Protocols › Zinc

Zinc for macular degeneration

Goal: What the AREDS trial used to slow age-related macular degeneration in people who already have it.

Each protocol describes what studies used, for one goal or for one group of people. It is not advice for you: talk to a doctor before you start a supplement.

Updated 10 Nov 2026
Dose

80 mg of zinc a day as zinc oxide, with 2 mg of copper.[1] AREDS2 found the same protection with 25 mg of zinc, but called this result preliminary.[2]

Form

Zinc oxide, alone or in one tablet with 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E and 15 mg of beta-carotene.[1]

When to take

Every day.[1]

How long

An average of 6.3 years.[1]

What studies found

In AREDS, 3,640 people aged 55 to 80 took part. Antioxidants plus zinc lowered the odds of advanced AMD (odds ratio 0.72). In people at higher risk, zinc alone also lowered them (odds ratio 0.71).[1] For antioxidants plus zinc, a 2023 Cochrane review found moderate-certainty evidence of about 78 fewer cases of late AMD for every 1,000 people with intermediate AMD.[3]

Ask a doctor first

The dose of 80 mg a day is twice the US upper limit for adults, and the formula adds 2 mg of copper.[2] Beta-carotene raised the risk of lung cancer, mostly in former smokers. In AREDS, men who took zinc had more genitourinary problems.[3]

People who have AMD or are developing it should talk to their doctor about their zinc intake and the AREDS formulas.[2]

References

  1. 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
  2. Zinc: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
  3. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Evans JR, Lawrenson JG Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2023. PMID 37702300