6 Types of Supplements For Healthy Eyes

Lutein/zeaxanthin

• Carotenes family
• High concentration in human eyes.
• Strong antioxidant effect.
• Able to reduce risk of AMD and cataract.
• AREDS2 showed 10mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin able to reduce risk of advanced AMD.
• Able to filter blue light.

Beta-carotene

• Carotenes family. Similar to lutein and zeaxanthin.
• Strong antioxidant effect.
• AREDS showed the effect of beta-carotene to reduce risk of advanced AMD.
• However due to its pro-oxidant effect, able to increase the risk of lung cancer.
• Lutein/zeaxanthin cannot be consumed together with beta-carotene as it will reduce the absorption of either one.

Fish oil

• Contain omega 3 LCPUFA

• EPA and DHA is more important.
• Able to prevent dysfunction of meibomian gland and maintain tear film stability, thus maintain eye moisture.
• Reduce post-op eye inflammation.
• Antioxidant, reduce risk of advanced AMD

Vitamin C

• Water soluble vitamin
• Play a role in the antioxidant reaction in the eyes, eg: as an antioxidant by itself and as a catalyst for other antioxidant enzyme.
• It is included in the AREDS formulation.
• Long term use able to reduce risk of cataract.

Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol)

• As vitamin C, is an antioxidant.
• Lower concentration compared to Vitamin C in the eye
• Studies showed able to reduce the risk of advanced AMD and cataract by its antioxidant effect.
• Also being included in AREDS formulation

Zinc and Copper

• Both are trace element in human body
• Zinc is an important trace element for eyes
• Able to act as an catalyst for the other antioxidant enzyme and act as an antioxidant by itself.
• Copper required lower dose compared to zinc
• But similar to zinc, copper act as an antioxidant and catalyst for other antioxidant enzymes.
• Copper also added together with zinc as high dose of zinc may cause some adverse effect such as anaemia.