{ "dataset": "lutein-zeaxanthin-cost-by-brand", "title": "Lutein & Zeaxanthin Supplements Compared — cost per mg, AREDS2 ratio match", "sourcePage": "https://verifiedsupplementdata.com/lutein-zeaxanthin/best-overall/", "license": "CC-BY-4.0", "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "attribution": "Verified Supplement Data (2026), Lutein & Zeaxanthin Cost Comparison", "dateModified": "2026-07-18", "methodology": "mgPerServing = disclosed lutein mg; zeaxanthinMgPerServing = disclosed zeaxanthin mg (null where the label/product page does not clearly state it). ratio = lutein:zeaxanthin (e.g. 5 means 5:1). costPer10mgLutein = price / (servings x (lutein mg / 10)) — normalizes every product to the cost of the AREDS2-tested 10 mg lutein dose. \"verdict\": full-areds2-formula (the literal AREDS2 multi-nutrient formula — lutein/zeaxanthin plus vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper — NOT a standalone L/Z product), ratio-match (discloses both actives, ratio close to AREDS2's 5:1), off-ratio-low-zeaxanthin (ratio far above 5:1, i.e. zeaxanthin-light relative to lutein), meso-zeaxanthin-blend (adds meso-zeaxanthin and/or other actives such as saffron on top of lutein/zeaxanthin), zeaxanthin-undisclosed (zeaxanthin mg not clearly stated). EVIDENCE CONTEXT: AREDS2 (Chew et al. 2013, PMID 23644932, JAMA, RCT n=4,203, NEI/NIH-funded) tested adding lutein 10 mg + zeaxanthin 2 mg to the AREDS formula ONLY in people with existing bilateral large drusen or intermediate/advanced AMD in one eye — not a prevention trial for healthy eyes. Primary whole-cohort analysis was null; a secondary/subgroup analysis (Chew et al. 2014, PMID 24310343) found HR 0.82 (95% CI 0.69-0.96, p=.02) for progression to late AMD in the L/Z arms vs no-L/Z arms — about an 18% relative risk reduction. Long-term follow-up (Chew et al. 2022, PMID 35653117, ~10yr total observation) found the protective association persisted (HR 0.91, p=.02). The original AREDS2 trial also found increased lung-cancer incidence in the beta-carotene arm, concentrated in smokers/former smokers — the reason lutein/zeaxanthin replaced beta-carotene in the reformulated product. CREST (Akuffo et al. 2017, PMID 29053808, RCT n=121, UK DoH-funded) tested adding meso-zeaxanthin to the AREDS2 formula in nonadvanced AMD and found comparable — not clearly superior — visual-function results vs the AREDS2 formula alone; do not treat 'triple carotenoid' marketing as proven superior. No claim here treats, prevents, or cures AMD or any eye disease, and none of this evidence supports 'blue light' or screen-strain marketing claims — see the areds2-vs-blue-light page. This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA; these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.", "headline": { "productsCompared": 6, "ratioMatchCount": 1, "zeaxanthinUndisclosedCount": 2, "areds2LuteinMg": 10, "areds2ZeaxanthinMg": 2, "areds2Ratio": 5, "cheapestStandaloneBrand": "Nutricost", "cheapestStandaloneCostPer10mgLutein": 0.06, "cheapestRatioMatchBrand": null, "areds2FormulaBrand": "Bausch + Lomb", "note": "PreserVision AREDS 2 is the literal multi-nutrient AREDS2 formula (lutein + zeaxanthin + vitamin C + vitamin E + zinc + copper), not directly cost-comparable per mg of lutein to standalone lutein/zeaxanthin products — see the best-overall page for why." }, "columns": [ "brand", "product", "slug", "form", "luteinMgPerServing", "zeaxanthinMgPerServing", "ratio", "servings", "price", "costPerServing", "costPer10mgLutein", "verdict", "thirdParty" ], "units": { "luteinMgPerServing": "mg lutein", "zeaxanthinMgPerServing": "mg zeaxanthin", "price": "USD", "costPerServing": "USD/serving", "costPer10mgLutein": "USD per 10mg lutein (AREDS2 dose)" }, "citations": [ { "claim": "AREDS2: adding lutein 10mg + zeaxanthin 2mg to the AREDS formula in people with existing intermediate/advanced AMD; primary whole-cohort analysis null (n=4,203 RCT, NEI/NIH-funded, not industry).", "source": "Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group (Chew et al.). 2013, JAMA", "pmid": "23644932" }, { "claim": "Secondary/subgroup analysis: lutein/zeaxanthin arms vs no-L/Z arms, HR 0.82 (95% CI 0.69-0.96, p=.02) for progression to late AMD — about an 18% relative risk reduction.", "source": "Chew EY, et al. 2014, JAMA Ophthalmology, AREDS2 Report No. 3", "pmid": "24310343" }, { "claim": "~10-year total observation: lutein/zeaxanthin association with reduced late-AMD progression persisted (HR 0.91, p=.02); beta-carotene lung-cancer signal persisted.", "source": "Chew EY, et al. 2022, JAMA Ophthalmology, AREDS2 Report 28", "pmid": "35653117" }, { "claim": "CREST: adding meso-zeaxanthin 10mg to the AREDS2 formula (n=121 RCT, nonadvanced AMD, UK DoH-funded) found comparable — not clearly superior — visual-function improvement vs the AREDS2 formula alone.", "source": "Akuffo KO, et al. 2017, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science", "pmid": "29053808" }, { "claim": "12mg/day macular carotenoids for 1 year improved contrast sensitivity and macular pigment in healthy young adults (n=59 RCT) — not a disease-progression or blue-light-specific endpoint.", "source": "Stringham JM, O'Brien KJ, Stringham NT. 2017, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science", "pmid": "28431432" } ], "products": [ { "brand": "Nutricost", "product": "Zeaxanthin with Lutein 20 mg", "slug": "nutricost-zeaxanthin-lutein-20mg", "form": "Softgel", "luteinMgPerServing": 20, "zeaxanthinMgPerServing": 4, "ratio": 5, "servings": 120, "price": 14.95, "costPerServing": 0.12, "costPer10mgLutein": 0.06, "verdict": "ratio-match-value", "thirdParty": "None stated" }, { "brand": "Doctor's Best", "product": "Lutein 20 mg with Zeaxanthin (FloraGlo)", "slug": "doctors-best-lutein-floraglo-20mg", "form": "Softgel", "luteinMgPerServing": 20, "zeaxanthinMgPerServing": 1, "ratio": 20, "servings": 60, "price": 9.99, "costPerServing": 0.17, "costPer10mgLutein": 0.085, "verdict": "off-ratio-low-zeaxanthin", "thirdParty": "None stated" }, { "brand": "NOW Foods", "product": "Lutein & Zeaxanthin", "slug": "now-foods-lutein-zeaxanthin-25mg", "form": "Softgel", "luteinMgPerServing": 25, "zeaxanthinMgPerServing": 5, "ratio": 5, "servings": 60, "price": 16.79, "costPerServing": 0.28, "costPer10mgLutein": 0.112, "verdict": "ratio-match-above-areds2-dose", "thirdParty": "None stated" }, { "brand": "Jarrow Formulas", "product": "Lutein 20 mg with Zeaxanthin", "slug": "jarrow-lutein-20mg", "form": "Softgel", "luteinMgPerServing": 20, "zeaxanthinMgPerServing": null, "ratio": null, "servings": 120, "price": 27.83, "costPerServing": 0.23, "costPer10mgLutein": 0.115, "verdict": "zeaxanthin-undisclosed", "thirdParty": "None stated" }, { "brand": "Life Extension", "product": "MacuGuard Ocular Support with Saffron", "slug": "life-extension-macuguard-meso-zeaxanthin", "form": "Softgel", "luteinMgPerServing": 20, "zeaxanthinMgPerServing": null, "ratio": null, "servings": 60, "price": 15.3, "costPerServing": 0.26, "costPer10mgLutein": 0.13, "verdict": "meso-zeaxanthin-blend", "thirdParty": "None stated" }, { "brand": "Bausch + Lomb", "product": "PreserVision AREDS 2", "slug": "bausch-lomb-preservision-areds2", "form": "Vegan softgel", "luteinMgPerServing": 10, "zeaxanthinMgPerServing": 2, "ratio": 5, "servings": 60, "price": 41.99, "costPerServing": 0.7, "costPer10mgLutein": 0.7, "verdict": "full-areds2-formula", "thirdParty": "None stated" } ] }