For healthy eyes and the maintenance of normal vision, vitamin A is central above all, as it contributes to the maintenance of normal vision, as do riboflavin and zinc. In addition, many people rely on the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin as well as on astaxanthin and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
Whether at the screen, while driving or when reading: our eyes achieve astonishing things every day and tirelessly process countless impressions. No wonder that more and more people want to consciously support their vision and wonder which nutrients and plant substances suit the goal of healthy eyes. Especially in times of long screen work, the topic moves more strongly into focus. In this guide we classify the most important building blocks and present you with a curated selection of Scheunengut products. This is about the maintenance of normal vision in a healthy everyday life – not about treating eye diseases.
Instead of an endless enumeration, we focus on the building blocks with a clear connection to normal vision and on the carotenoids that many eye-conscious people value. This way you can decide for yourself whether a bundled eye complex is enough for you or whether you additionally want to add a focused single building block. What matters here is the realisation that good visual habits and a vegetable-rich diet form the actual basis on which targeted food supplementation builds.
What matters for the goal of healthy eyes
The central nutrient around the eyes is unambiguous: vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. It is the classic „eye nutrient“ and thus an obvious basic building block if your vision is important to you. What is practical is that several nutrients have the same connection: riboflavin (vitamin B2) also contributes to the maintenance of normal vision, and zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision as well. This combination of vitamin A, riboflavin and zinc forms a solid foundation if you want to support your eyes on the nutrition side.
What is practical about the topic of eyes is that several nutrients with the same connection complement each other. Vitamin A, riboflavin and zinc each contribute to the maintenance of normal vision – a well-positioned eye complex therefore often bundles them in one product. The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin occur naturally in the macula and are taken in via green vegetables; as a supplement they are particularly popular, because many people eat little of them in everyday life.
Astaxanthin and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA round off the picture: DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision, while astaxanthin is valued as a plant-based antioxidant building block. If you know these building blocks, you can decide in a targeted way whether a comprehensive complex is enough for you or whether you want to consciously add individual substances such as astaxanthin. This way you build yourself an eye routine step by step that suits your everyday life, instead of randomly buying several similar products in parallel. Always keep in mind that the mere intake via capsules is only one side: a colourful, vegetable-rich diet provides carotenoids in their natural interplay and remains the most important source. Food supplementation is the targeted addition for everyone who wants to consciously complement this basis – for example in phases with a lot of screen work, in which the eyes are especially demanded. In this way an interplay arises in which good habits, a colourful diet and a well-thought-out product complement one another. Precisely this interplay is the actual core of an eye-conscious everyday life and makes more of it than any single capsule on its own. With this attitude you make a conscious, relaxed choice that suits you.
Beyond the vitamins and minerals, certain carotenoids play a major role: lutein and zeaxanthin are natural plant pigments that occur in the macula – the point of sharpest vision on the retina – and are taken in via green vegetables. Many eye complexes therefore combine them in a targeted way. Astaxanthin, a red carotenoid from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, is valued as a plant-based antioxidant building block and obtained purely vegan. The omega-3 fatty acid DHA is also interesting: DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision – the statement applies with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA. This gives you several starting points at once to put together your eye routine.
When buying, a simple guiding thread helps: begin with the nutrient that has the clearest connection – vitamin A for the maintenance of normal vision, ideally in a complex together with lutein and zeaxanthin. From this basis you can consider whether an additional building block such as astaxanthin or a good DHA supply suits your preferences. Pay attention to transparent quantity information and a traceable origin of the raw materials, instead of being guided by mere buzzwords. This way you put together a routine that really suits your everyday life.
Our product recommendations
Eye vitamins with lutein, zeaxanthin, proanthocyanidins & vitamin A
This complex is our most obvious recommendation around the topic of eyes: it combines the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin with vitamin A. Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision – which means this product unites both the central eye nutrient and the popular macula carotenoids in a single complex. For everyone who is looking for a bundled, well-thought-out basis instead of laboriously assembling individual substances, this is the ideal starting point.
Astaxanthin 12 mg – from Haematococcus pluvialis, 100% vegan
Astaxanthin is a natural red carotenoid from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis and is valued as a plant-based antioxidant building block. This product delivers it from French algae production, purely vegan and in a clear dosage of 12 mg per portion – a transparent choice for everyone who wants to complement their routine specifically with this popular carotenoid. As a focused single building block it fits well alongside a broad eye complex.
Nursing complex with fenugreek, fennel, omega 3, DHA, folic acid
This complex provides, among other things, the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision – the statement applies with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA. As an omega-3-conscious building block, the product fits well into a routine in which you consider your vision and your general fatty acid supply together. Pay attention to the declared DHA content per daily dose and place the product accordingly in your selection.
Foundations first
As practical as targeted eye vitamins are – the most important basis for healthy eyes lies in everyday life. Anyone who works a lot at the screen best treats their eyes to regular breaks, consciously looks into the distance in between and ensures good, glare-free light at the workplace. A simple rule of thumb is to repeatedly focus on distant objects for a few seconds in order to relax the eyes. Protection from bright sun with a good pair of sunglasses is just as sensible, especially in the bright months. On the nutrition side, colour-intense and green vegetables such as kale, spinach or peppers provide plenty of carotenoids, while a balanced diet secures the supply of vitamins and minerals overall.
The small habits also add up: drinking enough so that the eyes do not become too dry, ensuring fresh air and a good indoor climate and repeatedly treating the gaze to conscious recovery breaks. Anyone who reads a lot or works at the screen can build fixed breaks into the day. In this interplay of good habits, a balanced diet and targeted supplementation lies the most sensible way to consciously support your eyes in the long term.
Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. They complement an eye-conscious routine best regularly and in keeping with the recommended intake. If you notice changes in your vision, already have existing eye diseases, are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, please discuss the intake with your doctor beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which nutrient is particularly relevant for the eyes?
Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. It is thus the central nutrient connection around healthy eyes. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) and zinc also contribute to the maintenance of normal vision.
What are lutein and zeaxanthin?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are natural carotenoids that occur in the macula of the eye and are supplied via the diet – for example from green vegetables. They are happily complemented via eye vitamin complexes.
What is astaxanthin used for?
Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, which gives it its strong red colour. It is valued as a plant-based antioxidant building block and obtained purely vegan.
Is screen work a reason to pay attention to the eyes?
Many people today spend a long time at the screen and therefore value eye-friendly habits – for example regular breaks. Nutrients such as vitamin A for normal vision can complement a balanced diet.
Are supplements enough for healthy eyes?
No. Regular eye breaks, good light, protection from bright sun and a balanced, vegetable-rich diet are the basis. Food supplementation can complement this basis, but not replace it.
Health notice: This guide is for general information purposes only and does not replace individual medical or pharmaceutical advice. Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you have health concerns, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. How our guides are created →
Sources
- EU Register of authorised health claims — Vitamin A trägt zur Erhaltung normaler Sehkraft bei., 2024
- German Nutrition Society (DGE) — Referenzwerte für Vitamin A und Hinweise zu carotinoidreicher Ernährung., 2024
- Federal Centre for Nutrition (BZfE) — Grünes und farbintensives Gemüse liefert Carotinoide wie Lutein und Zeaxanthin., 2024
