Continuing on that same article

We already know about AMD prevention, so lets look at its optical properties.

...Beyond its “protective” hypothesis, MP's optical and anatomic properties have prompted the “optical” hypotheses of this pigment... include MP's ability to enhance visual function and comfort by attenuation of the effects of chromatic aberration (Figure 12) and light scatter (Figure 13), via its light-filtering properties... MP could improve acuity by reducing the deleterious effects associated with the aberration of short-wave light

Wait a second though

However, in 2007 Engles et al modelled and evaluated the hypothesis and found that MPOD did not correlate significantly with either gap or hyperacuity measured in the yellow or white conditions, and therefore, their data did not support the predictions of the acuity hypothesis

Since a reduction in luminance isn't really harmful for us (frankly, I can't make my monitor any darker, and it still seems too bright), I'll take the reduction in luminance in exchange for a cleaner visual field with less aberrations

It appears that any acuity advantage gained by higher levels of MP is offset by a commensurate reduction in luminance (which correlates positively with acuity). It has also been suggested that MP could enhance the contrast of objects on a background via color filtering... This hypothesis was recently tested and found to be tenable, which has important implications for visual function in the non-diseased eye

Sounds good to me

For example, under natural conditions (e.g. walking outside), objects are often presented on short-wavelength backgrounds, such as a blue sky or green leaves, meaning that the filtering properties of MP is likely to impact positively on real-life vision. MP's pre-receptoral filtration of short-wavelength (blue) light is believed to reduce the adverse impact of glare disability, light scatter and chromatic aberration, thereby optimizing contrast sensitivity... It follows, therefore, that augmentation of MP would result in enhanced contrast sensitivity and improved glare disability

Here are their illustrations of chromatic aberration and light scatter

Next there is a diagram on the visual benefits of xanthophyll supplementation in healthy subjects. It's been studied since 1948 and most of trials found benefits in healthy people. However trial design has come a long way since then.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4698241/table/T1/

Patience, young grasshoper

Of note, however, this modest augmentation in MP using a lutein-based formulation was observed only at the 12-month study visit

Next up, in this trial the group taking all 3 xanthophylls had the most improvement

Tthe second group was given 10 mg lutein, 10 mg meso-zeaxanthin and 2 mg zeaxanthin... every day for six months. A statistically significant increase in MP was observed (determined at three months following commencement of supplementation) only among subjects supplemented with a formulation containing all three macular carotenoids, including meso-zeaxanthin (Group 2). Statistically significant improvements in visual acuity were observed at six months, but only for subjects in Group 2

In conclusion, there is a biologically plausible rationale, supported by MP's light-filtering properties, which suggests that augmentation of MP will enhance visual function and comfort by attenuation of the effects of chromatic aberration and light scatter. Indeed, clinical trials have repeatedly shown that supplementation with the macular carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin results in augmentation of MP, and consequential benefits in visual performance such as improved contrast sensitivity and reduced glare diability.

Next in the article is a bunch of stuff on AMD.

Good questions

The macula lutea contains lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin at a 1:1:1 ratio, yet the typical American consumes these carotenoids from the diet in a ratio of 5:1:0. AREDS2 teaches us that xanthophyll carotenoid supplementation has health benefits, but is the current 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin dose optimal? Would higher levels of supplementation and/or altered ratios of these three carotenoids increase MP more efficiently and promote better vision and lessen risk of AMD progression? Now that meso-zeaxanthin is readily available from commercial sources, is it beneficial to bypass the postulated ocular enzymatic metabolism of lutein to meso-zeaxanthin by supplying it pre-formed in a supplement? Are there any long-term consequences to consuming high concentrations of all three macular carotenoids, given that a typical diet contains circa 1.5 mg per day of lutein and zeaxanthin, and little or no meso-zeaxanthin? In light of our current knowledge that known binding proteins cannot discriminate between zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin, should both be administered in equal amounts, or is one preferred over the other?

There is a strong conflict of interest, and the authors seek to push the idea that meso-zeaxanthin should be included in supplements (and of course their supplement MacuHealth has it). Other have a different opinion on meso-zeaxanthin, and I'm not sure what to think. It would logical that you could supplement lutein and zeaxanthin and not meso-zeaxanthin, since lutein will be transformed in the eye into meso-zeaxanthin anyway.

Dr. Nolan is currently funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the CREST project (code: 281096) and also holds a Howard Chair at Waterford Institute of Technology in Human Nutrition Research. Within his capacity as a director of Nutrasight Consultancy Ltd., Dr Nolan carries out consultancy work for nutraceutical companies, including Bausch + Lomb, Heidelberg Engineering, Alliance Pharma PLC, and MacuHealth.

I also think in addition to lutein, zeaxanthin, and n-3, that anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins (from blueberries, grade seed extract, or pine bark extract) could also be beneficial in the stressed eye. They have significantly less evidence than the other options, but I make sure to get a large serving of blueberries in a smoothie every morning. It can't hurt.

A study that this Dr. Nolan did, where he added meso-zeaxanthin to the standard AREDS2 forumalation (10mg lutein, 2 mg zeaxanthin), found no additional benefit to adding the meso-zeaxanthin on any perameters. The abstract is worded in a way to mask this but if you read it closely you will see.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29053808

I think the 3R 3R version of zeaxanthin is probably the best, and the 3R 3S (meso-zeaxanthin) version (in almost every supplement claiming to have zeaxanthin), is not as good.

Currently I'm investigating a supplement with 3R 3R zeaxanthin.

Confirmed sources of 3R 3R zeaxanthin (non meso) are any supplements specifying their zeaxanthin as ZeaGold or ZeaOne/OptiSharp. Doctor's Best has one. So does Eye Promise.

My current regimen is 40mg lutein which has 2mg of zeaxanthin, 5mg astaxanthin, and billbery (which has another couple mg of lutein in it). Plus saw palmetto because I'm an aging Jew. I'll report back how I do with it, although I feel that just the lutein has been a gamechanger.

6 days later

anyone else have family history of Macular Degeneration? (Day 2 of 10mg Astaxanthin)

So update to my previous post. I take 3 eye pills 2x a day now:

20mg lutein (with 1mg of zeaxanthin)
5mg astaxanthin
Billberry/Blueberry Extract

So that's a total of 40/2/10 of the 3 antioxidants. We'll see how this does after a month or so.

4 days later

I started taking Lutein too, the best which I could find in the pharamcy shop. Let's all see how it goes. 🙂

Around a week 12mg astaxanthin one per day. Huge relief now using MacBook air at 4-5 step of brightness, before no way only 1st. Ewen iP 6 i now more useable less pain in eyes but still not perfect. I'm a bit afraid of taking this for log term but I think will try few more days and we will see.

Gl and thanks for your report

a month later

Reaganry - that looks like a pretty good formula. When what I have (mix and match) is all done, I might grab it considering I pay probably that much for a month of the other stuff individually...

3 months later

Let's have an ASTRAXANTHIN update! mine: after 3 months of 10mg most days, it's hard to tell if it's been helping, but no side effects.

6 months later

I used to take lutein for 3-4 months. Initially my eyes seemed to feel better, but after a few weeks it didn't seem to make a difference, this initial feeling could be coincidence as well. It's hard to judge as strain varies over time, depends on device, amount of sleep, diet, etc. On the other hand, maybe it requires more time and would give good results if taken for more than a year.

I still take Lutein and Astaxanthin. Hard to get Zeaxanthin in reasonable doses for reasonable prices, so I just take what comes with the Lutein.

I feel like the Lutein REALLY helps. If I miss it for a few days, it's pretty noticeable. Not sure the Astaxanthin is really helping that much, but I find myself strained less at night and in changing environments so... perhaps? At the very least it has no unwanted side effects.

    I have not tried Astaxanthin and Zeaxanthin yet , this seems a good article
    https://glarminy.com/lutein-meso-zeaxanthin-eye-supplements/
    will give it a try to Macu Shield Gold (https://www.amazon.com/Macu-Shield-Gold-Food-Supplement/dp/B00GGJY5T6/ref=pd_sim_121_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00GGJY5T6&pd_rd_r=3c3b12d4-f9a3-11e8-bddf-836b3e8a828e&pd_rd_w=88tI2&pd_rd_wg=HgTdz&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=W4KGS3578G0AMH3YBEYE&psc=1&refRID=W4KGS3578G0AMH3YBEYE)

    Sounds like they mainly help for people having issue with blue light. Those people also have hard time sleeping. I do not think that is my problem, as my strain gives me body fatigue and I sleep more than ever, I fall asleep within a minute when I lay down and sleep min 8h, can use computer for less than an hour and can go back to sleep and will still fall a sleep within 5min

    However I tried some other things that did not work like Lutein, Omega3 and GLA (HydroEye ScienceBased).

    Also non of the dry-eye things helped. 3-4 brands of eye drops, gel even night ointment.

    Also have tried anti-inflammatory extracts like Ginger and Boswellia. I workout regularly so have also tried Animal Flex. This thing is for joints support that includes tons of anti-inflammatory ingredients.
    https://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/flex.html?mcid=GGL_US_Products_Products_Universal_Animal_Flex&bbkwid=3291364502&gclid=Cj0KCQiArqPgBRCRARIsAPwlHoXnA44oJRb-BCE2d_vWwv_fBnYNhkNfVeDZs57Qg1mxVUoGitvuyRgaAtX5EALw_wcB

    On the Vitamins and mineral sides have taken Animal Pak.
    https://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/animalpak.html?mcid=GGL_US_Products_Products_Universal_Animal_Pak&bbkwid=36240431&gclid=Cj0KCQiArqPgBRCRARIsAPwlHoW-GSNNIje7qos_SHFAzo5H2vuUUb3ASZEeisE8RwTBqtCU1oJPW1gaAtUPEALw_wcB

    I've been working out for years even before my instant digital strain started and have tried many non-steroidal supplements. My point is I don't think our issue is deficit to vitamins, minerals and/or bad diet.

    5 years later

    Bumping up this as I recently had multiple experiences where things signficantly improve, rapidly after consuming blueberry extract and krill oil capsules. I've taken it mostly in the evening in dim lightning when for whatever reason the TV and iPhone screen hurts more or less immediately when watching. They contain Anthocyanins and Astaxanthin, both of which has enough studies done in relation to eye health. For me at least it absolutely seems to clear up something. I guess there could be other compounds at play there, or even the effect of omega-3 on dry eyes as well.

    Interested in hearing if others tried the same combo. It's fairly easily available from the local health store.

    And for those that tried and didn't see any results. Try to consume the supplements at the time you actually get the worst symptoms. For me that is always the evening. Don't just blindly (no pun intended) expect the body to automagically store and utilize compounds at the time they are needed.

      dev