Can a daily multivitamin alone provide the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc as the areds formulation?

Yes, but...: It would be tough to find. Even ones that are for eyes would be unlikely to have that level of nutrients. Some better vitamins that are 6 to 8 capsules per daily dose may contain enough.

Depends: It depends on the multivitamin. Several of them have doses of the areds supplements which are similar or equal to those of the areds study. In addition, the areds 2 study demonstrated that 25mg of zinc (a level not much higher than most multivitamins) was just as effective as 80 mg. Bottom line - read the label to be sure. Also, some of the the areds vitamins are available with a multivitamin.