The Nation Eye Institute (NEI) and American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Preferred Practice Pattern Guidelines advise against the AREDS formulas for early stage AMD. 

AREDS Report #8 indicated potential harm from zinc use by early AMD patients. (Chew, 2001)

Some individuals will experience harmful results from taking zinc due to a common AMD genetic risk profile. Only the VitaRisk genetic test can identify people who should avoid high-dose zinc supplements. (Kaufman, 2020) (Vavvas, 2018) (Seddon, 2016) (Awh, 2014, 2013)

The best choice for early stage retinal conditions is a macular pigment carotenoid formula containing lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.

Similar to AMD, the diabetic retina can be characterized by:

• low macular pigment density and poor contrast sensitivity
• elevated inflammatory markers and impaired innate anti-oxidative/anti-inflammatory capacity (TNF, CRP, CFH, SOD2, NRF2)
• mitochondrial dysfunction
• tissue ischemia, hypoxia, and oxidative stress
• upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), & choroidal neovascularization (CNV) - also termed Proliferative Diabetic Choroidopathy. (Hua et al., 2017) 

Increasing the Macular Pigment Density in diabetic eyes is known to improve visual function. (Hu, 2016) (Garcia-Medina, 2016) (Roig-Revert, 2015) (Moschos, 2017)

Vision Elements Early Defence is formulated with all three macular protective pigments known to increase macular pigment volume.

• Early AMD patients, due to concerns of geographic atrophy progression and amyloid deposition. (Nan, 2013) ( Huang, 2000) (Chew, 2001) (AREDS, 2001)
• Diabetics should avoid high zinc doses > 50mg; may induce elevated A1c (Cunningham, 1994)
• Men at risk for prostate cancer should avoid high-dose zinc and vitamin E (Klein, 2011) (Leitzmann, 2003)
• Those with cardiovascular disease, risk of bleeding or stroke, and those on blood thinners should avoid vitamin E. (Waters, 2002) (HOPE-TOO Trial, 2005)
• Those concerned by risk of Alzheimer's Disease should avoid high-dose zinc supplements. (Huang, 2000)

AMD genetic testing is the only safe way to consume zinc containing eye vitamins. (Kaufman, 2020) (Vavvas, 2018) (Seddon, 2016) (Awh, 2014, 2013)

Although meso-zeaxanthin is a bona-fide dietary carotenoid, it's nearly impossible to obtain sufficient amounts through food sources. Supplementation trials with lutein, alone, have shown only modest results in increasing macular pigment optical volume (MPOV). Studies which included meso-zeaxanthin demonstrated more rapid and robust increases in MPOV. (Ma, 2016)