What supplement should I take to improve eyesight.

There isn’t one supplement established to improve eyesight generally; evidence points to possible benefits in specific eye conditions.

• AREDS formulas: For age-related macular degeneration (AMD), AREDS2 combines vitamins C and E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin; it slowed progression in people with moderate-to-severe dry AMD. The earlier AREDS formula used beta-carotene instead, which was associated with increased cancer risk, particularly among smokers. 1
• Lutein: It may help slow vision loss in moderate-to-severe AMD, but studies did not show significant improvement for normal vision or mild AMD. 2
• Idebenone: It has been suggested for Leber’s congenital eye disease, but whether people should take it more generally remains an open question, with limited studies. 3
• Vitamin B3: High-dose B3 is being studied for glaucoma and optic-nerve degeneration. Early, limited trials showed short-term improvements in measures of retinal function, while larger trials were still underway. 4
• Vitamin A: Adequate vitamin A is necessary for vision, and most people can get enough from food. Taking much more than needed does not appear to make vision better; discuss supplementation, especially high doses, with an eye-care clinician. 5