July 17, 2025Vision

How to Protect and Support Your Vision with Nutrients

Like many of our Optimum Health Vitamins formulations, Opti-I See was developed after years of hands-on experience—watching what truly works to support eye health. The 13 synergistic ingredients in Opti-I See were carefully chosen to address common visual challenges and the underlying physical functions that contribute to them.

Opti-I See – Helps Preserve and Support Visual Function

One of the most common causes of vision loss is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which involves progressive dysfunction and death of the cells in the macula. The macula is a pigmented, oval-shaped area near the center of the retina at the back of the eye. It specifically concentrates the orange-yellow carotenoid pigments known as lutein and zeaxanthin. (1,2)

These pigments act as critical antioxidants, protecting the retina’s nerve receptors (photoreceptors) from oxidative stress generated by their energy-intensive roles. (1–3) In this way, lutein and zeaxanthin provide strong protection against the macular degeneration that so often accompanies aging. (1,4)

Photoreceptor cells receive light and pass it on to be organized and interpreted by the brain via the optic nerve. In this sense, the eye and its nerves are extensions of the brain—and lutein and zeaxanthin have also been shown to support brain health. (5–8)

FloraGLO™ Lutein: Trusted, Researched, and Effective

Opti-I See uses FloraGLO™ Lutein as its source of lutein and zeaxanthin. Sourced from marigold flowers, FloraGLO™ is considered an industry benchmark for quality and has been studied in over 70 human clinical trials—including the renowned AREDS2 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study). (9)

Bilberry for Night Vision, Inflammation & More

In addition to lutein and zeaxanthin, Opti-I See includes standardized bilberry extract, rich in eye-supportive anthocyanins. While cone cells in the macula handle daytime and colour vision, rod cells located farther from the center handle black-and-white vision and low-light perception, i.e. night vision.

Bilberry has long been considered beneficial for night vision—famously used by British pilots in WWII—and is noted for its protective effects against macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. More recent research also supports bilberry’s role in reducing retinal inflammation. (10)

Bilberry’s benefits stem largely from its anthocyanin content, which has been shown to offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, enhance circulation (especially microcirculation in the capillaries of the eyes and brain), and help protect against diabetes-related vision complications. (10)

OptiBurst®: Comprehensive Anthocyanin Support

To expand on these benefits, Opti-I See also contains OptiBurst®, a blend of concentrated berry extracts rich in anthocyanins from wild blueberries, bilberries, cranberry, elderberry, raspberry seeds, and strawberries.

A referenced review summarizes anthocyanin benefits as:

"Antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiproliferative, anti-mutagenic, antimicrobial, anti-carcinogenic, cardiovascular and allergy protection, improved microcirculation, reduced capillary fragility, diabetes prevention, and vision improvement." (11)

Improving Circulation to Protect Vision

As stated, one of the benefits of anthocyanins is reduced capillary fragility, and improving strength and flexibility is especially pronounced with related molecules called OPC's

OPCs from Grape Seed Extract for Blood Vessel Health

The OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) in grape seed extract further enhance the circulation benefits—strengthening blood vessels and supporting against retinopathies. (12)

Targeting Inflammation from Multiple Angles

Reduced ocular blood flow has been linked to conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. (18) Evidence suggests that inflammation can also be the cause—interfering with the lining of blood vessels and restricting proper flow. (19)

Inflammation contributes to a range of visual problems—whether from immune activity, allergies, oxidative stress, or poor circulation—all of which can result in low oxygen levels and energy deficits. (13,14)

The Opti-I See formula includes multiple ingredients chosen to synergistically support healthy circulation and reduce inflammation in complementary ways. In addition to Grape Seed Extract, this includes turmeric, rosemary, quercetin, eyebright to help reduce inflammation and allergic responses that may impact visual clarity. (15-17) .

If allergies seem to be affecting your vision, you may want to check out our previous article: Natural Relief from Seasonal Allergies.

Glutathione Support for Detox & Eye Defense

With alpha-lipoic acid and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), Opti-I See also supports glutathione production—critical for healthy eye function. (20)

Glutathione and its associated enzymes offer profound antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and energy-producing (mitochondrial) benefits while also helping the eyes detoxify. (21)

When detoxification is impaired, metabolic waste (i.e. "garbage") called drusen can accumulate in the eye. Drusen build-up, driven by oxidation, inflammation, and poor circulation, further fuels this vicious cycle. (22,23)

Boosting glutathione also plays a role in cataract prevention, and NAC, as a direct glutathione precursor, has shown promise in this area as well. (24,25)

L-Carnosine: A Final Powerhouse

Last but certainly not least, L-Carnosine is included for its potent antioxidant properties and its demonstrated ability to help prevent—and even reverse—cataracts. (26)

[View all 13 ingredients of the Opti-I See formula]

Losing vision is one of the most distressing challenges people face. In decades of working with clients, I’ve seen how even when someone is dealing with more serious or life-threatening conditions, if their vision is at risk, it becomes their top concern—because eyesight is so vital to independence and quality of life.

That’s why Opti-I See was designed to support as many vision-related concerns as we could fit into one capsule (though we recommend two or more capsules daily, taken with oil or fat for best absorption).

Until next time - Be Well!

—John

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