What Are Eye Health Vitamins
Eye health vitamins are vitamin supplements specifically designed to contain the vital vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and nutrients needed to support and maintain eye health. They can help protect against eye damage and reduce the risk of certain eye conditions such as AMD (Age related macular degeneration).
Benefits Of Eye Vitamins
Eye health vitamins concentrate on delivering the essentials for optimum eye health, over time factors such as aging, oxidative stress, poor nutrition and busy lifestyles with large amounts of hours spent staring at a computer, a phone or both, can increase the risk of damage to your eyes and experiencing conditions including cataracts, macular degeneration and a general visual decline.
There are important vitamins you need to maintain optimum eye health, and although most of these can be obtained through a healthy life styeabd a balanced diet, we don't all have the time to focus on this as much as perhaps we should.
Topping up your vitamin intake with specific eye health supplement can provide long-term benefits by supporting eye function, reducing inflammation, and combatting the effects of free radicals (unstable molecules that can harm cells in the body and the eyes).
Over time, factors like aging, oxidative stress, and poor nutrition can increase the risk of conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and general vision decline.
Eye health vitamins can help:
- Support the retina, cornea, and other eye structures
- Reduce dryness and inflammation
- They may reduce the risk of cataracts, AMD
Retinal Damage Attributed To Blue Light Radiation
Recent studies have highlighted that over time, prolonged exposure to bluelight can cause damage to the retina due to a toxic cascade that leads to an increase in oxidative damage and death of cells. The damage to the photoreceptors in the eye can't be undone as they do not regenerate, however, this damage can be prevented by the correct amounts of Astaxanthin.
Reduced Eye Strain And Fatigue
Omega 3, Lutien, and Astaxanthin can relieve the discomfort of digital eye strain, and they are known to help maintain moisture
Protection Against Age-Related Eye Conditions
Nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins C and E have been shown to slow the progression of age related eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataract. AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) and AREDS2 trials demonstrated that specific combinations of these nutrients can reduce AMD risk by up to 25%.
Improved Night Vision
Vitamin A and zinc work together to maintain the eyes' photoreceptors, hence sharpening vision in low light conditions.
Supports overall Eye Health
A mixture of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin, and Zinc can help maintain retinal cells, healthy blood vessels, and photo receptors, helping the eyes to be their best and reducing the likelihood of irritation, dryness, blurred vision, and future damage..
Choosing The Right Eye Health Vitamin Supplement
Choosing the right eye health vitamin for you is a matter of personal choice and need, so before deciding which vitamin is right for you ask yourself what you want them to do,
- Do you have a family history of eye diseases?
- Are you a heavy screen user who experiences eye strain or fatigue?
- Are you over 50 and looking to delay or prevent cataracts and/or macular degeneration?
- Are you an outdoor enthusiast exposed to lots of sunlight?
- Is your diet low in fruits, vegetables, or fatty fish?
Any or all of these may indicate that supplementing your diet with an eye health focused vitamin might be beneficial.
Caution -
Before you start taking any vitamins or supplements, it's advised you talk to your healthcare provider, especially so if:
You are taking certain medications (i.e, blood thinners might not mix well with high vitamin E)
You have health conditions like diabetes or kidney issues
You are pregnant or breastfeeding
What Are The Best Vitamins And Nutrients For Eye Health
When looking for eye health specific vitamins, there are definitely some that are better than others. Here is our list of the essential ones
- Vitamin A (and Beta-Carotene) - Important for maintaining the light sensitive cells (photo-receptors) in the retina, it also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the eyes from damage such as dry eyes and night blindness, cataracts and AMD. Beta-Carotene (carot - tene) is found in colourful veggies such as carrots
- Vitamin C - Helps protect the eyes from oxidative stress due to free radicals caused by exposure to UV light and environmental toxins. Studies have shown its benefits in delaying the onset of cataracts and slowing the progression of AMD
- Vitamin E - helps to shield and protect the cell membranes in the eye from damage caused by free radicals. Research shows that sufficient doses of Vitamin E may help reduce the risk of cataracts and help support eye longevity
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin - These are found naturally in the macula - the part of the eye that is responsible for central vision and visual detail- they absorb harmful blue light and neutralise free radicals. Lutein and Zeaxanthin can reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases such as AMD and improve visual performance. They can be found naturally in green leafy veggies such as spinach and kale
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Are critical for retinal health and tear production. They can help reduce inflammation, alleviate dry eye disease (DED), and may help in the fight against AMD. Omega-3s (particularly DHA and EPA) can be found naturally in fatty fish such as herring and mackerel
- Zinc - Has a vital role in transporting Vitamin A from the liver to the retina, where it is needed to produce the protective piment melanin in the eyes. A diet with insufficient Zinc can lead to poor night vision and an increased risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts and AMD. Zinc can be naturally found in legumes, red meat, shellfish, nuts, and seeds, so you can consume enough via a healthy, varied diet. Too much zinc can interfere with Iron and copper absorption and cause nausea and even vomiting - it is always advised to speak with your doctor or dietician if you think you could benefit from a zinc
supplement. If you are looking for eye health vitamins that are ZINC FREE, check out Viteyes 2 ZINC, being Zinc free so ideal for those with zinc sensitivities
- Antioxidants - Antioxidants such as Bilberry Extract and Astaxanthin add an extra layer of protection for the eyes
- Billberry extract - Is rich in anthocyanins, which support the flow of blood to the eyes and may enhance night vision
- Astaxanthin - Is a super-antioxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory properties, a strong carotenoid that crosses the blood/retina barrier, so can reduce eye fatigue and inflammation and serve as an effective treatment of DED. and has shown to play a part in the prevention and treatment of several ocular diseases such as, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract. It is particularly favourable with people who spend long hours staring at digital devices. Astaxanthin is naturally found in seafood such as salmon, shrimp and lobster
Words Of Advice
- Always read the enclosed leaflet carefully before using this product.
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, do not use these products
- Not recommended for children under 12
- Do not exceed the recommended daily dosage.
- Take for as long as required.
- Food Supplements are intended to supplement the diet and should not be regarded as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet or a healthy lifestyle.
- Talk with your ophthalmologist, family doctor, or dietician about whether nutritional supplements are recommended for you.
