Eye health in focus: Nutritional innovations combat digital and age-related vision problems

01 Feb 2024 --- As people’s screen time increases and age-related eye concerns rise, the demand for offerings that help maintain eye health continues to expand. Nutritional supplements and specific ingredients have emerged in the space, offering a range of benefits, from protecting against environmental damage to slowing the progression of age-related conditions.

Additionally, Innova Market Insights’ data suggests that, between 2018 and 2022, there was a 7% annual growth in the launch of food, beverage and supplement products with eye health claims. Vitamin C was the most commonly used ingredient in these products, with vitamin A also being prominently featured. From 2021 to 2022, the most frequent health claims associated with these eye health products were related to brain health, mood enhancement and the inclusion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Nutrition Insight looks at some of the latest research, innovations, supplements and ingredients to help support eye health in conversation with several leading suppliers.

“An analysis, published in Lancet in 2022, has shown the global prevalence of deficiency in at least one of three core micronutrients (iron, zinc and vitamin A) to be at 56% among preschool-aged children and at 69% among non-pregnant women of reproductive age,” explains Maja Orešnik, the science and research director at PharmaLinea. “Knowing the importance of vitamin A and zinc for eye health, such numbers are extremely high.”

“Even if nutrient deficiencies are more prevalent in developing countries, highly processed foods that are largely consumed in the industrialized world often don’t cover daily micronutrient requirements either. Promoting a balanced diet, as well as supplementation with products that safeguard the vision is highly important.”

Orešnik emphasizes that taking supplements that combine high-quality lutein and zeaxanthin, alongside specific vitamins and minerals, is particularly beneficial for people on plant-based diets as these nutrients are not usually consumed in adequate amounts and require supplementation.

“With the increasing use of digital devices, from smartphones and tablets to computers and televisions, people spend more time in front of screens,” reveals Oksana Ritchie, the head of marketing at Kyowa Hakko. “This prolonged screen time exposes the eyes to blue light emitted by these devices.”

“Research suggests that excessive screen time is associated with digital eye strain, which includes symptoms like dry eyes, eye fatigue and discomfort.”

Understanding eye health
As humans age, their eyesight naturally deteriorates. A main cause of this deterioration is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a condition that affects central vision, often leading to blurriness. This issue stems from the aging process damaging the macula, a crucial part of the eye responsible for clear, direct vision.

“Our supplements in Your Vision line are based on a widely researched combination of lutein and two zeaxanthin isomers,” Orešnik highlights. “These components are known to deposit in the protective layer of the macula region of the eye, thus improving total macular pigment optical density (MPOD).”

Sirio and Kyowa Hakko have ingredients meant to stave off the negative effects of blue light and screen time.“Consequently, improvements in the quality of vision can be noted — improved photo and contrast sensitivity and visual acuity, decreased disability glare, eye strain and eye fatigue. The formulations are enhanced with the selection of vitamins necessary for optimal eye health and offer additional antioxidant protection.”

At the same time, the University of California in Davis, US, has found that prolonged blue light exposure might lead to retinal cell damage, potentially causing age-related macular degeneration and other vision issues. It may also increase the risk of cataracts, eye cancer and growths on the sclera’s clear covering.

Sirio recently exhibited a softgel aimed at combating negative effects of blue light.

“We call it Blue Guard, because it targets people who work a lot with computers,” says Sara Lesina, the general manager Europe at Sirio. “But it also targets gamers, who spend many hours in front of the screen and pose a degeneration to their macula.”

“Blue Guard has EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) claims for everything and has been proven to protect from and somewhat diminish the effects of blue light. It cannot be a total barrier, because blue light is still not great for you, but this absolutely helps protect your eyesight in the long term.”

The gut-eye axis
Kyowa Hakko’s Vision Postbiotic Eyemuse has been shown to help alleviate digital eye fatigue and support overall eye health. The company spotlights that its pioneering postbiotic variant of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei KW3110, which is processed through heat treatment, aims to enhance overall eye health by bolstering the immune system and mitigating the effects of prolonged digital screen exposure.

“Eyemuse has a unique ability to stimulate immune cells that produce regulatory cytokines, such as IL-10. These regulatory cytokines are vital in supporting a balanced immune response,” says Ritchie. “With the increasing reliance on screens and prolonged exposure to blue light in our daily lives, our eyes are constantly under strain. Eyemuse addresses this concern.”

Ritchie reveals that, in a detailed eight-week double-blind study involving 88 healthy participants, it was observed that individuals consuming supplements containing Eyemuse showed more substantial improvements in “critical flicker frequency,” a measure of eye fatigue, compared to the placebo group.

In a separate randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted over eight weeks with 62 healthy individuals experiencing eye fatigue, Eyemuse’s impact on body strain linked to eye fatigue was evaluated and the results show that those supplementing with the ingredient experienced reduced stiffness in the shoulders and waist.Pharmalinea’s eye health offerings give long term protection as well as defend against aging.

“Its unique characteristics make it a standout ingredient in the market,” she adds. “Eyemuse is the only postbiotic in the world scientifically tested against visual fatigue. This scientific validation sets it apart from other ingredients and demonstrates its efficacy in addressing a specific concern related to digital eye fatigue.”

Futuristic formats for time-tested ingredients
Orešnik states that there is a plethora of scientific studies underpinning the use of lutein and zeaxanthin in vision health. This robust scientific backing distinguishes these ingredients in the vision market and garners recognition from eye care specialists and consumers alike. She adds that suppliers’ studies, which focus on vision enhancement in both elderly and younger adults, form the basis of PharmaLinea’s products.

“The products in Your Vision Line are geared toward three specific demographics,” she underscores. “Firstly, Your Vision Liquid Sticks and Your Vision Syrup are designed for children, for long-term protection of sight, which is important in the digital era.”

“Secondly, Your Vision Orosticks cater to adults — healthy adults, who don’t get enough carotenoids from their diet for their high screen time — for notable improvements in several vision aspects and preventative functions. And thirdly, the same product is also geared toward the elderly for AMD prevention and slowing down the disease progression.”

“The core positioning of our products would be macular degeneration protection,” Orešnik concludes. “However, the benefits can be seen also in the general population.”

By William Bradford Nichols