Many different vitamins and minerals can be beneficial in promoting healthy eye health and aiding in proper vision. These include things like zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, copper, lutein, and Vitamin B1. Many of these vitamins and minerals can be consumed through dietary sources (hence why your parents may have told you to eat your carrots). However, supplements can boost these vitamin and mineral levels to make the benefits more apparent.
It is important to note that much of our eye health, including our vision, comes down to genetics and age, meaning supplemental aid may not do much for our eyes. The most important controllable factors include maintaining a healthy and balanced diet/ lifestyle and staying away from harmful activities like smoking.
Our vision is crucial, so many different eye supplements exist. There are natural vision support supplements, like Lutenol, clinically proven supplements, like Physicians Choice Eye Health, and many more. What are the best eye supplements? Let’s take a closer look.
The Different Types Of Eye Supplements
A healthy diet and lifestyle help to slow the eventual progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the main cause of blindness in adults over the age of 50. Based on research, the following are vitamins and minerals that have proven to be most effective in promoting eye health and slowing the advancement of AMD:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Zinc (zinc oxide)
- Copper (cupric oxide)
- Zeaxanthin
- Lutein
Other popular eye supplements may contain the following:
- Vitamin A
- Fatty acids
- B vitamins
- Vitamin D
- Antioxidants (usually from plant sources)
Eye Supplement Benefits
Eye supplements can be beneficial for our eyes in many different ways. Below are some of the functions of the main supplements used to promote eye health and vision:
- Fatty acids (specifically the omega-3s DHA and EPA enhance retinal function and visual development
- Fatty acids also aid in dry eye treatment
- Vitamin E may delay the advancement of AMD and reduce the risk of cataracts
- Being Vitamin D deficient can impact eye health
- Vitamin C lowers the risk of cataracts
- B vitamins contribute to proper retina health
- Vitamin A helps protest the eye’s surface and promotes better night vision
- Zinc increases the absorption of Vitamin A, helps with night vision, and helps make melanin that protects the eyes
Should I Take Eye Supplements?
Eye supplements can be beneficial for your eye health, especially if you are of older age and suffer from AMD. However, some eye supplements are more beneficial in dietary form. For instance, the bioavailability of some vitamin supplements is not great, and the dietary form of the vitamin would be more beneficial. Additionally, if you have pre-existing health conditions, certain vitamin and mineral supplements may need to be avoided.
Dietary sources of many of these vitamins and minerals are plentiful, but should you choose to use eye supplements, check the dosage and bioavailability of the product to make sure it’s effective.
Do Eye Supplements Really Work?
Although a healthy diet and lifestyle are crucial in promoting eye health and vision, some supplements have been shown to be effective. Most scientists and medical professionals agree that more research is needed in the eye health area, as many of these studies are too short and too variable.
However, the AREDS (age-related eye disease study) offers the most conclusive research when it comes to eye supplements and found certain vitamins and minerals were able to slow the progression of advanced/mild AMD by 25%.
The Best Eye Supplements
Pure Synergy Eye Protector
This product comes highly rated by users and offers a blend of carotenoid protectors (tomato extract, saffron extract, buckthorn extract), flavonoid protectors (black currant extract, elderberry), and enzyme protectors (catalase, kale and watercress extracts).
Life Extension MacuGuard Occular Support
This product contains a blend of saffron, phospholipids, marigold flower extract, and black currant extract to provide key nutrients like lutein and cyanidin-3-glucoside. It is highly rated and affordable.
Physicians Choice Eye Health
This product is highly rated and affordable. It has been clinically proven to be effective in improving eye strain, visual performance, and eye fatigue. It contains Vitamins C, E, and B12 as well as zinc, folate, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Eye Supplement Alternatives
Dietary alternatives to many of these eye supplements are plentiful as many of these supplements are just different vitamins and minerals. Below are some great dietary sources to implement into your diet to promote eye health and vision:
- Carrots (Vitamin A)
- Orange fruits and vegetables (Vitamin A, beta-carotene)
- Green leafy vegetables (carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin)
- Fish (omegas)
- Nuts and seeds (omegas)
- Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruit (vitamin C)
- Avocados (Vitamin E)
- Beans like black-eyed peas, kidney beans, and lima beans (zinc)
Promoting Healthy Eyes And Good Sight With Eye Supplements
Healthy eyesight becomes important and more difficult to maintain as we grow older. There are many eye supplements in the form of essential vitamins and minerals that can help promote our vision and eye health. These supplements can also benefit other bodily systems as well, which may make them ideal for use. However, the efficacy of many of these vitamins at helping our eyesight and eye health is limited, and you may be better off promoting this health at the dietary level.
