Are Eye Supplements Worth It? What Science Says About Eye Vitamins

Supplements… If you were to believe the hype, you’d be popping a list of pills as long as your arm to support your vision—or that’s what the manufacturers would like us to believe.  

However, do you actually need them? And, if so, what do you need and how do you know which are the best?

Forget Dr. Google (that’ll have you spending half your net worth on Lutein, Niacin, Zeaxanthin, etc., etc…) What’s important to understand is the proven science-backed approach regarding supplements and eye health. The bottom line is that, for those with no particular health conditions, who eat a balanced diet, and take regular exercise, then there should be no real need for additional nutritional support for your vision.

OK, great. So. I can stop reading then… Well, hold your horses just a moment. Because there are some situations when taking additional minerals and vitamins aren’t only beneficial for eye health, but they can make a very real and significant difference.

Who Would Benefit from Additional Nutritional Support for Vision?

One condition that appears to benefit from eye supplements is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is a complex disease with two different types, categorized as wet and dry. It can occur in one or both eyes and dry AMD is the most common. Both can exist in early and late stages and dry AMD can progress to wet (told you it was complex). Studies into supplemental nutritional support to slow the progression of the disease are ongoing, with the latest research (in 2024) showing positive evidence that those with both early and later-stage dry AMD can benefit from taking a particular vitamin and mineral combination of:

• Vitamin C.
• Vitamin E.
• Lutein.
• Zeaxanthin.
• Zinc.
• Copper.

This information comes on the back of an ongoing, large-scale, age-related eye disease study (AREDS) that was carried out from 1992-2012 and sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2024, following yet more research on the same cohorts as in the original studies, this vitamin and mineral supplement blend is now believed to potentially slow the disease progression by up to 55% over 3 years.

This is an incredibly significant finding, allowing those with AMD to remain independent and have a dramatically better quality of life.

The (non) Case for Eye Supplements Outside of an AMD Diagnosis

While there is some evidence for taking a supplement for those with certain types of AMD (backed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology) for the rest of us, nutrition is best gained from eating a healthy diet. Yes, if you have a condition that causes you to be deficient in something then of course certain eye supplements can help. But this should be something that’s clinically advised (either from your ophthalmologist or another health care provider), rather than a random decision to dose up on supplements.

Getting the best nutritional support for your vision should ideally be gained through eating foods like:

• Whole grains: Think brown rice, barley, and whole wheat, etc. These are fiber-rich and contain essential B vitamins, E vitamins, healthy fats, and trace minerals. As well as providing nutrients for eye health, they also benefit digestion and lower disease risk, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
• Oily fish: The case for chowing down on fish, such as mackerel, sardines, herring, and tuna is thanks to the high levels of unsaturated omega-3 oils they contain. These are needed at a cellular level for eye tissue regeneration. It’s also believed they may play a role in reducing the risk of developing AMD and glaucoma. Healthy levels of omega-3 oils are also beneficial for combatting dry eye.
• Vegan sources of unsaturated omega-3: if fish isn’t on the menu, load up on dishes containing soybeans, walnuts, flaxseed, and canola oil instead.

If you can, opt for organically produced food. This is less likely to contain harmful levels of pesticides, herbicides, and—for animal-based foods—unlikely to have been pumped full of antibiotics and growth hormones. Organic food also contains higher levels of the vitamins and minerals your eyes and body need, providing you with more nutritional value per mouthful.

Of course, everyone’s visual health is different. There is a case for eye supplements in some cases. However, taking them should be on the advice of your ophthalmologist—otherwise you really could be spending money on something you don’t need.

At the West Boca Eye Center, we can help you further understand the best nutritional support for visual health. From great dietary choices to eye supplements for those who need them, our world-leading eye doctors will be happy to answer all your questions based on the very latest scientific advice.

Find out more at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/