Asthenopia (Eye strain)
Supplements studied for asthenopia (eye strain).
Overview
Two supplements are indexed for asthenopia (eye strain) across four studies, both with low ratings (WA 40).
Small bilberry trials reported improvements in eye-focus tests after prolonged screen use, though subjective strain relief was inconsistent. One combination product with bilberry, fish oil, and lutein reduced dry eyes and stiffness, making bilberry-specific effects unclear.
Elderberry was studied only in a multi-ingredient supplement that reduced eye strain over one month; whether elderberry alone helps is uncertain. See the evidence reviews below for details.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Lutein | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Bilberry | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Zeaxanthin | ★★★★★ | Low |
| L-Carnitine | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Elderberry | ★★★★★ | Low |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
5 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
LuteinView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Early research suggests that some supplements combining lutein with other ingredients may help reduce eye strain.
- In one study, people who took lutein, zeaxanthin, and black currant extract for 2 weeks had less eye fatigue after a proofreading task.
- In another study, a mix of lutein, omega‑3 fats, and bilberry for 4 weeks also helped ease eye strain.
- It is not yet known whether lutein by itself provides the same benefit.
Browse 3 studies
RCTThe effects of lutein/ zeaxanthin (Lute-gen®) on eye health, eye strain, sleep quality, and attention in high electronic screen users: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study2025n=70
In 70 high screen users, 6 months of lutein 10 mg plus zeaxanthin 2 mg/day improved Schirmer test, photo-stress recovery, and tear break-up time versus placebo but not self-report symptoms or contrast sensitivity.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 2 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 70
- Ages
- 18–65
RCTEffects of dietary supplementation with a combination of fish oil, bilberry extract, and lutein on subjective symptoms of asthenopia in humans2011n=11
In 20 adults, 4 weeks of fish oil plus bilberry and lutein reduced asthenopia symptoms including dry eye, frustration, and stiff shoulder versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Dose
- 783 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 11
RCTThe effect of lutein supplementation on visual fatigue: a psychophysiological analysis2009n=13
In a crossover trial of 13 participants, lutein/zeaxanthin/blackcurrant supplementation reduced visual fatigue on psychophysiological testing during prolonged proofreading versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Participants
- 13
BilberryView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Some small studies show that taking bilberry supplements may help reduce eye strain caused by looking at computer screens for long periods.
- These studies found improvements in tests measuring how the eye focuses, but people did not always feel less tired or strained.
- Another study found that a supplement combining bilberry with fish oil and lutein helped reduce dry eyes and muscle stiffness, but it’s unclear if bilberry alone caused these benefits.
Browse 3 studies
RCTA 12-Week-Long Intake of Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Improved Objective Findings of Ciliary Muscle Contraction of the Eye: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Comparison Trial2020n=109
A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 109 healthy adults (aged 20-60 yrs) found that daily intake of 240 mg standardized bilberry extract (SBE) significantly improved post-load high-frequency component (HFC-1) values reflecting ciliary muscle contraction following visual display terminal (VDT) tasks compared to placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Dose
- 240 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 109
- Ages
- 20–60
RCTThe effect of consuming an anthocyanin-containing supplement derived from Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) on eye function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study2020
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a bilberry anthocyanin supplement for eye function was identified, but no abstract text was available to report specific outcomes.
- Population
- Healthy adults
RCTEffects of dietary supplementation with a combination of fish oil, bilberry extract, and lutein on subjective symptoms of asthenopia in humans2011n=11
In 20 adults, 4 weeks of fish oil plus bilberry and lutein reduced asthenopia symptoms including dry eye, frustration, and stiff shoulder versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Dose
- 783 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 11
ZeaxanthinView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is not known if taking zeaxanthin by itself helps with eye strain.
- One study showed that a supplement combining zeaxanthin, lutein, and black currant helped reduce tiredness and eye stress after a two-hour reading task.
- The specific effects of zeaxanthin alone on eye strain have not been studied.
Browse 1 study
RCTThe effect of lutein supplementation on visual fatigue: a psychophysiological analysis2009n=13
In a crossover trial of 13 participants, lutein/zeaxanthin/blackcurrant supplementation reduced visual fatigue on psychophysiological testing during prolonged proofreading versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Participants
- 13
ElderberryView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- In people without dry eyes who work long hours on computer screens, taking a supplement with elderberry and other ingredients for one month helped reduce eye strain and improved vision clarity.
- It is uncertain if elderberry alone provides these benefits.
Browse 1 study
ObservationalA Pilot, Phase II, Observational, Case-Control, 1-Month Study on Asthenopia in Video Terminal Operators without Dry Eye: Contrast Sensitivity and Quality of Life before and after the Oral Consumption of a Fixed Combination of Zinc, L-Carnitine, Extract of Elderberry, Currant and Extract of Eleutherococcus2021n=15
In 30 video terminal workers over 1 month, a fixed oral supplement with zinc, L-carnitine, elderberry, black currant, and eleuthero significantly improved contrast sensitivity and reduced eyestrain scores (−14.1 vs −2.3) versus control.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 1 month
- Dose
- 10 mg
- Population
- RA patients
- Participants
- 15
L-CarnitineView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- For people who spend long hours in front of computer screens and experience eye strain but do not have dry eyes, taking a supplement with L-carnitine, zinc, elderberry, black currant, and eleuthero root once daily for a month may help reduce eye strain and sensitivity.
- It’s not clear which ingredient helps most, so more research is needed to be sure.
Browse 1 study
ObservationalA Pilot, Phase II, Observational, Case-Control, 1-Month Study on Asthenopia in Video Terminal Operators without Dry Eye: Contrast Sensitivity and Quality of Life before and after the Oral Consumption of a Fixed Combination of Zinc, L-Carnitine, Extract of Elderberry, Currant and Extract of Eleutherococcus2021n=15
In 30 video terminal workers over 1 month, a fixed oral supplement with zinc, L-carnitine, elderberry, black currant, and eleuthero significantly improved contrast sensitivity and reduced eyestrain scores (−14.1 vs −2.3) versus control.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 1 month
- Dose
- 10 mg
- Population
- RA patients
- Participants
- 15
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilberry | ★★★★★48% | 3 | 0 | 33% |
| Lutein | ★★★★★64% | 3 | 0 | 33% |
| Elderberry | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 11% |
| L-Carnitine | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 11% |
| Zeaxanthin | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 11% |