Bausch + Lomb Announces Published Review Examining the Role of B Vitamins in Reducing Risk and Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Published: 2026-04-23 12:23:11 ET BLCO

Published on 04/23/2026 at 12:23 pm EDT

Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced that Ophthalmology and Therapy published a narrative review highlighting the role of certain B vitamins in reducing the risk of development and progression of AMD1, a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 50 years of age or older. Drawing on more than two decades of scientific research, the publication synthesizes findings from more than 20 human studies evaluating nearly 30,000 individuals, spanning randomized clinical trials and large observational cohorts, as well as mechanistic and biomarker studies. Across a range of diverse studies assessing different B vitamins, combinations and concentrations, this article discusses the complex relationships between B-vitamin deficiency, elevated homocysteine, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and AMD pathogenesis.

Collectively, the research shows that B vitamins play an important role in helping to lower the risk of AMD and supporting eye health. This body of evidence provides a solid scientific basis for including B vitamins in nutritional supplements designed for people with AMD, with a long-term clinical trial for a unique B-vitamin complex now in planning. Key clinical insights from the paper: Women?s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study (WAFACS) demonstrated a 34% reduction in AMD risk and a 41% reduction in visually significant AMD with daily supplementation of specific concentrations of B6 (50 mg), B9 (2.5 mg) and B12 (1 mg)1. AREDS and AREDS2 post-hoc analyses showed decreased risk of progression to geographic atrophy and neovascular AMD with higher dietary intake of B6 and B91.

The Blue Mountains Eye Study and Alienor Study linked low serum B12 and B9 levels to increased AMD incidence and progression, highlighting the importance of maintaining adequate B vitamin levels1. Across epidemiologic, mechanistic and randomized clinical trial data, findings consistently show that B vitamin levels and function are closely tied to both AMD risk and disease progression1. PreserVision AREDS3 eye vitamins combine a unique B-vitamin complex with clinically proven AREDS2 nutrients, intended to expand eye-health support to a broad range of people*.

PreserVision AREDS3 eye vitamins enhanced with B vitamins are now available in the U.S. and are expected to be at most major retailers by June 2026. The strength of this body of evidence has initiated planning for a long-term clinical trial to evaluate this B-vitamin complex combined with AREDS2 nutrients. PreserVision AREDS3 eye vitamins are formulated to help support cellular metabolism, healthy homocysteine levels and the body?s natural response to oxidative stress, as well as help reduce the risk of moderate-to-advanced AMD progression.* Recent in vitro evidence indicates a synergistic effect on differential gene expression when combining AREDS2 nutrients with B vitamins.5 New genetic research also points to a link between B vitamins and AMD risk, reinforcing its inclusion in this next-generation PreserVision formula.5 PreserVision AREDS3 eye vitamins are now available in the U.S. and are expected to be available at most major retailers by June 2026.

PreserVision AREDS 2 formula eye vitamins contain the exact NEI-recommended formula based on the AREDS2 study. The daily dose (two capsules) of PreserVision AREDS 2 Formula eye vitamins provides the exact same levels of all six clinically proven nutrients as the NEI supported formula: vitamin C (500mg), vitamin E (400 IU/180mg), lutein (10mg), zeaxanthin (2mg), zinc (80mg) and copper (2mg). The AREDS and AREDS2 studies are landmark clinical studies conducted over 20 years by the NEI.

The AREDS study in 2001 demonstrated that taking a specific combination of antioxidants and zinc could help reduce the risk of progression of AMD in those with moderate to advanced AMD. In 2012, the NEI completed the AREDS2 study, which tested several changes to the formulation, such as adding omega-3 fatty acids, substituting lutein and zeaxanthin for beta-carotene, and/or reducing zinc. The current AREDS2 nutrient formula recommended by the NEI is the result of this study. The NEI 10-Year Follow-on Study results evaluated the long-term results of participants who were involved in the AREDS2 study.

Consisting of 3,882 people (6,351 study eyes) with moderate to advanced AMD over a 10-year period, the follow-on study further validates the original findings of the AREDS2 formulation with lutein and zeaxanthin, demonstrating an incremental reduction in risk of the progression to late-stage AMD.3.