The retina, particularly the region known as the macula, plays a crucial role in our ability to see clearly. It's responsible for central vision and color perception, and it's densely packed with photoreceptor cells that react to light.

Emerging research suggests that astaxanthin might improve retinal health and thereby enhance night vision and light adaptation. Although the precise mechanisms are still under investigation, some researchers speculate that astaxanthin's ability to protect the retina from oxidative stress, enhance blood flow, and potentially stimulate photoreceptor cells could be contributing factors.

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition characterised by insufficient tear production or quality, leading to eye discomfort and inflammation. Research indicates that astaxanthin could help alleviate symptoms of dry eye syndrome, such as irritation, redness, and blurry vision.

One study found that astaxanthin, combined with other carotenoids, could significantly improve tear production and reduce symptoms of dry eye. The anti-inflammatory properties of astaxanthin might also play a crucial role in this context, as inflammation is a key factor in dry eye syndrome.

axanthin could play a role in improving visual acuity. However, more research is needed to further understand and validate these effects. After considering all the potential benefits, you might be wondering how to incorporate astaxanthin into your routine. While there isn't a universally accepted dosage, most studies have used daily doses between mg, showing promising results without significant side effects.

However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking other medications. Astaxanthin is typically available as a supplement in capsule or softgel form. It can also be obtained from certain foods, with wild Pacific salmon being one of the richest dietary sources.

Like any dietary supplement, consuming astaxanthin for eye health comes with its considerations and trade-offs.

While it is generally recognised as safe, with very few reported side effects, individual reactions can vary. Moreover, while astaxanthin has been studied extensively in vitro in the lab and in animal models, human studies have been limited, and more extensive clinical trials are needed to ascertain its efficacy and safety profile fully.

Astaxanthin is fat-soluble, meaning it requires dietary fat for proper absorption. Therefore, it should ideally be taken with a meal containing healthy fats for optimal absorption.

If one's diet is low in fat, this could impact the absorption and efficacy of astaxanthin, which is a trade-off that needs to be considered. Furthermore, while astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, it's not a standalone solution for eye health.

A balanced diet rich in a variety of nutrients, along with lifestyle factors like adequate rest, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, are equally important for maintaining good eye health.

When making decisions about incorporating astaxanthin into one's routine for improving eyesight, several factors should be considered. First, the current state of one's eye health and overall health is crucial. For those with pre-existing eye conditions or other health issues, it's especially important to consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement regimen.

The body of research supporting astaxanthin's benefits for eye health is growing, but it's essential to balance this with the understanding that more research is needed, particularly in humans. The potential benefits must be weighed against the possible trade-offs and challenges, including any side effects, interactions with other medications, cost, and lifestyle adjustments needed for optimal absorption.

Finally, it's important to remember that supplements like astaxanthin are not a substitute for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, which play a foundational role in maintaining good eye health. Consider astaxanthin as a potential ally in your journey to enhanced vision, but one that is part of a broader, holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

Astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant carotenoid, has emerged as a potential ally in promoting eye health and improving vision.

Its strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, coupled with its unique ability to cross cell membranes and reach the retina, make it a promising candidate for combatting eye-related concerns such as age-related macular degeneration, eye strain, and fatigue, and visual acuity.

While the existing body of research paints a promising picture of astaxanthin's potential benefits, it's crucial to acknowledge that more human trials are needed to solidify these claims and fully elucidate the mechanisms at work. The complexity of the human body and the multitudes of factors influencing eye health necessitates an understanding of astaxanthin's role within a broader, holistic approach to eye health.

From the trade-offs associated with fat-soluble supplements to the challenges of bioavailability and the nuances of individual health, decisions about incorporating astaxanthin into one's eye health routine should be made thoughtfully.

Moreover, astaxanthin should be seen as an adjunct to a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, not a replacement. Ultimately, the power of astaxanthin for vision enhancement is a burgeoning area of research with exciting possibilities.

As science continues to unveil the benefits of this potent carotenoid, individuals seeking to maintain and improve their eye health have a potentially powerful tool at their disposal.

It's a bright future for astaxanthin and our understanding of its role in ocular health. For more everything you need to know about Astaxanthin, check out our comprehensive information page here. To learn more about our astaxanthin, check out the product page here.

Just added to your cart. Continue Shopping. Close search. Home Astaxanthin How Astaxanthin Can Help Improve Your Eyesight. How Astaxanthin Can Help Improve Your Eyesight by Ron Goedeke. Unveiling the Power of Astaxanthin for Vision Enhancement Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring pigment found primarily in marine organisms like microalgae, salmon, shrimp, and lobster.

What is Astaxanthin? The Science Behind Astaxanthin's Eye-Boosting Benefits The benefits of astaxanthin are largely attributed to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. How Astaxanthin Protects Eye Health The eyes are especially susceptible to oxidative stress due to constant exposure to light and oxygen.

Combatting Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Astaxanthin's Role Age-related macular degeneration AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults, and it's primarily caused by oxidative stress and inflammation.

Improving Visual Acuity and Sharpness with Astaxanthin Visual acuity refers to the sharpness of vision or the ability to see details at both close and far distances.

Relieving Eye Fatigue and Strain: Astaxanthin's Soothing Effects In today's digital world, many of us spend hours staring at screens, leading to eye strain and fatigue. Astaxanthin and Retinal Health: Enhancing Night Vision and Light Adaptation The retina, particularly the region known as the macula, plays a crucial role in our ability to see clearly.

Astaxanthin and Eye Inflammation: Alleviating Dry Eyes and Irritation Dry eye syndrome is a common condition characterised by insufficient tear production or quality, leading to eye discomfort and inflammation. Incorporating Astaxanthin into Your Eye Health Routine: Dosage and Considerations After considering all the potential benefits, you might be wondering how to incorporate astaxanthin into your routine.

Balancing Factors and Trade-offs Like any dietary supplement, consuming astaxanthin for eye health comes with its considerations and trade-offs. The Impact on Decision Making When making decisions about incorporating astaxanthin into one's routine for improving eyesight, several factors should be considered.

The benefits of astaxanthin range from reducing eye strain to having a potential role in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. One of the proposed mechanisms behind the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration AMD is the effect of oxidative stress on retinal pigment epithelial RPE cells resulting in degeneration, dysfunction and cell loss.

A two-year study investigating the effects of an antioxidant supplement including 4mg of astaxanthin on AMD symptoms found that active treatment resulted in clinically meaningful stabilisations and improvements in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and visual functioning, indicating that antioxidants may help to both delay the progression of AMD and improve visual performances.

In vitro research has shown that astaxanthin has a protective effect on RPE cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Japanese researchers have extensively studied the effect of astaxanthin supplementation on eye fatigue, eye strain, blurred vision and presbyopia, which is the inability to focus on near objects.

A dose of 9mg of astaxanthin per day was found to significantly improve eye strain in visual display terminal workers after four weeks of supplementation. A non-polar zone consisting of conjugated carbon-carbon bonds joins the ionone rings and forms the backbone of astaxanthin.

Carotenoids such as betacarotene may show pro-oxidant properties under certain conditions. Astaxanthin differs in this regard and is considered a pure antioxidant with no pro-oxidant capabilities.

Astaxanthin professional monograph. Natural Standard Kidd P. Astaxanthin, cell membrane nutrient with diverse clinical benefits and anti-aging potential. Altern Med Rev ;16 4 The information provided on FX Medicine is for educational and informational purposes only.

The information provided on this site is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you have read here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.

Skip to main content. Eye fatigue, eye strain and visual sharpness Japanese researchers have extensively studied the effect of astaxanthin supplementation on eye fatigue, eye strain, blurred vision and presbyopia, which is the inability to focus on near objects.

Method of retarding and ameliorating central nervous system and eye damage. Patent US, 18 June Mol Vis ; Carotenoids in Age-Related Maculopathy Italian Study CARMIS : two-year results of a randomised study.

However, while these findings are promising, more research is needed to establish the definitive role of astaxanthin in AMD prevention and treatment. Visual acuity refers to the sharpness of vision or the ability to see details at both close and far distances. Several studies have suggested that astaxanthin could play a role in improving visual acuity.

One particular study found that individuals who took astaxanthin daily for a year saw improvements in their visual acuity and depth perception. The underlying mechanism may be due to astaxanthin's potential to improve blood flow to the retinal capillaries, nourishing the eyes and promoting overall ocular health.

However, more research is needed to understand further and validate these effects. In today's digital world, many of us spend hours staring at screens, leading to eye strain and fatigue. Promisingly, research suggests that astaxanthin may help alleviate these symptoms. A study conducted on individuals who used visual display terminals found that astaxanthin significantly reduced symptoms of eye strain, such as heaviness, soreness, dryness, and blurry vision.

While the exact mechanism isn't fully understood, it's proposed that astaxanthin's potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties play a role. Moreover, by improving the blood flow to the eyes, it may help remove waste products more efficiently, reducing strain and discomfort.

The retina, particularly the region known as the macula, plays a crucial role in our ability to see clearly. It's responsible for central vision and color perception, and it's densely packed with photoreceptor cells that react to light.

Emerging research suggests that astaxanthin might improve retinal health and thereby enhance night vision and light adaptation.

Although the precise mechanisms are still under investigation, some researchers speculate that astaxanthin's ability to protect the retina from oxidative stress, enhance blood flow, and potentially stimulate photoreceptor cells could be contributing factors.

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition characterised by insufficient tear production or quality, leading to eye discomfort and inflammation. Research indicates that astaxanthin could help alleviate symptoms of dry eye syndrome, such as irritation, redness, and blurry vision. One study found that astaxanthin, combined with other carotenoids, could significantly improve tear production and reduce symptoms of dry eye.

The anti-inflammatory properties of astaxanthin might also play a crucial role in this context, as inflammation is a key factor in dry eye syndrome. axanthin could play a role in improving visual acuity. However, more research is needed to further understand and validate these effects. After considering all the potential benefits, you might be wondering how to incorporate astaxanthin into your routine.

While there isn't a universally accepted dosage, most studies have used daily doses between mg, showing promising results without significant side effects. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking other medications.

Astaxanthin is typically available as a supplement in capsule or softgel form. It can also be obtained from certain foods, with wild Pacific salmon being one of the richest dietary sources. Like any dietary supplement, consuming astaxanthin for eye health comes with its considerations and trade-offs.

While it is generally recognised as safe, with very few reported side effects, individual reactions can vary. Moreover, while astaxanthin has been studied extensively in vitro in the lab and in animal models, human studies have been limited, and more extensive clinical trials are needed to ascertain its efficacy and safety profile fully.

Astaxanthin is fat-soluble, meaning it requires dietary fat for proper absorption. Therefore, it should ideally be taken with a meal containing healthy fats for optimal absorption. If one's diet is low in fat, this could impact the absorption and efficacy of astaxanthin, which is a trade-off that needs to be considered.

Furthermore, while astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, it's not a standalone solution for eye health.

A balanced diet rich in a variety of nutrients, along with lifestyle factors like adequate rest, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, are equally important for maintaining good eye health.

When making decisions about incorporating astaxanthin into one's routine for improving eyesight, several factors should be considered. First, the current state of one's eye health and overall health is crucial. For those with pre-existing eye conditions or other health issues, it's especially important to consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement regimen.

The body of research supporting astaxanthin's benefits for eye health is growing, but it's essential to balance this with the understanding that more research is needed, particularly in humans. The potential benefits must be weighed against the possible trade-offs and challenges, including any side effects, interactions with other medications, cost, and lifestyle adjustments needed for optimal absorption.

Ambati, , et al. Astaxanthin: Sources, Extraction, Stability, Biological Activities and Its Commercial Applications—A Review. Mar Drugs. Disclaimer: The information presented by Nature's Best is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies human, animal, or in vitro , clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article.

The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available.

View More. Search Other Blogs. What is astaxanthin? How can astaxanthin support your vision? Research into astaxanthin has found it may be beneficial in reducing: Eye strain These days most of us use computers at work, not to mention smartphones, tablets and other digital devices at home and during our leisure time.

Age-related macular degeneration AMD One factor thought to play a crucial part in vision loss associated with AMD is damage to retinal pigmented epithelium RPE cells, and the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells they support.

References: Miki, W. pdf Shiratori, K. Understanding Eye Strain Symptoms: How Do I Prevent Them? Preventing Cataracts: Practical Steps to Maintain Eye Health. Does Blue Light Really Have an Impact on Our Overall Eye Health.

Explore more: Diet and Supplements. In this study, the total OSDI score, NIBUT, FBUT, TMH, SIT, degree of conjunctival congestion, and LLT conformed to a normal distribution by W test, and the data are represented by mean ± standard deviation X ¯ ± s.

Before treatment, at 2 weeks after the initiation of treatment, and the end of treatment, no correlation was established between the OSDI score and the left and right eye data.

One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance ANOVA was used for overall comparison, and Least Significant Difference LSD - t -test was used for pairwise comparison at different time. NIBUT, FBUT, TMH, SIt, degree of conjunctival congestion, LLT, and other data involving the correlation between the left and right eyes were collected bilaterally, and thus, a mixed-effect model was used for analysis.

The corneal fluorescence staining score, eyelid margin changes, meibomian gland expressibility, meibum quality, meibomian gland dropout, blink frequency, incomplete blink proportion, VA and IOP did not conform to a normal distribution by W test and are represented by median the first quartile value, the third quartile value as M Q1, Q3.

Before treatment, 2 weeks after the initiation of treatment, and at the end of the treatment, the corneal fluorescence staining score, eyelid margin changes, meibomian gland expressibility, meibum quality, meibomian gland dropout, blink frequency, incomplete blink proportion, VA and IOP data were collected bilaterally, which were analyzed by mixed-effects model.

The overall OSDI scores before and after treatment showed a statistically significant difference Table 1. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was detected in the overall NIBUT, FBUT of patients before and after treatment Table 2.

Table 2. Changes in NIBUT, FBUT, TMH, SIt, LLT, and conjunctival congestion degree before and after treatment. The overall comparison of CFS score, eyelid margin signs, MG expressibility, meibum quality, blink frequency before and after treatment showed a statistically significant difference Table 3.

The mean blink frequency was Table 3. Changes in CFS score, eyelid margin changes, MG expressibility, meibum quality, MGDR, blink frequency, and incomplete blink proportion before and after treatment. The anterior segment and fundus in all patients also had no significant changes.

None of the patients complained of other adverse reactions. With the deepening of the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of DED, the promotion of inflammation and oxidative stress on the occurrence and development of DED and their interaction has been under intensive focus 13 , 41 , Currently, anti-inflammatory drugs, including glucocorticoid, cyclosporine A, and tacrolimus, have been marketed for the treatment of DED Only a few clinical studies have addressed the application of antioxidants in DED.

A study found that oxidative stress promotes the production of reactive oxygen molecules, induces ocular surface epithelial damage, and promotes the occurrence and development of DED Therefore, it is crucial to explore the effects of oxidative stress and antioxidant therapy on DED to elucidate the pathogenesis of DED and explore novel therapeutic targets.

Astaxanthin has good antioxidant properties and can be industrially produced. Presently, the main industrial production method of astaxanthin is through the culture of Rhodococcus Some studies have shown that the accumulation of astaxanthin in the ocular tissues of rats fed with astaxanthin-rich Rhodococcus can reach the maximum level within 6 h 46 , indicating good bioavailability and the potential of achieving an effective blood concentration and playing a role in resisting oxidative stress in the eye.

Therefore, astaxanthin from Rhodiococcus was selected to explore its therapeutic effect on mild to moderate middle-aged and elderly patients with DED.

This prospective, single-center, one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study was conducted to observe the improvement in subjective symptoms and objective signs of mild-to-moderate DED in middle-aged and elderly patients with different etiologies after a daily supplement of 12 mg astaxanthin for 14 and 30 days.

The results showed that OSDI score, CFS score, NIBUT, FBUT, meibum quality, and blink frequency were significantly improved on day 14 after daily astaxanthin supplementation compared with that before treatment. Both OSDI score and CFS score showed a tendency to improve with the duration of treatment.

NIBUT, FBUT, and blink frequency were significantly improved 14 days after the initiation of the treatment. Although MG expressibility and eyelid margin signs were not significantly improved on day 14, they were significantly improved on day 30 compared with that before administration.

Also, no significant differences were detected in the MGDR, TMH, SIt, LLT, conjunctival congestion degree, and incomplete blink. OSDI is the score representing patients' subjective symptoms related to the severity of DED signs.

In the current study, the patients' OSDI scores continued to decline, which might be attributable to astaxanthin blocking oxidative stress injury by increasing the level of antioxidant substances in the eye and inactivating and scavenging oxygen free radicals while downregulating inflammatory factors, such as interleukin IL -1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor TNF-α Therefore, astaxanthin may alleviate local inflammatory response, reduce the severity of DED signs and relieve the symptoms.

Corneal fluorescence staining score reflects the degree of the corneal epithelial defect and is an objective index to measure the severity of DED. The results of this study showed that after oral astaxanthin tablets, the CFS score of patients showed a downward trend compared with that before the treatment, and the corneal epithelial defect was improved continuously, which was greater at 30 days than at 14 days after oral administration.

Some animal experiments have shown that astaxanthin improved the corneal fluorescence staining and reduced the expression of age-related markers in the dry eyes of rats Thus, this phenomenon may be related to the fact that astaxanthin is an effective antioxidant, reduces local oxidative damage and inflammatory response, and provides a local microenvironment for the repair of corneal epithelial cells.

It usually takes a while before the local microenvironment becomes suitable for corneal epithelial proliferation and hence, the speed of corneal epithelial repair is slow in the initial 14 days.

Well-controlled inflammation and a local microenvironment suitable for cell proliferation could explain the marked improvement of corneal epithelial defect at day NIBUT and FBUT mainly reflect the stability of the tear film.

The tear film stability is related to several factors, such as the changes in tear composition, tear secretion, and mucin secretion 7. In the current study, NIBUT and FBUT showed an overall upward trend, and the increase was obvious in the first 14 days, which might be related to the improvement in the secretion properties of the ocular glands.

Since the control of inflammation in the first 14 days improved the structure and composition and greatly increased the stability of the tear film, the NIBUT and FBUT were prolonged. The level of oxidative stress in conjunctival goblet cells in middle-aged and elderly individuals with DED is high The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin may improve the inflammatory response of conjunctival goblet cells, thereby promoting mucin secretion, playing the role of mucin anchor, and increasing tear film stability.

The eyelid margin signs, MG expressibility, meibum quality, and MGDR could reflect the degree of eyelid margin inflammation and the function of the meibomian gland. Compared with before treatment, all three parameters were improved continuously, and the improvement in meibum quality was significant at 14 days after the initiation of treatment, while the changes in eyelid margin signs and the enhanced MG expressibility were more obvious at 30 days.

The meibomian gland of DED patients is in a state of high oxidative stress 16 , Astaxanthin could improve the surrounding environment of meibomian gland cells, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which would help improve the amount and quality of meibum secretion.

However, the increase of MG expressibility was a slow process, and hence, its improvement lagged slightly behind that of meibum quality. Astaxanthin improved the oxidative stress and inflammation of the eyelids, which helped reduce inflammation edema, inhibit angiogenesis, vasodilatation and keratosis.

Therefore, the eyelid margin signs score decreased. However, the improvement of eyelid margin was not obvious in the first 14 days, which was believed to be the reason that keratosis of the eyelid margin and congested vessels needed a period of time to be absorbed.

No significant difference was detected in MGDR before and after treatment, which was related to the irreversibility. LLT is affected by the amount and quality of meibum secreted by the meibomian glands The lipid layer of the tear film is composed of meibum secreted by the meibomian glands.

The decrease in meibum secretion can directly lead to the decrease of LLT Reduced meibum quality can increase tear film instability, resulting in uneven distribution of tear film on the ocular surface, and thereby affecting the LLT value. LLT increased after the treatment, albeit not significantly.

Moreover, this phenomenon could also be accounted for a low baseline level of tear film lipid layer thickness in patients with mild-to-moderate DED. The improvement in the secretion capacity of the meibomian gland was not obvious in the first 14 days, and it would result in less increase in the thickness of the lipid layer of the tear film.

Change in the blink characteristics is a major contributing factor to DED, mainly including blink frequency and incomplete blink proportion. These two characteristics are affected by many factors, such as mental state, attention, physical activity, eye contact, and environment Under normal circumstances, the average number of blinks per minute is 15—20 7 , i.

In the current study, the number of blinks in 20 s was measured. According to the results, the blink frequency decreased gradually. Pretreatment blink frequency was higher than the normal value, which might be related to ocular surface symptoms and signs of patients with DED.

Patients with poor tear film stability, shortened BUT, and severe DED symptoms, could only rely on increased blink frequency to achieve an optimal visual effect.

However, after treatment, the blink frequency decreased gradually, albeit in some individuals, it was still higher than normal levels. Combined with the BUT, the time also increased but was still shorter than normal, which could be attributed to the blink frequency limited by the short BUT.

In addition, the patients' OSDI score decreased but was higher than normal, indicating that the patients' symptoms had not disappeared completely, and long-term efficacy of astaxanthin is yet to be observed.

Incomplete blinks are usually associated with long-term use of video terminals or other factors that impede eyelid closure 51 , Incomplete blink proportion had no significant change before and after treatment. This indicated that astaxanthin could not affect the method of blinking.

Conjunctival congestion degree is a major indicator of ocular surface inflammation. In this study, the degree of conjunctival congestion in patients was not significantly improved compared with that before the treatment, which might be due to the fact that the local anti-inflammatory effect of astaxanthin takes a long time to effectuate, the degree of ocular surface inflammation in patients with mild-to-moderate DED was mild or the short test time and small sample size.

The TMH and SIt reflected the lacrimal gland secretion capacity. In this study, TMH and SIt of patients before and after treatment did not improve significantly, which is similar to the results of previous animal experiments This phenomenon could be attributed to the lack of a promoting effect on lacrimal gland secretion or failure to achieve an effective concentration of astaxanthin in the local lacrimal gland, thereby resulting in an inadequate improvement of lacrimal eye inflammation.

It may also be related to the short test time and small sample size. There were no significant changes in visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior segment and fundus before and after treatment. During the experiment, the subjects showed adaptability and no adverse reactions or complications.

Given astaxanthin is administered orally, there is no ocular irritation. These results indicated that astaxanthin tablets could exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, ocular surface repair functions without causing discomfort.

Additionally, the patients showed high medication compliance. Therefore, oral astaxanthin could be considered a safe method for the treatment of DED. Nevertheless, the present study has some shortcomings. First, this study was a single-group design and had no control group.

Although the changes in patients' conditions before and after astaxanthin intervention could be obtained, the placebo effect was ignored. Second, the observation time of this study was only about 1 month, and hence, it is impossible to predict the long-term efficacy of astaxanthin on DED.

Third, the tear composition of the patients was not tested and systemic and local oxidative stress was not measured, rendering it impossible to observe whether astaxanthin reduces the oxidation in the tear.

However, a range of measures were taken to improve the credibility of our study. The authors ensured that all patients were examined by the same experienced ophthalmologist, explained the questions before completing the OSDI questionnaire and allowed adequate time to answer it.

Herein, the authors would propose a follow-up study to set up a reasonable control group, prolonged observation time for the observation of long-term curative effect and adverse reactions, in which case the sample size would be increased and the tear composition detection would be added, so that the efficacy of the astaxanthin in patients of different gender and age groups could be observed.

In conclusion, as a comfortable option with fewer adverse reactions, oral administration of astaxanthin could serve as an effective treatment of DED by improving the tear film stability, the repair of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells and the secretion function of the meibomian gland, improving subjective symptoms of DED.

However, its effect on promoting lacrimal gland secretion was observed to be limited. The single-group design and lack of molecular biological detection constitute limitations of the current study, thus further studies with more robust methodology, such as randomized controlled trials and tests for inflammatory factors and oxidative stress are needed.

Astaxanthin is of the potential to be a new choice for the treatment of mild to moderate DED. The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation. The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren hospital.

LT contributed to the conception of the study. LT and YWe prepared the first draft. YWe, SL, PZ, YWa, and JW performed the experiment and recorded the data. KC and LD contributed significantly to the data analysis. NW and YJ provided constructive suggestions regarding the manuscript preparation, the data analysis and the interpretation of the results, and made critical revisions to the manuscript.

All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers.

Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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