Vision Supplements: Facts You Need to Know

Chances are, you've heard about recent research suggesting that certain nutrients can help delay or prevent eye problems and disease. You've probably also heard a lot of claims for over-the-counter (OTC) vision supplements containing these nutrients -- and claims for others that have not been tested in clinical studies.

So what should you believe? What can you do to protect your eye health and eyesight using vision supplements? Here are information and tips to help you decide.

Important: Your doctor is your first resource for information about your health. Regardless of dosage, supplements are not a cure for health problems or a substitute for medication your doctor has recommended. Always check with your doctor before beginning to take any dietary supplement, including vision supplements.

Vision Supplements in Multivitamins

Before you ask your doctor about taking mega-doses of vision supplements, take a look at the multivitamin you're taking now. You'll probably find you're already taking several of the following vision-supporting nutrients. If not, look for these nutrients, in these amounts, when you buy a vision supplement multivitamin:

• Vitamin C, 250 mg
• Vitamin E, 200 mg
• Beta-carotene, 5,000 IU
• Zinc, 25 mg
• Zeaxanthin, 500 mcg
• Selenium, 100 mcg
• Lutein, 10 mg
• Calcium, 500 mg
• Thiamin, 2 mg
• Folic acid, 800 mcg
• Omega-3 essential fatty acids (including flaxseed oil), 2,000-3,000 mg
• N-acetyl cysteine, 100 mg
• Alpha lipoic acid, 100 mg

If you can't find a single product that contains all or most of these nutrients, they are available individually.

Read the Labels!

As with any prepared food you buy, read the labels on vision supplements to be sure you're getting what you want. Here are some tips:

• Be sure the product you buy is fresh: Check expiration dates.
• The bottle should be sealed for your protection. If it isn't, or the seal is broken, don't buy it.
• If you're prone to stomach upset, capsules may be a better choice than tablets, which are harder for your system to absorb.
• Consider organic vision supplements. You may pay more, but the quality is often better.
• Avoid supplements containing fillers, ingredients used to bulk up products so they "look like more." These include wheat, corn, and dairy products, which could cause digestive or allergic problems.
• If fish oil is listed as a source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, the label should state that it has been produced in a manner that eliminates contaminants, particularly mercury.
• Keep in mind that the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements. If you're concerned whether you're getting what the label of a product says, ask. A nutrition-store clerk may be able to help you. Or you can contact the manufacturer directly and ask for proof of quality. For vision supplements, ask for proof that their product has undergone Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) testing -- a widely accepted test of antioxidant effectiveness.