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Supporting ocular health with recommendations aging patients can realistically maintain
By Jade Coats, OD, FAAO
August 17, 2026
When I discuss nutritional support with patients, particularly with those 50 years old and above, I am always thinking beyond the ingredients themselves. Many of these patients are already managing multiple medications, chronic health conditions and complex daily routines. For them, the most appropriate recommendation is not necessarily the one with the longest list of potential benefits—it is the one they can realistically incorporate into their lives and maintain over time.
That perspective is personal for me as well. Having experienced cancer through both the patient and caregiver perspective, I have developed an even greater appreciation for how much patients and their families may be carrying beyond what we see in the exam room. Medical appointments, medications and the emotional demands of managing chronic health concerns can make even a seemingly simple addition to a daily routine feel overwhelming.
I see this frequently in practice. As clinicians, it is easy to focus on what a nutritional product can do. Patients, however, are often asking a different question: Can I realistically stick with this?
That question has become an important part of how I approach nutritional recommendations. Evidence matters, but so do simplicity, tolerability and adherence. Ultimately, the goal is to recommend a strategy that fits into the patient’s life—not simply one that looks good on paper.
WHEN AMD AND DRY EYE COEXIST
Many aging patients are managing more than one ocular condition at the same time. Two common ones are age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dry eye.
While these conditions affect different parts of the eye and require tailored management approaches, they also share several underlying features, including oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. As our understanding of ocular nutrition continues to evolve, researchers have increasingly explored how nutritional strategies may support multiple aspects of eye health.
This is one reason I frequently discuss both PreserVision AREDS 2 and Blink NutriTears eye vitamins with patients. The products are intended for different clinical needs. PreserVision AREDS 2 remains the established nutritional approach for patients with intermediate AMD. Blink NutriTears eye vitamins were developed to support ocular surface health in patients with dry eyes. While their intended uses differ, both fit into broader conversations about supporting eye health as patients age.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT
Lutein and zeaxanthin have long been recognized for their role in retinal health. These carotenoids are concentrated in the macula, where they help filter high-energy visible light and provide antioxidant support. The landmark AREDS2 study demonstrated the importance of lutein and zeaxanthin within an evidence-based nutritional strategy for patients with AMD.1
Researchers have also explored the role of nutrition in supporting ocular surface health. Dry eye is now understood as a chronic, multifactorial condition involving tear film instability, inflammation, oxidative stress and ocular surface damage.2 As a result, nutritional approaches are increasingly being evaluated as complementary components of an overall management strategy.
The ingredients found in Blink NutriTears, including lutein, zeaxanthin isomers, curcumin and vitamin D3, were selected to address these interconnected pathways. Clinical studies have demonstrated improvements in tear production, tear film stability, dry eye symptoms and other ocular surface measures in patients using the formulation.3
For practicing clinicians, the key takeaway is not necessarily the contribution of any single ingredient, but rather a growing body of evidence supporting nutritional supplementation as a complementary approach for patients with dry eyes.
WHY SIMPLICITY MATTERS
Evidence is essential when making nutritional recommendations, but evidence alone does not guarantee that a patient will incorporate a recommendation into a long-term care plan. In older adults, treatment decisions often need to account for the broader context of medication burden, comorbidities, lifestyle, and the number of daily health-related tasks already competing for the patient’s attention.
For that reason, I believe simplicity deserves a place in the clinical conversation. When nutritional supplementation is appropriate, a regimen that is easy to understand and incorporate into a patient’s routine may be more sustainable over time. PreserVision AREDS 2, for example, has an established dosing regimen for patients with intermediate AMD, while Blink NutriTears is designed as a once-daily supplement for ocular surface support. These differences may seem small, but they can be meaningful for patients already managing multiple medications and supplements.
When I discuss nutritional supplementation with patients, I try to consider not only whether a recommendation is supported by the evidence, but also whether it fits into the patient’s daily routine. A simple question I often ask is: “Can you see yourself taking this every day?”
For me, that question is an important part of the clinical conversation. The goal is not simply to recommend a nutritional strategy; it is to identify an approach that a patient can understand, incorporate, and maintain as part of their overall eye care.
APPLYING THE EVIDENCE IN PRACTICE
The published clinical data supporting nutritional supplementation for dry eyes is encouraging and continues to grow. Randomized controlled studies have demonstrated meaningful improvements in patient symptoms and objective ocular surface measurements compared with placebo.3
What I have observed in my own practice generally aligns with these findings. Patients who are motivated to incorporate nutritional support into their dry eye regimen often report improvements in comfort and symptom control over time. Importantly, I view supplementation as part of a broader management strategy rather than a replacement for traditional therapies.
Artificial tears, lid hygiene, environmental modifications, and prescription treatments all continue to play important roles depending on the needs of the individual patient. Nutritional supplementation is best viewed as a complementary tool within that larger treatment plan.
THERE’S VALUE IN COMBINING EVIDENCE AND SIMPLICITY
As our population ages, clinicians will increasingly care for patients managing both retinal and ocular surface conditions. These patients often need recommendations that are not only evidence-based but also practical enough to sustain long-term management.
Growing clinical evidence supports nutritional supplementation as a valuable adjunct for ocular surface health, while AREDS-based formulations remain the standard nutritional intervention for patients with intermediate AMD. With the introduction of PreserVision AREDS3 eye vitamins, clinicians now have an additional option that builds upon the AREDS foundation by incorporating B vitamins alongside key antioxidant nutrients. Together, these approaches can help address the distinct but often overlapping needs of aging eyes.
Ultimately, my goal is simple: Recommend strategies that patients can realistically follow. Because when patients stay consistent, they have the greatest opportunity to benefit from the treatment plan we create together.
This article is sponsored by Bausch + Lomb
References
- The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: AREDS2 randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2013;309(19):2005–2015.
- Stapleton F, Argüeso P, Asbell P, et al. TFOS DEWS III Digest Report. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2025;doi:10.1016/j. ajo.2025.05.040
- Gioia N, Gerson J, Ryan R, et al. A novel multi-ingredient supplement significantly improves ocular symptom severity and tear production in patients with dry eye disease: results from a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Front Ophthalmol. 2024;4:1362113.
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Jade Coats, OD, FAAO, is a nationally recognized optometrist in private practice with Exclusive Eye Care in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She specializes in ocular surface disease, dry eye management, contact lenses, aesthetics and perioperative care for premium cataract and refractive surgery. |
