Best Eye Supplements

Vision loss is practically an inevitable part of getting older. Ailments such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and dryness in the eyes due to not producing enough tears commonly start appearing when we reach middle age. There is a correlation between nutritional deficiencies and these ailments. Over-the-counter eye supplements have been shown to alleviate the symptoms of these debilitating disorders and slow down their progression.

We’ll go through some of the entries in the MSN list of the top 10 eye supplements. We’ll take note of the main ingredients, and why they were chosen as being so important for good eyesight. These supplements, together with a proper diet, may help you avoid cataracts and AMD. And these nutrients can slow the progression of these ailments.

What Types of Eye Supplements Are There?

• AREDS Formula: These supplements contain the nutrients that were investigated in the 1992 AREDS study. They contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E, lutein, zinc, and copper. The PreserVision AREDS Supplement soft gels have this composition. Although the AREDS study employed beta carotene, this is replaced in the formulation. This is because beta carotene has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Also, the AREDS study didn’t find that beta carotene lowered the risk of the progression of AMD. For this reason, PreserVision has lutein in it instead, which has noticeable benefits in slowing AMD progression.

PreserVision AREDS Supplement

• AREDS2 Formula: These supplements contain the nutrients that were shown to be effective in the AREDS2 study. They’ll include lutein, zeaxanthin, Vitamin C and E, and zinc and copper. A popular product is the PreserVision AREDS 2 Formula. Some supplements add the fish oils and the Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. This is the formula in the Upnourish AREDS 2 Plus Eye and Vision Supplement.

 PreserVision AREDS 2 Formula

Upnourish AREDS 2 Plus Eye and Vision Supplement

Which Nutrients are in Eye Supplements?

The main ingredients in the AREDS studies fall into 3 categories.

• Antioxidants: These include lutein, zeaxanthin, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Lutein and zeaxanthin are located in the macula, so supplementing these two compounds can help slow down the degeneration of the macula.

• Vitamins: Vitamin C and Vitamin E are antioxidants as well, being able to prevent cell damage due to free radicals. We’re always told that Vitamin A, such as in carrots, is good for the eyes. Vitamin A is indeed essential for the proper functioning of the eye’s rods and cones. But one surprising result of the AREDS study was that beta carotene, which is converted by the body into Vitamin A, didn’t really contribute to slowing down AMD or cataracts.

• Minerals: It is believed that a zinc supplement can reduce the loss of vision from AMD. Zinc is an essential mineral for the body and helps the body create enzymes that are antioxidants. Antioxidants in turn prevent cell damage and aging. Also, zinc helps the body form the visual pigments that are in the eye. But zinc intake actually didn’t influence the results of the AREDS2 study.

What Are Some Things to be Aware of When Taking Eye Supplements?

• Zinc with copper: If the eye supplement that you purchase has zinc in it, you should be certain to also add copper to your diet. This is because additional zinc will cause you to absorb less copper. So you’ll have to add on copper from somewhere else.

• Eye supplements for AMD: Studies show that eye supplements will help slow down AMD in intermediate stages. But vitamins haven’t been shown to prevent it, nor do vitamins help restore vision that has been lost.

Wrap Up

We studied some of the workings behind age-related eye ailments such as cataracts, AMD, and dry-eye syndrome, and how eye supplements are capable of at least slowing down the progression of these diseases. Some of the ingredients, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, are available from a number of vegetable sources, such as broccoli, spinach, corn, and kale. You can’t stop the march of Father Time, but, in addition to a well-balanced diet, eye supplements can help you at least slow Father Time down considerably!