What can you do to support your eyesight from deteriorating?
Of course you’ll need to consult your specialist for your particular medical situation, but as a general rule, we all benefit from taking in the right vitamins and minerals. So here we take a look at Eye Vitamins & Supplements for Eye Health.
This article starts with an overview of the vitamins and nutrients known to be crucial for eye health. The bottom line here is leafy green vegetables are crucial in getting the right nutrients for healthy eyes… so if you’re not keen on eating your veggies daily a supplement may be in order.
If you don’t really care about the explanations and want to go straight to finding a supplement designed for eye health, scroll down for reviews of top selling eye vitamins… or go to Amazon to get this top selling supplement specially formulated for eye health.
Which Vitamins and Nutrients do you need for Eye Health?
Eating a balanced diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables is a great way to get the nutrition you need for good health. Research indicates several vitamins in particular are helpful in the prevention and management of various eye conditions. The key vitamins to include in your diet (or to supplement if you need) are:
Lutein & Zeaxanthin
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoids found in the macula and retina of human eyes. They help to filter blue light, protecting your eyes from damage. They are found in leafy greens like spinach, kale, swiss chard and collard greens.
Studies have indicated they help in preventing the development and progression of cataracts and AMD.
Vitamin A
Found in “yellow” foods such as pumpkins, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes as well as in leafy green vegetables.
Studies have shown Vitamin A to reduce risks of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It helps maintain a healthy cornea and plays a role in your ability to see in low light conditions.
B Vitamins – B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12
These vitamins can be found in oats, whole grains, dairy products, fish, poultry, beef, mushroom and fortified foods. Some B vitamins, such as B2 (riboflavin), and B3 (niacin) are antioxidants.
Studies have shown certain B vitamins to be helpful to reduce risk of developing particular eye conditions including AMD, cataracts and glaucoma. B1 (Thiamine) has been linked to reducing the risk of cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant which may protect your eyes (and other parts of your body) against the damaging effects of free radicals. It is found in avocados, nuts, seeds, oils, salmon and leafy green vegetables.
Studies have indicated it is helpful in against AMD and age-related cataracts.
Vitamin C
Another antioxidant that can protect your body against free radicals. It is found in broccoli, kale, green leafy vegetables, bell peppers, citrus and tropical fruits.
Studies have found this helpful for people with AMD, and reduces the risk of developing cataracts.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The retina of the eye contains a high concentration of DHA, a type of Omega 3 fatty acid. You can get omega-3s from your diet in fish, seeds, nuts, soy, and olive oil.
Omega 3 fatty acids are believed to help prevent diabetic retinopathy and to help with dry eyes.
What is AREDS2 and how is it related to eye vitamins?
AREDS2 refers to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study sponsored by the National Eye Institute. The results of this study were published in 2013. AREDS2 was a follow up from the original AREDS published in 2001.
AREDS found that a daily supplement containing vitamin C, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, zinc, copper and beta-carotene reduced the risk of progressive age related macular degeneration by 25% among participants with early and intermediate AMD.
AREDS2 investigated a modification to the original supplement tested in AREDS, and included the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin (and no beta-carotene). The study found this supplement reduced risk of AMD progression in participants, and was particularly helpful for people who had low amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin in their daily diet.
Review of Supplements for Eye Health
Often the foods we consume don’t provide us with enough minerals and multivitamins. Perhaps your diet isn’t as great as it should be, or perhaps you have become run down.
You can have vitamin deficiencies due to poor nutrition, illness, aging or other health conditions. In these situations supplementing can help you cover the bases.
Numerous research studies prove that supplements for eye health have several positive results. Taking a regular supplement may help to prevent the development or worsening of eye problems.
Listed below are the best eye vitamins available on the market:
PreserVision AREDS 2 Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
The PreserVision Vitamins by Bausch & Lomb are made from a clinically proven formula designed to help people with AMD.
This supplement uses the AREDS 2 formula developed for the Age-Related Eye Disease Study sponsored by the National Eye Institute.
It contains the key nutrients lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc. Full ingredients list: Ascorbic acid, gelatin, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, glycerin, soybean oil, zinc oxide, marigold flower extract, soy lecithin, yellow beeswax, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, cupric oxide, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Blue 1.
The best way to consume these supplements is to take 2 gels daily: one on the morning and the other one in the evening, both should be taken with food.
This product is a #1 Best seller on Amazon in the category of Multiple Vitamin-Mineral Combination Supplements. Find the best price on Amazon now.
Pros
- Formula based on extensive scientific research
- Beta-carotene free, which is important for smokers and ex-smokers
- Specially designed to help with aged related eye diseases, and is a more beneficial formula than a standard multivitamin.
Cons
- Patented formula not available as a store brand (but is available on Amazon).
Healths Harmony Lutein Eye Vitamin
Lutein is a type of carotenoid – a yellow to red pigment found in vegetables. As well as being found in plants, it’s also found in the macula of the eye.
Lutein is helpful for people who are facing eye diseases such as cataracts, AMD and retinitis pigmentosa. Apart from this, it is also used for preventing diseases such as diabetes, breast cancer, and colon cancer.
Most multivitamins comes with Lutein in them; however, it is only present in small amount per tablet. A larger quantity is required for vitamins targeting eye health.
Healths Harmony Lutein Eye Vitamins combine lutein with other helpful eye vitamins. They are made from a combination of powerful ingredients that will give your eyes the health they deserve.
Ingredients include grape seed, vitamin A, Bilberry and zinc. These help to prevent inflammation, enhances night vision and soothes your eye lens. Ingredients list: Vitamin A (beta-carotene) 25,000 IU, Zinc (aspartate) 25 mg, Lutein 20 mg, Bilberry (20% extract) 80 mg, Grape Seed (95% extract) 100 mg, Quercetin Dihydrate 100 mg, L-Taurine 400 mg, N-Acetyl L-Cysteine 200 mg. Other ingredients: Gelatin (bovine), vegetable magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide.
The best thing about these supplements for eye health is that they are full of natural ingredients and free from all fillers.
Find the best price now on Amazon.
Pros
- Contains high dose of Lutein for optimal eye health
- Natural vitamin and herb formula
- No fillers or artificial ingredients
- Reduces eye fatigue and inflammation
- Premium quality, made in USA FDA approved facilities
Cons
- Need to take 2 a day
Lipotriad Visionary AREDS2 Eye Vitamins
Lipotriad Visionary is completely natural and contains no artificial ingredients. Tthey are safe for smokers and the low zinc formula is useful for people who have digestion problems for larger doses of zinc.
The softgel is easy to swallow and you only need one softgel dosage a day.
The founder of this product has a family history of the eye disease called macular degeneration. She created the quality, natural product she wanted to buy.
This formula is based on the AREDS2 Study, but compared to its competitors this product stands out as being free from artificial ingredients.
Find the best price now on Amazon.
Pros
- Doctor recommended formula based on the AREDS2 study
- No artificial ingredients or dyes
- Reduced zinc dosage for easy digestion
- Only need 1 per day
Cons
- Initially appears more expensive than alternatives, but it’s not when you consider that you only need one of these a day, whereas the other 2 products reviewed here require 2 doses a day.
Legal Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
Conclusion
If you experience eye problems you should pay a visit to an eye specialist to check what’s causing it.
However, good nutrition is important for everyone in maintaining eye health. If you don’t eat a wide range of vegetables, particularly leafy greens, on a daily basis, you may need to supplement to ensure you don’t develop age related eye problems.
The AREDS2 study has shown a particular formula of supplement was helpful for people with AMD and possibly other eye problems.
Taking the right eye vitamins, based on the AREDS2 formula, can act as a remarkable defense against several vision problems, and is a key part of keeping your eyes as healthy as possible.