It’s unfortunate, but too many individuals have experienced symptoms of different ocular health issues and have sought out eye health supplements to combat them. Usually, these symptoms appear more frequently in individuals above the age of 35 [1], but eye health can be an issue for individuals of nearly all ages.
You may have seen advertisements for nutritional eye supplements or eye vitamins that can help combat these common symptoms. But do eye supplements work? Is it possible that vitamins and minerals can benefit your eyesight and preserve healthy vision? Keep reading to find out.
Note: As always, your physician is your number-one resource for information about your eye health. Always consult your eye care physician and primary care doctor before taking eye health vitamins and dietary supplements.
What Are Eye Health Supplements?
Nutrition plays an essential role in your overall health, including your eyes. Eye vitamins are a type of health supplement, usually found in the form of pills that add necessary nutrients to the body to replenish what may be missing.
Vitamin deficiencies can play a part in ocular issues. [2] If you’re affected by symptoms of macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma or other vision issues, you may think eye vitamins are the way to combat those symptoms. If you’re missing any essential nutrients, your doctor may recommend eye health supplements to counteract the negative symptoms.
Can Supplements Improve Eye Health?
Many studies have been conducted on the potential benefits of eye supplements on ocular health. However, some experts doubt the scientific accuracy of these results – citing short duration times and too many variables as reasons not to make any solid conclusions. However, the AREDS and AREDS2 studies seem to be the accepted exception in the scientific community. The National Eye Institute conducted the AREDS (Age-Related Eye Diseases Studies). These studies were focused on two critical eye diseases that affect millions of senior Americans: age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration is the current leading cause of vision loss in people over 60 in the United States – affecting approximately 15 million people [3]. It’s primarily associated with aging, but some forms can affect the younger generations as well. Age-related macular degeneration occurs when cells in the macula area of the retina begin to deteriorate.
The AREDS studies have found that taking the right combination of eye health supplements can reduce the risk of progression from intermediate-level to advanced AMD by about 25 percent [4].
Age-Related Cataracts
A cataract is the clouding of the lens of any eye. A cataract can impair your ability to see well enough to perform normal, everyday tasks and can get worse over time. Cataracts are prevalent, especially in adults. Both lutein and zeaxanthin supplements were seen to reduce the need for cataract surgery [4] in individuals who previously had low dietary levels.
Types of Beneficial Eye Health Vitamins
Which vitamin is good for the eyes? It turns out there are quite a few. The following are active ingredients in TOZAL®. TOZAL® goes beyond the AREDS 2 formula to support ocular health?with a combination of Taurine, Omega-3 from fish oil, Zinc, Antioxidants, Lutein/Zeaxanthin, Vitamins A, B6, D3 and Folic Acid.
- Taurine: Taurine is an amino acid that protects the photoreceptor cells of the retina allowing the optic nerve to process light [5].
- Vitamin A (as Retinyl Palmitate): Helps process night vision and acts in combination with other antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, which may help decrease the progression of AMD. [6]
- Vitamin D3: Adequate vitamin D levels may prevent AMD in people with a high genetic risk. [8]
- Zinc: Zinc is found naturally in your eyes and is a powerful antioxidant that can protect against cell damage [2].
- Lutein & Zeaxanthin: Lutein and zeaxanthin are known as carotenoids. These carotenoids are found in the retina and may help protect against high-energy blue and ultraviolet light. [7]
- Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids: Omega-3 essential fatty acids are thought to play a role in reducing inflammation and helping cells of the retina and cornea heal and sometimes regenerate after damage from light exposure and typical aging. It also may help relieve dry eye symptoms [2].
Do You Need Vitamins for Eyes?
So, do you really need eye health vitamins? Can eye supplements improve vision and help with symptoms of ocular health issues? A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle should always be your first source of essential vitamins and minerals, but sometimes individuals can’t obtain the high amounts of vitamins found in eye health supplements from a healthy diet alone. Therefore, vision supplements may be a beneficial route to take when experiencing the symptoms of adverse ocular health.
The Best Supplements for Eye Health Are Found at Focus Labs
At Focus Labs, ensuring you have healthy eyes is our number one priority. In addition to our line of products designed to promote and maintain eye health, Focus Labs has developed eye health supplements that support ocular health and combat dry eye symptoms. View our entire selection today. If you have any questions about our eye vitamins or other products, please contact us. Our dedicated team of optimal eye health experts is standing by and ready to assist you.
Sources:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/8567-common-age-related-eye-problems
- https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-eye-health/eyes-and-nutrition/
- https://www.gene.com/patients/disease-education/amd-fact-sheet
- https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2/about-areds-and-areds2
- Huxtable, R. J. (1992, January). Physiological actions of taurine. Physiological Reviews, 72(1), 101-163
- Heiting, G. (2017). Vitamin A And Beta-Carotene: Eye Benefits. Retrieved from All About Vision: allaboutvision.com
- The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group*. (2013). Lutein + Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Age-Related Macular Degeneration The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA., 309(19), 2005-2015.
- 10] Millen AE, Meyers KJ, Liu Z, et al. (2015). Association Between Vitamin D Status and Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Genetic Risk. JAMA Ophthalmol, 133(10), 1171-1179.
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