Combination Supplement May Help Improve Eye Health

Spending an extended amount of time looking at a computer monitor, or a smartphone can lead to a decrease in the number of times a person blinks, dryness of the eye, eye fatigue, and blurry vision. According to a new study, supplementation with a combination of bilberry extract, astaxanthin, and lutein may help improve eye health and vision in people who spend large amounts of time in front of a monitor.

Forty-four healthy adults participated in the study. All were experiencing eye fatigue while using a computer monitor. They were given a supplement containing 200 mg of bilberry, 6 mg of astaxanthin, and 10 mg of lutein or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. The researchers evaluated eye focusing, tear film break-up time, visual acuity, and pupil response to light at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Participants in the supplement group significant reductions in trouble focusing the eyes compared to the placebo group. They also saw significant improvements in visual acuity (the ability to see fine print and details) and pupil response to light compared to the placebo group.

The study was conducted by researchers from Ario Nishiarai Eye Clinic. It was published online ahead of print on February 5, 2021 in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition.