Product Reviews and Information for Macular Degeneration

Search term may appear only in full report available to members. Join now for full access.

Product Review

Vision Supplements Review (with Lutein, Zeaxanthin & AREDS2 Formulas)

Find the Best Vision Supplement Based Our Tests

CL Answer

Which supplements are helpful for age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?

Find out which vitamins & supplements are helpful for macular degeneration (AMD), such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and others used in the AREDS studies.

Product Review

Zinc Supplements, Lozenges, and Melts Review

Find the Best Zinc Supplements, Including Lozenges for Colds.

Product Review

Saffron Supplements Review

See How Saffron Supplements Compare and What They Do

CL Answer

I've been using a lutein supplement with 40 mg of lutein and am concerned that this dose may be too high. Are there known harmful side-effects?

Learn more about lutein side effects, proper dosage and safety in vision supplements.

CL Answer

Does TA-65 Astragalus Extract Increase Telomere Length and Longevity?

TA-65 Astragalus Extract is promoted to increase telomere length. Find out if there is evidence for this, if this increases lifespan or longevity, plus safety, side effects and cost.

Product Review

Avocado Oil Review

Find the Best Avocado Oil for Purity, Freshness and Taste. Some Others May Include Rotten Avocado or Other Oils.

Product Review

Fish Oil, Krill Oil, and Algal Oil Omega-3 (DHA & EPA) Supplements Review

See Our Omega-3 Top Picks and Avoid Rancid Fish Oils.

News Release

December 20, 2024

Best Zinc Supplements and Lozenges for Colds, According to ConsumerLab

White Plains, NY, December 20, 2024 —  Zinc is important for a healthy immune system and the right zinc lozenge can help reduce cold symptoms, but taking too much zinc causes adverse effects.

CL Answer

Are antioxidant supplements good or bad for you?

Learn more about whether antioxidants like astaxanthin, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, curcumin, resveratrol, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E are safe and if they help prevent chronic diseases.

Product Review

Amla Supplements Review

Only 3 of 8 Amla Powders and Pills Pass CL's Tests

Product Review

Resveratrol Supplements Review (From Red Wine, Knotweed, and Other Sources)

See Which Resveratrol Supplements Were Best In Our Tests and Comparisons. Learn What Resveratrol Can and Can't Do.

CL Answer

Does urolithin A reduce age-related muscle decline, osteoarthritis, or other age-related diseases?

Find out if urolithin A may improve age-related muscle decline and learn about its safety.

Product Review

Calcium and Bone Health Supplements Review (Including Vitamins D & K, Magnesium and Boron)

See Which Bone Health Supplements Are Top Picks and Which Fail

Product Review

Vitamin A Supplements Review, Including Beta-Carotene and Cod Liver Oil

Find the Best Vitamin A Supplement. Best Quality Vitamin A Supplements Identified, Including Cod Liver Oil.

CL Answer

Which vitamins and minerals should someone over 70 take?

Find out which vitamin and mineral supplements men and women age 70 and older should take, recommended intakes for vitamin D, B6, B12, iron, plus multis, vision supplements, protein and more.

Product Review

Vitamin C Supplements Review

Find the Best Vitamin C Supplements

CL Answer

Does red and near infrared light therapy reduce pain, improve skin or cognition, or have other benefits? Is it safe?

Red light and near infrared light therapy devices are promoted for numerous conditions, including acne, fibromyalgia, pain, cognitive function and other uses. Find out if these devices work and if they are safe.

Product Review

Melatonin Supplements Review

Trouble Sleeping? See CL's Tests of Melatonin Supplements and Top Picks.

News Release

July 31, 2024

Best Calcium & Bone Health Supplements According to ConsumerLab Tests

White Plains, NY, July 31, 2024 —  Calcium is essential to maintaining bone health and plays critical roles in nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and the cardiovascular system.

CL Answer

Are light boxes effective for preventing and treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as "winter depression," or circadian rhythm disorders such as jet lag? Which light boxes are best?

Learn about the benefits and safety of light boxes (including who is most likely to benefit), how to use these devices, which commercially available products appear to meet the technical requirements, and who should not use light boxes.

News Release

December 28, 2023

10 Most Popular ConsumerLab Product Reviews of 2023

White Plains, New York, December 28, 2023 —  In 2023, ConsumerLab tested more than two hundred products, adding to its extensive Product Reviews covering 150 categories of supplements, foods, and other health products. Among these, the following 10 were the most popular in 2023:

Product Review

Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review

Best Multivitamins -- Caution with Gummies

CL Answer

How much calcium do you need each day, what forms are best, and how much is too much?

Learn about the recommended daily intake of calcium from food & supplements and why taking too much can be harmful. Also, learn about the forms of calcium that are available and which are best.

Product Review

Astaxanthin Supplements Review

See Which Astaxanthin Products Passed or Failed CL's Tests

Recalls & Warnings

May 20, 2005

Seller of "Ocular Nutrition" Supplement Settles FTC Charges

On March 16, 2005, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Hi-Health Supermart Corporation (Hi-Health) and its owner, Simon Chalpin, settled FTC charges that they made unsubstantiated advertising claims that their product – Premier Formula for Ocular Nutrition-Optim3 (Ocular Nutrition) – ...

Recalls & Warnings

February 19, 2005

Seller of Eye Supplement Purporting to Restore Vision and Eliminate "Floaters" Settles FTC Charges

On February 15, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Hi-Health Supermart Corporation (Hi-Health) and its owner, Simon Chalpin, have settled FTC charges that they made unsubstantiated advertising claims that their product – Premier Formula for Ocular Nutrition-Optim3 (Ocular ...

Recalls & Warnings

December 07, 2023

Belmont Eyecare Warned for Colloidal Silver, MSM, and Castor Oil Eye Drop Claims

On December 1, 2023, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to Belmont Eyecare LLC, following a review of the company’s website, which found statements about the company’s Colloidal Silver Eye Drops, MSM Eye Drops, Organic Daytime Oil Eye Drops, Organic Daytime Oil Eye Drops Small, Organic ...

News Release

July 13, 2023

Best Vision Supplements According to ConsumerLab Tests

White Plains, New York, July 13, 2023 —  Studies show that supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, and other ingredients can help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults over age 60.

News Release

February 13, 2023

Saffron Supplements Vary Widely in Key Compounds, According to ConsumerLab Tests

White Plains, New York, February 13, 2023 — Saffron extracts are promoted to treat mood, improve cognition and vision, and even reduce appetite.

News Release

April 17, 2021

ConsumerLab Identifies Best and Worst Avocado Oils Based on Testing

White Plains, New York, April 17, 2021 — Avocado oil has become increasing popular, but concern about the quality of products was raised in 2020 by a study from researchers at the University of California, Davis that found that as much as 82% of avocado oil samples bought locally or online in ...

News Release

January 16, 2021

Best Resveratrol Products Revealed in ConsumerLab Review

White Plains, New York, January 16, 2021 — Resveratrol supplements are promoted for a wide range of uses, including lowering cholesterol and improving cardiovascular health, improving memory, reducing inflammation and slowing age-related macular degeneration.

News Release

October 22, 2019

Best Vision Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab

White Plains, New York, October 22, 2019 — Supplements containing lutein and other ingredients can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in adults over 60 years of age.

Recalls & Warnings

December 01, 2021

FDA Warns Seller of Saffron Supplements

On November 18th, 2021, the FDA issued a warning letter to Saffron Health Sciences following a review of the company's website, social media, and Amazon product listings, which found statements made about the company's products Crocin Rich, Crocin Rich II, and Crocin Rich ...

CL Answer

Do detox supplements work and are they safe?

Detox supplements are promoted for removing toxins such as heavy metals from the body, but does research support their use and are such supplements safe?

Recalls & Warnings

April 25, 2013

Vision Supplement Company Warned For Drug Claims

On March 15, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to Synticare Corp. because statements made on the company's website about certain supplements, including Maximum Lutein, AREDS 1, AREDS 1 Smokers, AREDS 2, Combo AREDS 1 and 2, and Combo Smokers AREDS 1 and 2, were found to be drug claims.

CL Answer

Can supplements, natural eye drops, or lifestyle modifications improve symptoms of dry eye?

Can supplements such as fish oil, flaxseed oil or curcumin (from turmeric) help treat dry eyes? Find out, including formulas and doses that have shown benefit. Also, learn if drinking more water or using eye drops containing castor oil, N-acetylcarnosine or aloe can help with dry eye.

CL Answer

Does Prevagen really improve memory?

Learn more about Prevagen, including clinical studies on Prevagen's impact on memory & cognition, safety, pricing, and an FDA warning letter. ConsumerLab explores the efficacy of Prevagen.

News Release

October 19, 2017

ConsumerLab.com Reveals Best Zinc Lozenges and Supplements for Shortening Colds and Correcting Deficiency

White Plains, New York, October 19, 2017 — In the U.S., mild zinc deficiency is fairly common. Zinc supplements can help to correct a deficiency, slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, and have other benefits. Taken as a lozenge, zinc can shorten the duration of a cold.

News Release

October 11, 2016

What Are the Benefits of Resveratrol and Which Brands Are Best? -- ConsumerLab.com Reviews the Evidence and Tests the Quality of Popular Resveratrol Supplements

White Plains, New York, October 11, 2016 — Resveratrol supplements have been popular since 2006, when studies in animals showed "life-extending" and "endurance-enhancing" effects, among other potential benefits.

News Release

December 17, 2015

ConsumerLab.com Focuses on Vision Supplements, Spotting the Best and the Worst

White Plains, New York, December 17, 2015 — Supplements containing lutein and other ingredients have been shown to slow deterioration of the retina in people with age-related macular degeneration.

News Release

December 10, 2014

ConsumerLab.com Identifies Best Zinc Products for Colds, Eyes, and Zinc Deficiency -- Popular Zinc Supplements and Lozenges Tested and Compared

White Plains, New York, December 10, 2014 — "Zinc supplements have been shown to shorten colds and reduce the progression of advanced macular degeneration, but not all products provide the dosage proven effective, as well as pass criteria for supplement quality," says Tod Cooperman, M.D.

News Release

October 17, 2012

ConsumerLab.com Tests and Compares Vision Supplements - Guides Consumers Through a Variety of Ingredients and Formulas

White Plains, New York — October 17, 2012 — Can a supplement improve your vision or prevent it from deteriorating? "The evidence shows that some supplements may help improve vision in people with macular degeneration and others can slow its progression," says Tod Cooperman, M.D.

News Release

December 20, 2011

Choose zinc supplements carefully -- ConsumerLab.com finds only some have dosage proven to shorten colds, reduce eye disease

White Plains, New York — December 20, 2011 — Can zinc supplements shorten colds and reduce the progression of advanced macular degeneration? "Yes, but not all supplements provide a dosage that has been proven effective." says Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com.

News Release

September 21, 2011

Not all vitamin A supplements pass ConsumerLab.com tests -- New report reviews beta-carotene and cod liver oil supplements

White Plains, New York — September 21, 2011 — Recent tests of vitamin A supplements by ConsumerLab.com found one to contain only 54.3% of its listed amount of vitamin A. Another product mislabeled alpha carotene as vitamin A.

CL Answer

Do any supplements help treat or reduce the pain of plantar fasciitis (heel pain)?

Plantar fasciitis causing heel pain has, in rare cases, been reported as a symptom of vitamin D deficiency. Other supplements that have been proposed to help include vitamin C, zinc, curcumin (from turmeric), bromelain, collagen and glucosamine. Find out what the evidence shows, and what other treatments may help.

Recalls & Warnings

February 28, 2024

Microbial Contamination Found in LightEyez MSM Eye Drops

On February 15, 2024, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to LightEyez Limited after testing by the agency found the company’s LightEyez.com MSM Eye Drops V2.0 — Eye Repair (MSM Eye Repair Drops) to have microbial contamination in samples of the drops.

News Release

September 28, 2010

ConsumerLab.com finds quality problems with nearly 30% of fish oil supplements reviewed; "Fishy" claims identified -- Softgels and liquids for adults, children and pets tested, including krill oil and algal oil supplements

White Plains, New York — September 28, 2010 — Tests of fish, algal and krill oil supplements revealed quality problems with 7 out of 24 products selected by independent testing organization ConsumerLab.com.

News Release

December 16, 2009

"Eye health" supplements vary widely in formula but product quality is high according to ConsumerLab.com

"Eye Health" Supplements Vary Widely in Formula But Product Quality is High According to ConsumerLab.com

News Release

December 09, 2008

Tests of zinc supplements by ConsumerLab.com show only some provide dosage proven to shorten colds, reduce eye disease. Lead contamination found in one product.

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — DECEMBER 9, 2008 — Zinc supplements can shorten colds and reduce the progression of advanced macular degeneration, among other uses. But a new report by ConsumerLab.

News Release

October 28, 2008

Tests reveal quality problems with vitamin A supplements -- New ConsumerLab.com report focuses on vitamin A, including beta-carotene and cod liver oil

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — OCTOBER 28, 2008 — ConsumerLab.com is cautioning that the amount vitamin A in some supplements may be much higher or lower than the amount stated on labels. Among ten supplements recently selected for testing, ConsumerLab.

News Release

July 12, 2007

ConsumerLab.com finds lutein & zeaxanthin supplements vary widely in strength but most meet ingredient claims — Right amount of antioxidant may help prevent macular degeneration and improve vision

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — July 12, 2007 — ConsumerLab.com announced today that all but one of the thirteen lutein and zeaxanthin supplements it recently chose to test met quality standards.

News Release

April 07, 2004

ConsumerLab.com finds some zinc supplements low in ingredient and many don't instruct on proper use — Consumers urged to learn more about zinc when using supplements

WHITE PLAINS, NY — April 7, 2004 (updated May 4, 2004) — ConsumerLab.com announced today that two of nine zinc pill or liquid supplements that it recently tested contained only 73% to 85% of the claimed amounts.

Recalls & Warnings

June 30, 2022

FDA Warns Seller of Vision and Allergy Supplements

On May 26, 2022, the FDA issued a warning letter to Golden Lab LLC following an inspection of the website, which found statements about the company’s DoctoRx’s Optimal Formula Ocular Pressure & Optic Nerve Support Formula Ocular Health Capsule, DoctoRx’s Optimal Formula ...

News Release

January 29, 2004

ConsumerLab.com finds lutein supplements vary widely in strength but most meet ingredient claims — Right amount of antioxidant compound may reduce risk of blindness

WHITE PLAINS, NY — January 29, 2004 — ConsumerLab.com announced today that only one of the 19 lutein/zeaxanthin supplements it recently tested failed to contain the claimed ingredients. Although product quality was generally high, ConsumerLab.

Recalls & Warnings

May 15, 2016

Seller of Vision Supplements Warned for Drug Claims

On April 28, 2016, the FDA issued a warning letter to Macular Health, LLC.

Recalls & Warnings

April 30, 2021

FDA Warns Seller of Fish Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Collagen, and Elderberry Supplements

On April 13, 2021, the FDA issued a warning letter to Orphic Nutrition following a review of the company's websites, which found statements made about the products Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules, Ashwagandha Capsules, Garcinia Cambogia Capsules, Premium Collagen Peptides Capsules, Elderberry ...

Recalls & Warnings

August 13, 2016

Seller of Omega-3, Ginkgo, Vision Supplements & More Warned for Drug Claims

On July 22, 2016, the FDA issued a warning letter to Viva Nutraceuticals (J & E International Corporation) following a review of the company's website and promotional literature, which found statement made about its products, Eyestonia, Ginkgo Biloba 60mg, Golden Omega-3 Max, ...

Recalls & Warnings

January 16, 2015

CVS Sued for Eye Health Supplement Claims

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against CVS for promoting the company's Advanced Eye Health supplement as comparable to the formula used in the large National Institutes of Health (NIH) eye disease study known as AREDS2, despite the fact that it does not contain the same ingredients.

Recalls & Warnings

September 26, 2012

Maker of Eye Health Supplements Warned for Drug Claims

On September 18, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to EyeScience Labs, L.L.C. because statements made about the company's Macular Health Formula, Dry Eye Formula and Diabetic Vision Formula supplements were found to constitute drug claims.

Recalls & Warnings

August 30, 2012

Supplement Company Warned For Medical Claims and Misbranding Of Omega-3, CoQ10, Noni Juice And More

On July 12, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to Alfa Vitamins Laboratories, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

June 13, 2013

Seller of Cardio, Immune, Greens Supplements and More Warned For Drug Claims

On May 29, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to dietary supplement company Nature's Answer, following a review a the company's website, www.naturesanswer.

Recalls & Warnings

December 09, 2021

FDA Warns Seller of Curcumin, Lion's Mane, Quercetin & More

On November 9, 2021, the FDA issued a warning letter to Synaptent, LLC because it found statements on the company's website about its products, including Berberine HCL, Curcumin, Lion's Man, Milk Thistle, Quercetin, Boswellia Serrata Extract, and Garlic Extract to be ...