RELATED CONTENT

The following are some examples of the high-quality eye nutraceuticals that are available for ECPs to provide for their patients.

MedOp Health Inc. offers MaxiVision, a complete line of AREDS2 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study)-based eye and whole body nutritional supplements (see “ The Link Between Nutrients and Vision,”), according to information provided by Brenda Gaulin, director of marketing, MedOp Health. The line includes the MaxiVision Ocular Formula, which has two times the lutein and zeaxanthin found to be effective in AREDS2.

It also features a proprietary blend of other key nutrients, including bilberry extract and taurine, which has shown promise in studies to support eye health. The MaxiVision Eye Formula is an AREDS2 base level formula with 25 mg. of zinc. And the MaxiVision Macula Formula is the AREDS base formula with 80 mg. of zinc. The company also offers a MaxiVision Whole Body and Eye & Body Formula, which combine the Eye Formula with a multivitamin.

MedOp is also branching out into the nutritional beverage market, according to Gaulin. Currently, the company provides MaxiVision Whole Body Formula, a single daily dose drink mix, but it has plans to release an Ocular Formula version in January 2015. Beverage delivery approaches like these have shown to be ideal for those patients who have trouble with or dislike swallowing pills.

Macular Health’s recently introduced MacuStrip dissolves on the tongue for easier swallowing and a higher rate of absorption.
Macular Health offers an AREDS2 formulation, a Premier formula, an Antioxidant Only formulation, and two different Zinc Only formulations, according to information provided by John Wiley, vice president of sales, Macular Health. The Antioxidant Only and Zinc Only versions are genotype-directed nutraceuticals for macular degeneration and have been engineered for doctors who utilize genetic testing.

The AREDS2 and Premier formulas include vitamins C and E along with zinc, copper, lutein and zeaxanthin to help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Macular Health’s dry eye formula contains three distinct types of oils and a diabetic eye health product that promotes retinal health and helps reduce the risk of retinal damage.

The company recently introduced its MacuStrip Premier product, offering a different delivery method, according to Wiley. Macular Health took its Premier formula and placed these ingredients on an easily dissolving and a palette-pleasing strip. An Oral Thin Film (OTF) is ideal for those patients who have difficulties swallowing pills. OTF also has a high nutrition absorption rating since it bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and transports the essential ingredients by way of the blood stream.

ScienceBased Health’s HydroEye formulation has been shown to improve dry eye symptoms, lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers and maintain corneal smoothness.
ScienceBased Health has a range of nutritional supplements to address various eye health concerns, including: glaucoma (Optic Nerve Formula) and diabetic retinopathy (Diavis), as well as multinutrients (OcularProtect and OcularEssentials) and an omega-3 supplement (OmegaAdvance) to help preserve visual and whole body health, according to information provided by Pamela Damsen, marketing consultant, ScienceBased Health. The company’s HydroEye formulation has been shown to improve dry eye symptoms, lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers, and maintain corneal smoothness with its proprietary blend of omega fatty acids (GLA, EPA, and DHA), antioxidants, and other nutrients that support a healthy tear film and soothe the ocular surface.

The company’s MacularProtect Complete contains the ingredients studied in AREDS and includes a complete and balanced multi-nutrient, according to Damsen. This convenient “all-in-one approach” ensures patients receive other nutrients to protect visual and whole body health without “doubling up” on certain nutrients. MacularProtect Complete also contains other nutritional ingredients that research has found to promote visual and whole body health, such as the trio of B vitamins (folate, B6, and B12).

Additionally, ScienceBased Health offers an orange-flavored beverage form of MacularProtect Complete AREDS2, according to Damsen.

Nordic Naturals’ ProOmega (liquid and soft gels) and ProDHA Eye (soft gels) are its top selling essential fatty acid products among ECPs. Practitioners with a dry eye focus tend to use ProOmega, according to Monique Wellise, education and professional sales manager, Nordic Naturals. This concentrated fish oil delivers higher levels of EPA and DHA than most commercially available products to correct deficiency. Four soft gels deliver 2,200 mg. of combined EPA and DHA, and one teaspoon of the liquid version delivers over 2,500 mg. of EPA and DHA combined.

ZeaVision’s EyePromise line of ocular supplements features formulations for those with or at risk of developing specific eye conditions.
ECPs with an AMD focus gravitate toward Pro-DHA Eye, according to Wellise. It is one of the company’s synergistic blends that combine concentrated fish oil with targeted nutrients. ProDHA Eye has higher levels of DHA than EPA and delivers 788 mg. of DHA, 190 mg. of EPA, 20 mg. of FloraGLO lutein and 4 mg. of zeaxanthin in two soft gels.

EyePromise is ZeaVision’s line of ocular supplements. Designed for patients at risk of developing AMD and those that have a low Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) score, EyePromise Restore replicates the natural 2:1 ratio of zeaxanthin to lutein in a healthy fovea, according to Lisa Bertrand, digital marketing manager, ZeaVision. There’s also EyePromise AREDS2 Plus, which combines the ingredients studied in the AREDS2 with a multivitamin.

EyePromise Zeaxanthin + Lutein and EyePromise Zeaxanthin macular formulas are intended to increase MPOD and protect photoreceptors. It does not contain animal byproducts, making it ideal for vegans and patients with fish oil allergies.

With grape seed extract, benfotiamine and coenzyme Q-10, ZeaVision’s EyePromise DVS is a retinal health formula that supports blood vessel health and is suited for patients at risk of developing macular edema or retinal blood vessel degeneration. It’s also intended for those needing to increase their MPOD score.

EyePromise EZ Tears is a dry eye and contact lens comfort formula with nine anti-inflammatory ingredients to sooth dry eye from the inside with the help of omega-3s and vitamin D3 along with a proprietary blend of green tea leaf, evening primrose oil and tocotrientols/tocopherols. It can also be used to relieve dryness due to pre- and post-surgery medications or issues caused by environmental irritants.

Earlier this month, ZeaVision Holdings, Inc. received an equity investment from DSM Venturing, the corporate venture arm of global life sciences and material sciences company, Royal DSM. “ZeaVision has made a significant contribution to expand research and scientific understanding of the role of nutrition in eye health,” said Will Black, vice president of marketing, DSM Nutritional Products.

Nordic Naturals ProDHA Eye is one of the company’s synergistic blends that combine concentrated fish oil with targeted nutrients.
Tozal, a prescription supplement from Focus Laboratories, Inc., is indicated for the distinct nutritional requirements of individuals diagnosed with, or at risk for, AMD, Dry Eye Syndrome and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, according to the company’s website. It has all the high potency antioxidants and zinc important to eye health, plus lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids.

With a name that comes from the mirror image of the traditional symbol for prescription, xR defines itself as a “natural prescription restoring what your body is missing.” The Cleveland-based company provides the means for doctors to easily incorporate therapeutic genetic testing with nutrition and supplement services into their practices. For more, see “ Genetics Role in Nutrition."

A number of other ocular supplements are also available. Bausch + Lomb’s Ocuvite line is sold at the consumer retail level, and the company’s PreserVision offers AREDS or AREDS 2 formulations. Alcon also offers AREDS formulations in its ICaps line, which also includes a multivitamin and a lutein and omega-3 and a lutein and zeaxanthin formulation.

Biosyntrx formulations are designed to address the micronutrient needs of the dry eye, cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy patient. EyeScience offers supplements geared toward macular health, dry eye and computer eye strain.

A division of Fortifeye Nutraceuticals, Fortifeye Vitamins offers a wide range of supplements, including Macular Defense, AREDS 2 and others. Lipotriad vitamins are designed to help slow down the progression of AMD. VisiVite ocular nutrition formulas for ocular nutrition are designed for AREDS, AREDS 2, dry eyes and athletic vision.