How to Choose the Best Eye Supplement that is Right for You

In a world where screens dominate our daily lives, maintaining healthy eyes has never been more crucial.

But with countless eye supplements on the market, how do you choose the best eye supplement that is right for you?

In this guide, we'll explore the key factors to consider when choosing the best eye supplement, supported by scientific research and expert insights.

Understand Your Eye Health Needs

No two people are the same, and neither are their eyes. It's therefore essential to understand your individual needs when selecting an eye supplement.

Whether you're dealing with dry eyes, eye pressure issues, ageing changes at the macula or optic nerve, or the effects of long hours in front of a screen, the right supplement can make a significant difference.

Nutrients from a Healthy Diet

Firstly, make sure your daily diet is healthy and balanced. Dietary nutrients that are good for eyes include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C and E, and the minerals zinc and magnesium.

Omega-3 fatty acids are most abundant in fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel. Vitamins A, C and E are plentiful in carrots, fruits and vegetables. Zinc can be found in foods like meat, dairy and legumes, while seeds and grains are great sources of magnesium.

Instead of supplementing with these nutrients which you can obtain from a healthy diet, consider supplements that contain key eye-boosting ingredients like lutein, saffron, bilberry, and ginkgo biloba.

Key Eye-Boosting Ingredients

• Lutein & Zeaxanthin Studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin help to reduce light-induced free radical damage to the macula, making them crucial components of any effective eye supplement.
• Saffron The natural antioxidant action of saffron strongly supports retinal health and macular function, according to the journal Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine.
• Bilberry contains anthocyanins, powerful phytonutrients that can help maintain peripheral vision, relieve dry eyes and reduce eye fatigue.
• Ginkgo biloba benefits eye health by enhancing blood flow and circulation to the eye, optic nerve and the vision-processing part of the brain.
• Methylcobalamin & Methylfolate are bioavailable forms of vitamin B12 and folate respectively. They support the health of the corneal and optic nerves, preserve peripheral vision, and importantly, also help reduce homocysteine levels in the body.

Bioavailability Matters 

Bioavailability refers to how well your body can absorb and use the nutrients in a supplement.

"You aren’t 'what you eat,' as the saying goes — you are what your body is able to digest and absorb. In other words, you are what is bioavailable," says registered dietitian Julie Brown, MS, RDN.

This means that a supplement is only as good as its bioavailability. Supplements using high bioavailability ingredients ensure that you're getting the most benefit from each dose.

Quality & Purity

When choosing an eye supplement, look for products that have been third-party tested to ensure they contain what they claim without harmful contaminants.

"Selecting supplements that avoid artificial colors, preservatives, and unnecessary fillers is crucial for maintaining purity and ensuring that you are not ingesting potentially harmful substances that offer no health benefits," advises Rebecca Jaspan, a registered dietitian for VeryWell Fit.

Manufacturing Location

The regulatory environment in which a supplement is manufactured plays a significant role in ensuring its quality and safety.

Countries like Australia and the United States have stringent regulatory standards for nutritional supplements, which are enforced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) respectively.

These regulations require manufacturers to adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), which ensure that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.

Understanding Risks & Side Effects

When choosing an eye supplement, it is critical to be aware of potential risks and side effects associated with its ingredients.

Many people are unaware that even widely recommended supplements can have significant drawbacks. For example, the popular AREDS2 formula, designed for macular degeneration, is often taken without a thorough understanding of its potential risks.

Side effects such as urinary complications, increased risk of prostate cancer from vitamin E, and the paradoxical worsening of macular degeneration in up to 15% due to zinc, are rarely discussed.

At Nutravision, we prioritise transparency and aim to provide all the information you need to make an informed decision about your eye health.

Customer Reviews & Testimonials

Reading customer reviews can give you a sense of how well a supplement has worked for others with similar eye health concerns. Look for reviews from verified purchasers. Both positive and negative reviews can be helpful.

In this review example, Granville highlights the convenience and cost considerations of taking Nutravision compared to buying multiple different supplements for his eyes.

So for those who value saving time and money, then this review highlights why Nutravision may in fact be better value than lower-priced (and lower quality) alternatives available at discount chemist shops.

Industry Reviews

Additionally, supplements trusted and recommended by eye care professionals or pharmacists tend to have a proven track record of efficacy.

This is because they have better knowledge of how different quality ingredients can truly make a difference to your eye health.