Astaxanthin (AstaReal®) Improved Acute and Chronic Digital Eye Strain in Children: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

IF 3.4 3区医学 Q2 MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL

Advances in Therapy Pub Date : 2025-02-27 DOI:10.1007/s12325-025-03125-7

Karen A. Hecht, Megha Marwah, Vincent Wood, Yasuhiro Nishida, Austin E. Bach, Jeffry Gerson, Milton M. Hom, Joerg Schnackenberg, Sonal Raote, Shalini Srivastava, Pankaj Negi, Eric Caston

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Abstract

Introduction

This study assessed the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on chronic and acute digital eye strain in school-aged children (10–14 years) and evaluated its safety. While previous studies focused on adults, this study examined astaxanthin’s effects on developing eyes.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted over 84 days involving 64 children engaged in ≥ 4 h of screen time daily and experiencing mild to moderate computer vision syndrome (CVS) symptoms as indicated by a CVS-Questionnaire (CVS-Q) score ≥ 8 and < 19. Participants received a daily 4-mg astaxanthin soft capsule for 84 days. Primary outcomes were measured using CVS-Q, while secondary outcomes included visual fatigue Likert scale (VFLS), visual acuity, spherical equivalence, near point of accommodation, near exophoria, dry eye intensity, pupil size, stereopsis, blinking frequency, immunity, and safety variables.

Results

Of the 64 participants (mean age 11.5–11.7 years), 35 were male and 29 were female. Astaxanthin supplementation significantly improved CVS-Q scores after 84 days (− 4.00 ± 4.05 arbitrary units (A.U.) from baseline, p < 0.0001) compared to placebo (− 1.72 ± 3.61 A.U., p < 0.05), a 20% between group difference. The mean VFLS scores were significantly lower in the astaxanthin group (11.55 ± 5.78 A.U.) compared to placebo (15.78 ± 7.12 A.U., p = 0.01), showing a 27% improvement after 84 days. Stereopsis improved significantly after acute visual load at 28 and 84 days (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001 vs. placebo, respectively), and pupillary light reflex improved after 84 days (p < 0.05 vs. placebo). Tear production increased after 14, 56, and 84 days (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001 vs. baseline, respectively) in the astaxanthin group, with no significant intergroup difference in the Schirmer I test, visual acuity, spherical equivalence, near point of accommodation, near exphoria, immune markers, or safety variables.

Conclusion

Astaxanthin supplementation effectively reduced chronic and acute digital eye strain, while enhancing objective measures of visual performance in school-aged children, underscoring the benefits of astaxanthin in pediatric visual health and performance.

Trial Registration

NIH ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05602402); Clinical Trials Registry India (Registration Number: CTRI/2022/10/046606).

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来源期刊

Advances in Therapy 医学-药学

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

2.60%

发文量

353

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Advances in Therapy is an international, peer reviewed, rapid-publication (peer review in 2 weeks, published 3–4 weeks from acceptance) journal dedicated to the publication of high-quality clinical (all phases), observational, real-world, and health outcomes research around the discovery, development, and use of therapeutics and interventions (including devices) across all therapeutic areas. Studies relating to diagnostics and diagnosis, pharmacoeconomics, public health, epidemiology, quality of life, and patient care, management, and education are also encouraged. The journal is of interest to a broad audience of healthcare professionals and publishes original research, reviews, communications and letters. The journal is read by a global audience and receives submissions from all over the world. Advances in Therapy will consider all scientifically sound research be it positive, confirmatory or negative data. Submissions are welcomed whether they relate to an international and/or a country-specific audience, something that is crucially important when researchers are trying to target more specific patient populations. This inclusive approach allows the journal to assist in the dissemination of all scientifically and ethically sound research.