Eye Health & Vision Support*

Delivers (per 1 Softgel):

  • 18 mg Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid)
  • 3 mg Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol)
  • 2.2 mg Zinc (as Zinc Bisglycinate)
  • 11 mcg Selenium (as L-Selenomethionine)
  • 2 mg Astaxanthin (from AstaPure®)
  • 5 mg Lutein (from Lutemax® 2020)
  • 1 mg Zeaxanthin (isomers RR, RS [meso]-zeaxanthin from Lutemax®2020)
  • 8 mg Saffron Extract Crocus sativus (flower and stigma)

AstaPure® is a registered trademark of Algatechnologies Ltd.
Lutemax® 2020 is a registered trademark of Omniactive Health Technologies Ltd.

Optimize Early-Life Health with ChildLife® Clinicals Eye-C.

Key Benefits*

  • SUPERIOR formula, includes key carotenoids and antioxidants
  • SUPPORTS healthy visual function
  • PROVIDES ingredients that filter blue light
  • REDUCES oxidative stress within the visual system

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Purpose:  To provide clinicians with technical information to determine if the supplement in question is appropriate for their patient.   

Eye-C

ChildLife® Clinicals Eye-C is a chewable softgel dietary supplement, which provides a combination of vitamins and carotenoids for total eye health.

Blue Light Exposure

While it is known that UV rays from the sun can cause cellular damage, evidence is emerging on potential harm to retinal cells from prolonged exposure to blue light emitted by the sun, and electronic devices.1

While sunlight exposure is limited to the hours of light during a day, continued blue light exposure occurs beyond daylight hours throughout the night with screens from televisions, computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. High-energy blue light may damage retinal cells through photochemical reactions that occur when photons reach the retina. These reactions may cause oxidative stress, and potentially create reactive oxygen species.2,3 Long term exposure to blue light has shown damaging effects on retinal cells in animal models.4

Chronic blue light exposure is a developing twenty-first century topic which could have a lasting effect on children.

Antioxidants for Eye Health

Several vitamins and antioxidants included in this formula offer benefits to vision health. Vitamin C supports healthy retinal capillaries and acts as an antioxidant regenerator, while Vitamin E protects against damage from free radicals.5 Minerals included are Zinc and Selenium which are required in metabolic reactions of the eye and protect against oxidative stress in ocular surface cells, respectively.5,6

The lipid-soluble antioxidant, Astaxanthin is produced naturally from the algae Haematococcus pluvialis, as a protective measure against UV rays from the sun. Astaxanthin has a transmembrane structure, which spans both the lipid-soluble and water-soluble potions of a cell membrane, maximizing antioxidant potential.7 Studies in animal models show protective effects of astaxanthin on retinal tissue when exposed to damaging levels of white light. Astaxanthin has shown potential to inhibit oxidative stress on photoreceptors in the eye.8 A 2013 human clinical trial has shown Astaxanthin supplementation improved antioxidant scavenging activity within the eye.9

Extracted from the stigmas of Crocus sativus, Saffron, bright orange in hue, contains the compounds crocin, crocetin and safranal which are potent antioxidants. Saffron acts as an eye protectant, by providing these compounds which protect retinal cells and reduce oxidative damage. A longitudinal study on early AMD patients showed improved macular functions after supplementing with Saffron for 3 months.10

The macular pigment epithelium in the eye acts as a layer of protection against blue light radiation. This layer contains the macular carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin which absorb high-intensity blue light, and protect retinal cells. Out of the carotenoids that can be obtained from diet, Lutein and Zeaxanthin appear in great concentration within the eyes, and filter up to 40% of visible blue light.11 As an ophthalmological measure of ocular health, Macular Pigment Optical Density represents the potential to absorb light radiation.12 Studies have demonstrated that supplementing with the macular carotenoids can improve macular pigment optical density.13 Lutemax®2020 provides Lutein, and both isomers of Zeaxanthin from Non-GMO Marigolds. 

References: 

  1. Youn HY, Chou RB, Cullen AP, Sivak, JG. Effects of 400 nm, 420 nm, and 435.8 nm radiations on cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B.2009; 95(1)64-70. 
  2. Wu J, Seregard S, Algvere PV.Photochemical Damage of the Retina. Survey of Ophthalmology.2006; 51(5)461-481.
  3. Youssef PN, Sheibani N, Albert DM. Retinal light toxicity. Eye (Lond). 2011;25(1):1–14. doi:10.1038/eye.2010.149.
  4. Noell WK, Walker VS, Kang BS, Berman S. Retinal damage by light in rats. Invest Ophthalmol.1966; 5(5):450-73.
  5. Rasmussen HM, Johnson EJ. Nutrients for the aging eye. Clin Interv Aging. 2013;8:741–748. doi:10.2147/CIA.S45399.
  6. Higuchi A, Inoue H, Kawakita T, Ogishima T, Tsubota K. Selenium compound protects corneal epithelium against oxidative stress. PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e45612. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045612
  7. Yousry M. A. Naguib.Antioxidant Activities of Astaxanthin and Related Carotenoids.J. Agric. Food Chem. 2000, 48, 4, 1150-1154.
  8. Otsuka T, Shimazawa M, Nakanishi T, Ohno Y, Inoue Y, Tsuruma K, Ishibashi T, Hara H. Protective effects of a dietary carotenoid, astaxanthin, against light-induced retinal damage. J Pharmacol Sci. 2013; 123(3):209-18.
  9. Hashimoto H, Arai K, Hayashi S, et al. Effects of astaxanthin on antioxidation in human aqueous humor. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2013;53(1):1–7. doi:10.3164/jcbn.13-6.