NUTRACEUTICALS? SUPPLEMENTS? VITAMINS? Call them what you want, but no matter what, the demand for preventive eyecare is on the rise, and nutraceuticals play a big role in this growth. In fact, over 70% of U.S. adults take dietary supplements regularly, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition. And eye health is one of the fastest-growing categories.
Vision Support
Promoting healthy eye moisture and tear production, Vision Support offers 1,460 mg of omega-3s, 20 mg of FloraGLO (lutein) and 4 mg of zeaxanthin. In addition to supporting overall eye and brain health, this supplement protects the eyes against damaging ultraviolet blue light.
(800) 662-2544, nordic.com
VisionMD Comprehensive Vision and Eye Support
Surpassing the benefits of standard eye vitamins, VisionMD was developed with the help of the results of significant AREDS2 and CARMIS studies. It offers eye protection against digital exposure using clinically targeted antioxidants (plus lutein and astaxanthin) and three trademarked active ingredients.
1md.org
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Preservision Areds 2
Made from plant-based sources, PreserVision AREDS 2 uses a National Eye Institute-recommended nutrient formula needed to reduce the risk of progression from moderate to advanced age-related macular degeneration. Backed by 20 years of clinical research, this eye vitamin and mineral supplement is also offered in a vegan softgel.
(866) 246-8245, bausch.com
Hydroeye
Created to work from the inside out, HydroEye features a proprietary blend of the dry-eye omega GLA. In peer-reviewed research, it is clinically shown to relieve dry eye, and its key nutrients support a healthy tear film and soothe the ocular surface.
(888) 433-4726, sciencebasedhealth.com
Omega-3 From Fish & Algae Oil
With one softgel offering 600 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, this supplement blends fish oil with algae oil, and is purified to remove mercury. Supporting healthy eyes as well as brain and heart health, this oil blend is made with sustainably caught fish and cultivated algae.
naturemade.com
Smart Ways to Support Nutraceuticals For Eye Health
Brandee Marciano, ODMarciano Family
Optometric
West Palm Beach, FL
I work with patients with dry eyes and spend a lot of time talking to people about the cycle of dryness: why they’re having these symptoms, what’s causing them, and the fact that when they jump on this merry-go-round of dryness they’re going to have irritation. They’re going to have inflammation. I explain to patients that I want to work on each of these irritants and problems. I brought in HydroEye because the GLA component, which is black currant seed oil, actually helps inflammation, which is a cycle of the dry eye. This is why it’s different than anything that you buy over the counter.
Jeffry Gerson, OD FAAOGrin Eye Care
Olathe, KS
In our office, we recommend PreserVision AREDS 2. It was super easy to decide on this one because there’s probably nothing, over the counter, as this is, or prescription, that is more studied and validated as far as how well it works. For people with an intermediate dry macular degeneration, there’s fantastic science that says this is what you should be doing. So, I can say, “This is what the science says, and this is something that is readily available and easy for you to obtain.” So that’s really the why: It’s good science, it’s convenient, and it’s easy.
