Unlocking better vision: Top eye health supplements and nutrients for enhanced eyesight
The global eye health supplements market is growing, with consumers increasingly focused on vision and eyesight care. Nutrition Insight speaks to AstaReal and Unibar Corporation to learn about science-backed nutrients while examining market trends.
Innova Market Insights data indicates a +3% average annual growth in supplements for eye health from 2020 to 2024. The fastest-growing ingredients were zinc bis-glycinate (39% CAGR), alpha-tocopherol (38%), and acerola (33%).
Between 2020 and 2024, the top eye health subcategories were essential fatty acids 31%, vitamins/minerals 31%, and antioxidants 14%.
The market researcher’s 2025 Trends Survey has found that 25% of consumers globally consider eye health their top concern related to physical health. Seventeen percent of consumers globally have purchased functional food and beverages for eye health in the past 12 months.
Key nutrients for eye health
We explore and reveal key nutrients for eye health, especially since modern lifestyles expose people to cells from damage caused by free radicals or the blue light from digital devices.
Between 2020 and 2024, the top eye health subcategories were essential fatty acids (31% CAGR), vitamins/minerals (31%), and antioxidants (14%).Dr. Behnaz Shakersain, Scientific Affairs manager at AstaReal Sweden, says: “Oxidative stress and inflammation are major contributors to eye-related issues such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, glaucoma, and dry eye disease.”
“Therefore, the majority of ingredients and bioactives that support eye health have antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties, such as carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins like A, C, and E, minerals like zinc and selenium, polyphenols, and some other bioactives like CoQ10 or NAC.”
Dr. Jeffrey Anshel, optometrist and founder of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society, emphasizes an often overlooked truth — eyes are deeply connected to overall health, making nutrition just as important for vision as it is for the rest of the body.
Also a consultant with Unibar Corporation, Anshel underlines the importance of carotenoids for eye health. “Carrots have abundant carotenoid beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the retina, which is important for proper vision. However, beta-carotene is just one piece of the puzzle. Other carotenoids, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and capsanthin, are equally — if not more — important for eye health.”
“Lutein is prevalent throughout the retina, internal lens, and brain. It serves many purposes, such as filtering blue light, increasing contrast, sharpening visual acuity, stabilizing cell membranes, and serving as an antioxidant. Proper lutein levels have been associated with a reduction of AMD.”
Like lutein, zeaxanthin is a “sister” carotenoid that is more common in the macula and the retina, the area responsible for the sharpest vision, according to Anshel. “Research suggests that zeaxanthin may help delay or prevent the progression of eye conditions such as cataracts and AMD. Most supplements on the market contain zeaxanthin if they have lutein, in about a 5:1 ratio.”
Shakersain suggests eye supplements should contain ingredients like carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins like A, C, and E, minerals like zinc and selenium, polyphenols, and some other bioactives like CoQ10 or NAC.“A more recently stabilized and clinically researched carotenoid is capsanthin. Capsanthin from Capsicum annum can address concerns related to dry eye, such as corneal surface inflammation, eye irritation, visual disturbance, tear break-up time, and discomfort with potential damage to the ocular surface. Capsanthin can also be beneficial in addressing elevated intraocular pressure.”
Latest research backing ingredients
The experts share new studies backing astaxanthin and capsanthin for vision support and dry eye.
“Backed by extensive clinical research, AstaReal Astaxanthin — a potent antioxidant from green microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis — plays a vital role in ocular health,” says Shakersain. “Studies show its ability to enhance accommodative function and reduce visual strain, particularly from prolonged screen use. By protecting the ciliary muscles from oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and improving capillary blood flow, astaxanthin supports better focus, eye comfort and hydration, and overall visual well-being.”
“The efficacy and safety of AstaReal Astaxanthin in supporting vision and eye health have been clinically tested in both adults and children. In a recent study of 64 school-age children (10–14) with high daily screen time, supplementation with 4 mg/day of AstaReal Astaxanthin for three months significantly reduced self-reported eye fatigue and discomfort. Objective assessments also revealed improved tear production, highlighting astaxanthin’s potential to support pediatric visual health.”
Sevanti Mehta, president of Unibar Corporation says the company’s research focuses on dry eye, which affects 344 million people worldwide, including 16–20 million in the US.
“This prevalent global issue is further exacerbated by the rise of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Extensive use of digital devices can lead to CVS and symptoms such as dry eye, eye fatigue, eye discomfort, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and pain in the neck, shoulders, and back.”
Unibar’s patented carotenoids are powered by oil suspension technology, which improves stability and bioavailability.“Our most recent published study showed that CapsiClear (a branded form of capsanthin) can increase tear break-up time (TBUT), a key indicator of dry eye (the lower the TBUT value, the more likely you have dry eye), decrease corneal inflammation, and increase tear volume. The study also showed that capsanthin can reduce intraocular pressure and increase antioxidant levels.”
Ingredient stability and bioavailability in formulations
Formulating effective vision health supplements goes beyond selecting the right ingredients. It also involves ensuring their stability, bioavailability, and compatibility within a finished product.
Mehta says: “If not properly stabilized, carotenoids are highly susceptible to degradation from exposure to heat, oxygen, and light during handling, storage, and production. This oxidation process can compromise their quality, shelf life, and effectiveness, presenting a significant formulation challenge.”
“There are two primary solutions to enhance the stability of these critical vision-supporting antioxidants. One approach is encapsulation technology, which is effective but often increases finished product costs. A newer, more efficient alternative is oil suspension, which reduces costs and enhances bioavailability — allowing fat-soluble carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and capsanthin to be more easily absorbed by the body.”
According to Mehta, Unibar’s patented carotenoids are powered by such oil suspension technology, which improves stability and bioavailability.
Shakersain notes several factors influencing the stability and bioavailability of active ingredients in formulations: “Chemical properties of the active ingredients play a key role; for instance, the molecules’ size and structure, whether they are water- or fat-soluble, and their level of hydrophilicity or lipophilicity.”
“These should be considered when selecting the right dosage formats, carrier systems, excipients, and additives. Environmental conditions and production processes can also affect the stability of bioactives, including temperature, PH, light, oxygen, and moisture exposure, as well as possible interactions between active ingredients in one formulation.”
To ensure product stability, shelf life, and clinical efficacy, ingredients with antagonistic effects should be avoided in the same formulation or alternative solutions like encapsulation or duocap technology should be used, suggests Shakersain. Stability tests on each formulation are essential to guarantee quality and shelf life under proper storage conditions.
