When to take Lutein and Zeaxanthin (Eye Formula)
Also known as AREDS2 formula, Macular carotenoids, Lutein, Zeaxanthin
Take lutein and zeaxanthin with a meal that has some fat, at any time of day. They dissolve in fat, and eating fat at the same meal helps your body absorb them.
Last reviewed October 13, 2026
Timing
| Best time | Any time of day |
|---|---|
| Food | With a meal |
| Fat-soluble | Yes — take it with a meal that has some fat |
- Any time; consistency matters more than timing.
- Eat some fat at the same meal, such as eggs, cooking oil or salad dressing, to help absorption.
- You can take an AREDS2-style eye formula along with a daily multivitamin. Most people in the National Eye Institute trials did.
Check with your doctor first if…
- Smokers and former smokers: avoid eye formulas that contain beta-carotene. In National Eye Institute studies, former smokers who took beta-carotene had more lung cancer. Lutein and zeaxanthin were not linked to higher cancer risk.
- Blood thinners: AREDS2-style formulas contain 400 IU of vitamin E, which can interact with blood thinners. Check with your doctor first.
- Other medicines: high-dose eye formulas can change how some medicines work. Bring a list of your medicines and supplements to your doctor.
- Healthy eyes: the National Eye Institute found the AREDS formulas helped people with intermediate or late age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but not people with early AMD or no AMD. Ask your eye doctor whether a formula is right for you.
Amounts studied
AREDS2 formula (studied by the National Eye Institute): 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin a day, with 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 80 mg zinc and 2 mg copper.
Follow the serving size on your product’s label.
What the research says
| Area | Evidence | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Eye health | Moderate | A 2016 review of 20 trials, cited in a 2017 review, found that supplements raise macular pigment (a filter in the back of the eye that blocks blue light) in healthy people, with more pigment at higher doses.[3] |
Questions
Should I take lutein with food?
Yes. Lutein and zeaxanthin dissolve in fat, and eating fat at the same meal helps your body absorb them. Eggs, oil or salad dressing all count.
Can I take lutein with my multivitamin?
Yes. The National Eye Institute says the eye formulas do not replace a multivitamin, and most people in its trials took both.
Can I get lutein from food instead?
Kale, spinach, parsley, peas and egg yolks are good food sources. The National Eye Institute says the high amounts in its eye formula are hard to get from diet alone.
Will an eye formula help if my eyes are healthy?
The National Eye Institute studies found no benefit for people without the eye changes the formula was made for. Ask your eye doctor whether you need it.
Is lutein safer than beta-carotene?
In the National Eye Institute studies, lutein and zeaxanthin were not linked to higher cancer risk. Beta-carotene was linked to more lung cancer in former smokers, which is why AREDS2 left it out.
Plan your whole routine
Add Lutein and Zeaxanthin (Eye Formula) and everything else you take to the planner to see your morning, midday and evening, and what to keep apart.
Open the plannerSources
- AREDS/AREDS2 Frequently Asked Questions, National Eye Institute (NIH) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Dietary Supplements for Eye Conditions (Clinical Digest, August 2024), NCCIH (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin—Food Sources, Bioavailability and Dietary Variety in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Protection (Nutrients, 2017), PMC (accessed October 13, 2026)
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is general information, not medical advice: talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, take medicine or have a health condition.