Bausch + Lomb PreserVision Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula Softgels are based on the AREDS formula, the one and only antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplement proven clinically effective in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). AREDS was the 10-year, independent study conducted by the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over 55. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed that patients diagnosed with moderate-to-advanced AMD who are most at risk for progression to advanced disease decreased that risk by 25% and reduced the risk of associated vision loss by 19% by taking the original tablet high-potency antioxidant AREDS formula supplement every day.*PreserVision Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula Softgels are based on the AREDS formula - a high potency antioxidant supplement with select vitamins and minerals, at levels well above those in ordinary multivitamins and generally not attainable through diet alone.