Vision
Astaxanthin for healthy eyes, ocular hydration and comfort, visual function, antioxidant support and a healthy inflammation response.
Pet Vision Benefits of Astaxanthin
- Provides antioxidant support
- Supports a healthy inflammation response
- Promotes healthy vision
- May support ocular comfort
Understanding Pet Vision
The canine eye is very active, it works hard to provide excellent night vision, depth perception, and a total visual field of 250 degrees. Contracting muscles that frame the lens at the front of the eye help to control lens shape and dynamic focus. The retina at the back of the eye contains photoreceptors that transmit light as electrical impulses through the optic nerve for the brain to translate into images.
This work is powered by mitochondria that produce energy and free radical byproducts that can build up and lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be exacerbated by age, health status and environmental stressors like light, pollution, and dryness. Over time, oxidative stress in older dogs may contribute to lower vision, cloudy lens, and dry eye.
Astaxanthin to the Rescue
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta- carotene are some commonly known eye nutrients. Natural astaxanthin is an emerging eye nutrient with outstanding antioxidant power, anti-inflammatory properties, and targeted mitochondrial benefits for vision support.
Natural astaxanthin can be found in the eye, including in the muscles that frame the lens at the front of the eye and the retina at the back of the eye. Astaxanthin supports healthy vision by neutralizing free radicals, maintaining a healthy inflammation response, supporting mitochondrial function, and promoting nourishing blood flow to the eye.
Study Highlight
Cloudy lenses are prevalent in 50% of dogs over the age of nine and are caused by a hardening and thickening of the lens. This can affect depth perception and near vision, but unlike cataracts, nuclear sclerosis does not cause blindness. In a study of beagles aged 6 – 8-year-old, daily antioxidant supplementation including astaxanthin helped to improve the visual response to light.1
In another study, dogs supplemented with an antioxidant mix containing astaxanthin had lower levels of dry-eye induced inflammation, doubled their tear production, and had reduced mucous discharge from the eyes after 60 days.2
Products
VetriScience Clear Vision Eyes Support Supplements for Senior Dogs
Nwc Naturals Tri Krill Super Antioxidant Liquid For Dogs And Cats
What’s Next
Antioxidants are an important part of vision support, especially those in the carotenoid family. Beta-carotene from carrots has been synonymous with healthy vision for years, but recent research has shown other carotenoids like lutein, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin also play an important role in keeping eyes healthy. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in leafy greens and are deposited in the retina at the back of the eye, while astaxanthin deposits in the muscles framing the lens at the front of the eye. A complete carotenoid formula supporting canine vision should include all three of these eye healthy antioxidants.
References
- W. Wang et.al, Journal of Nutritional Science, 2016
- S. Destefanis, et.al, BMC Veterinary Research, 2016