High doses of certain vitamins may slow or halt the vision loss caused by AMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study in 2001 indicated that people with moderate to advanced wet or dry AMD reduced their risk for further vision loss by taking high doses of zinc, beta carotene, and vitamins C and E. The supplement combination tested was a daily dose of 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, 15 mg of beta carotene (often as vitamin A; up to 25,000 IU), 80 mg of zinc (as zinc oxide), and 2 mg of copper (as cupric oxide). Talk to your health care provider before taking these supplements, because there may be health risks. If you are a smoker or a former smoker, high doses of beta carotene (vitamin A) may increase your risk for lung cancer. Doses of vitamin E higher than 400 IU have been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular death.