?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.