Eye Vitamin & Mineral Supplement. AREDS (The antioxidant and zinc ingredients used in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study [AREDS]) formula. Helps preserve healthy vision. Lactose free. ICaps Eye Vitamin & Mineral Supplement AREDS Formula is developed by Alcon Laboratories, the world-wide leader in eye care. Each ICaps Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula tablet is made of high quality ingredients and meets the rigorous quality-control standards of Alcon. Alcon is involved in research studying the potential positive effects of antioxidants and other ingredients on preserving healthy vision. This ICaps Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula is Alcon's way of providing you with the important high-potency ingredients studied by the respected National Eye Institute. Ask your eye care professional about Alcon Laboratories and our commitment to eye health. Specific lifestyle considerations such as smoking should be considered when choosing the proper formulation. ICaps Eye Vitamin & Mineral Supplement AREDS Formula contains the same antioxidants and zinc ingredients used in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), conducted by the National Eye Institute. AREDS is a ground-breaking, 10-year clinical study that proved the benefit of these high-potency antioxidant and zinc ingredients in certain patients at high-risk (Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group Archives of Ophthalmology, 2001;119:1417-1436). It is important to note that the high-potency vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc ingredient levels found in ICaps Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula generally can be attained only by supplementation and not through diet alone. Delayed Release Tablets: ICaps Eye Vitamin & Mineral Supplements are the only major ocular vitamins with delayed release tablets. These unique delayed release tablets dissolve gradually, thereby contributing to greater absorption by the body, and less stomach upset (which is common when taking high-potency vitamins and minerals, such as zinc). Easy-To-Swallow Tablets: Alcon Laboratories worked hard to formulate the high-level ingredients found in ICaps Eye Vitamin AREDS Formula into smaller, easy-to-swallow tablets. (This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.)