Best Supplements for Fresh, Clear Eyes: Our Recommendations

Screen work, long hours of reading and a lot of time in the digital world challenge our eyes every day. Anyone who sits a lot at the monitor often simply wishes for fresh, clear eyes and a relaxed gaze in the evening. Alongside conscious breaks and good light, many people also pay attention to their nutrient supply – because the eyes benefit from certain micronutrients. In this guide we explain what matters for the goal of fresh, clear eyes, and introduce you to fitting products. It is about supporting normal bodily functions in a healthy everyday life, not about treating complaints. Our eyes accomplish something amazing every day: they focus countless times, adapt to changing light and process impressions non-stop. All the more sensible it is to do something good for them with good habits and a solid nutrient base.

What matters for the goal of fresh, clear eyes

For vision there are clearly defined, EU-authorised statements. They relate to the maintenance of normal vision and to normal bodily functions around the eyes.

• Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
• DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) contributes to the maintenance of normal vision (the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA).

These statements describe normal bodily functions given an adequate supply and are not a promise against specific complaints such as dryness or irritation. Rather, they show which nutrients are involved in a normally functioning vision – a sensible basis for everyone who heavily strains their eyes in everyday life.

In addition, carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin as well as astaxanthin are well-known substances from nature that play a role in many formulations geared towards the eyes. Lutein and zeaxanthin also occur naturally in the retina, more precisely in the area of the so-called macula lutea, and are contained, among other things, in green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach. Astaxanthin, in turn, is the red carotenoid that gives salmon and crustaceans, for example, their colour. Such natural substances are no substitute for eye-friendly habits, but for many they complement them in a sensible way.

Our product recommendations

The following selection ranges from the classic eye complex to targeted single substances and thus covers different preferences.

Eye vitamins with lutein, zeaxanthin & vitamin A

This complex is the most obvious choice for the goal of fresh, clear eyes: it combines the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin with proanthocyanidins as well as vitamin A and vitamin B2. Vitamin A and vitamin B2 contribute to the maintenance of normal vision. With 120 capsules and German manufacture, the complex is designed for long, consistent use and is ideal for everyone who is looking for a comprehensive eye building block. The contained proanthocyanidins are secondary plant substances that occur, for example, in grape seeds and blueberries and are traditionally associated with the topic of eyes. Together with the carotenoids and the two vitamins, a well-thought-out, coordinated formulation is created specifically for people who heavily challenge their eyes in everyday life.

View the eye vitamins

Astaxanthin 12 mg from Haematococcus pluvialis

Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid obtained from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, giving the alga its strong red colour. This product delivers 12 mg of astaxanthin per portion, is 100% vegan and comes from France. For everyone who wants to focus specifically on this well-known natural substance, it is a purist, highly concentrated choice. Astaxanthin belongs to the group of carotenoids and is among the particularly colour-intensive representatives in nature. That it is obtained here from the microalga and not from animal sources makes the product suitable also for people living vegan – an aspect that is not a matter of course with many astaxanthin preparations.

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Nursing complex with omega-3 & DHA

This complex unites fenugreek and fennel with omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and folic acid. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision when 250 mg is taken daily. Originally developed for the breastfeeding period, the complex is also interesting for everyone who keeps an eye on their DHA supply and appreciates a comprehensively composed omega-3 building block. DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that occurs naturally above all in oily sea fish and is therefore often a topic in a plant-focused diet. For the authorised statement on vision, a daily intake of 250 mg DHA is decisive – a value that you can easily follow when looking at the consumption recommendation.

View the nursing complex

How to find the right product for you

Which product suits you best depends on how comprehensively you want to supplement. Anyone looking for a broadly positioned eye complex is most obviously advised with the eye vitamins: they bundle the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin with vitamin A and vitamin B2, which contribute to the maintenance of normal vision, in one formulation. Anyone who instead wants to focus specifically on a single, highly concentrated natural substance will find a purist, vegan choice in astaxanthin with 12 mg per portion. And for everyone who keeps an eye on their omega-3 and especially their DHA supply, the nursing complex is interesting, since DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision at a daily 250 mg. Here too, products can be combined – for example a comprehensive eye complex as a base plus a targeted single substance. Always pay attention to the information and the recommended daily dose of the respective products so that you stay within sensible amounts.

Basics first

Fresh eyes arise above all through eye-friendly habits. A proven rule for screen work is the 20-20-20 method: every 20 minutes, consciously look into the distance for around 20 seconds at about 20 feet (approximately 6 metres) so that the eye muscles relax. Pay attention to good, glare-free light, a sufficient distance from the screen and to blinking regularly – especially concentrated screen work often makes us blink less often, which makes the eyes appear drier. Drinking enough keeps the mucous membranes moist, fresh air and daylight do the eyes good. Especially with long, concentrated close work, the gaze often forgets the distance – therefore it helps to consciously look out of the window into the distance again and again so that the eye muscles can relax in between. On the plate, colourful vegetables, green leafy vegetables, eggs and oily sea fish provide valuable building blocks such as carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. A moistening air humidifier in dry, heated rooms and regular airing additionally do the eyes good. Anyone who wears glasses or contact lenses should pay attention to a current, suitable prescription, because an incorrect correction strains the eyes unnecessarily. Sufficient sleep is also decisive so that the eyes recover overnight. Only on this foundation are supplementary micronutrients a sensible building block – as a conscious complement to an eye-friendly routine, not as a substitute for breaks and good light. Give your routine a few weeks and observe what helps you most in everyday life. Often it is the small, consistently implemented habits that make the greatest difference for fresh, relaxed eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which nutrients are relevant for vision?

For the maintenance of normal vision, vitamin A, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and zinc with authorised EU claims are to be mentioned. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision at a daily intake of 250 mg.

What are lutein and zeaxanthin?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are natural carotenoids that also occur in the retina of the eye. They are contained in many complexes geared towards the eyes, for example in our eye vitamins.

Where does astaxanthin come from?

Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. It gives the alga its red colour and is offered as a highly concentrated, vegan natural substance.

Do supplements help against screen fatigue?

Nutrients can support normal bodily functions around vision, but do not replace breaks and good light. Against the feeling of tired eyes, behaviours such as the 20-20-20 rule act most immediately. Conscious blinking, a greater distance from the screen and regular screen breaks also help noticeably. Most effective is the combination of good habits and a solid nutrient base, which complement each other.

How long should I use eye products?

Food supplements usually unfold their sense over a longer, regular period. Pack sizes such as 120 capsules are designed for consistent use over several weeks.

Note: Food supplements are no substitute for a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. In the case of persistent eye complaints, existing illnesses, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or when taking medication, speak with your doctor before use.