Get ready for a slew of vitamins and supplements that are intended to promote eye health. Here's a sampling:
Bausch & Lomb is premiering Ocuvite DF, a product intended to provide nutritional support for people with diabetes. The supplement contains genistein, a compound
found in soy, as well as alpha lipoic acid, vitamins C and E, and B vitamins.
According to John Stewart, Bausch & Lomb's senior product manager for nutritionals, preclinical studies have shown that high
levels of genistein slow the progression of blood vessel growth in the retina. "Diabetic retinopathy is a vascular disease
of the retina. It is the leading cause of vision loss in the working age population in the United States. About 10% of people
who have Type 2 diabetes get diabetic retinopathy," he said.
This year, Ocuvite DF will be available in CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Longs, and Wal-Mart stores. Early next year, Ocuvite DF will be available
to distributors serving independent pharmacies.
Emphasizing that people with high glucose levels are subject to higher levels of oxidative stress, Stewart said, "When you
have oxidative stress, you have free radical production and tissue damage. You need to take potent antioxidants. If diabetes
patients can reduce or eliminate oxidative stress, they are less likely to get complications from diabetes like eye, liver,
and kidney problems."
Bausch & Lomb is providing pharmacists with a one-page, front and back education piece, which explains the role of oxidative
stress as well as Ocuvite DF's ingredients.
DSM Nutritional Products is also elbowing into eye health territory with Optisharp with zeaxanthin. The company claims zeaxanthin plays a role in reducing the risk of certain eye diseases such as age-related
macular degeneration and cataracts.
Bayer HealthCare is hoping to hit a home run with Bayer Nutritional Science Eye Health & Vitality, a product intended to help maintain eye health by supporting healthy cells and tissue. It contains vitamins A, C, and E
and calcium, selenium, copper, a lutein/ zeaxanthin blend, bilberry powder (leaf), blueberry juice powder (fruit), carrot
juice powder (root), and tomato juice powder (fruit).
Windmill is getting into the act with Prevention Vision Support tablets that contain lutein and zeaxanthin.
Alcon's chance for trumping the competition is ICaps Eye Vitamin & Mineral Supplement. It is available in three formulations. The first formula is ICaps MV, a vitamin and mineral supplement that provides high doses of lutein and zeaxanthin. Alcon claims that ICaps MV does not
contain vitamin A and that it is suitable for consumers who must avoid beta-carotene.
ICaps Lutein & Zeaxanthin is the second formula available. It contains antioxidants including vitamins A, C, and E plus selenium, zinc, lutein, and
zeaxanthin. The product is formulated for people at risk of age-related eye conditions. The company claims it may also be
appropriate for people with frequent exposure to sunlight.
ICaps AREDS is the third formula. Ingredients include vitamins A, C, and E and zinc and copper.
