The National Eye Institute has announced their newest and most advanced Macular Degeneration Formula Study. And VisiVite is the first and only vitamin manufacturer to offer this unique supplement for the prevention of disease progression and improvement of vision.

In 2001, the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, completed the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), which showed that ingesting high levels of specific nutritional supplements decreased the risk of macular degeneration (AMD) progression. This included 25,000 IU of beta-carotene, 500 mg of Vitamin C, 400 IU of Vitamin E, 80 mg of Zinc and 2 mg of Cupric Oxide.

Unfortunately, while AREDS showed benefit against this retinal eye disease, if did not demonstrate improvement in vision.

Since the publication of AREDS, more recent studies, including the Lutein Antioxidant Supplement Trial, have demonstrated vision improvement. And much exciting work involving both Lutein and Zeaxanthin, molecules known as carotenoids, have shown not only vision improvement but also a healthier macular appearance with improvement in pigmentation and color.

One important issue not addressed in AREDS is that there appears to be an inflammatory component to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Therefore, Omega-3 fatty acids derived from deep sea fish may be helpful in further counteracting this eye disease and preventing blindness.

For these reasons, the National Eye Institute, in late 2006 announced the recruitment of patients into a multi-year randomized Age Related Eye Disease 2 Study.

The Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 site states:

"The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) is a multi-center, randomized trial designed to assess the effects of oral supplementation of macular xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) and/or long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid) [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] ) on the progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). An additional goal of the study is to assess whether forms of the AREDS nutritional supplement with reduced zinc and/or no beta-carotene works as well as the original supplement in reducing the risk of progression to advanced AMD."

VisiVite Premier Ocular Formula Number 2 is based upon the prediction of the most successful components and modifications of the Age Related Eye Disease Study 2.

It is recommended for the following patients with macular degeneration:
Progressive macular degeneration with vision loss in one or both eyes
Presence in the retina of large drusen, pigmentation or geographic atrophy
Safe for both smokers and non-smokers (does not contain beta-carotene)