sales@naturalin.com
+86(731)84430651
How do plant extracts promote eye health?
Author : Naturalin Date : Click : times
In an era marked by prolonged screen time and aging populations, vision-related issues such as eye fatigue, dry eye, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have become increasingly prevalent. Plant extracts, rich in bioactive compounds honed by nature over millennia, have emerged as potential allies in safeguarding ocular health. Their diverse mechanisms of action, from neutralizing oxidative stress to regulating ocular physiology, cover multiple facets of eye health, offering natural options for daily eye care.
Antioxidant Protection Against Oxidative Stress
The eye is constantly exposed to light and metabolic processes that generate free radicals, leading to oxidative stress—which is associated with retinal damage, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Many plant extracts are rich in antioxidants that can neutralize these harmful molecules, such as anthocyanins in blueberries, lutein and zeaxanthin in marigold, and catechins in green tea. These compounds may scavenge free radicals to protect retinal cells and lens integrity; for instance, lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the retinal macula, which may help quench singlet oxygen and reduce photooxidative damage.
Anti-inflammatory Effects to Alleviate Ocular Discomfort
Chronic inflammation is associated with dry eye, glaucoma, and uveitis. Plant-derived compounds like curcumin, astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis, and flavonoids in elderberry may inhibit inflammatory pathways, which is beneficial for alleviating swelling and discomfort. Astaxanthin may specifically suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines, which helps ease screen-related eye fatigue, while Ginkgo biloba extract (rich in flavonol glycosides) may reduce ocular inflammation and have a protective effect on optic nerve function.
Regulation of Ocular Physiology and Circulation
Healthy blood flow and tissue function are crucial for vision. Plant extracts may enhance ocular microcirculation and regulate key physiological processes: anthocyanins in bilberries may strengthen retinal capillaries to improve blood supply; cassia seed extract (a traditional medicinal staple) may promote tear film stability, which is helpful for relieving dry eye; crocetin from saffron can activate the EGR-1 transcription factor, regulating scleral collagen synthesis to inhibit excessive eye axial growth, which shows potential for adolescent myopia care.
Blue Light Filtration and Retinal Protection
Specific plant extracts have attracted scientific attention for their potential eye-protective properties, with relevant clinical and preclinical research underway.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin (Marigold and Calendula Extracts)
As macular-concentrated carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin are important for central vision. They can filter blue light and neutralize free radicals, which may help slow the progression of AMD and cataracts. Relevant clinical studies suggest that they may play a role in reducing eye fatigue and improving visual contrast sensitivity, especially for those with prolonged screen exposure.
Anthocyanin-Rich Extracts (Blueberry, Blackcurrant, Black Chokeberry)
Anthocyanins may enhance retinal rhodopsin regeneration, which is beneficial for improving dark adaptation and visual acuity, and may also strengthen ocular blood vessels, which is associated with reducing the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Human trials suggest that blueberry extract supplementation may help alleviate digital eye strain and improve macular function in older adults.
Crocetin (Saffron Extract)
In myopia research, crocetin has shown potential in inhibiting eye axial elongation and thickening the choroid to improve retinal oxygen supply. Clinical trials in children suggest that daily crocetin supplementation may help slow myopia progression and preserve choroidal thickness, providing a natural option for myopia care.
Green Tea Extract
Rich in catechins, green tea extract has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective potential, which may be relevant to improving dry eye, glaucoma, and retinal degeneration by inhibiting oxidative enzymes and reducing vascular damage. Its safety profile makes it suitable for long-term use as an adjunct eye care ingredient.
Cassia Seed Extract
Traditionally used to "nourish the liver and improve eyesight," cassia seed extract contains anthraquinones and polysaccharides that may help reduce eye fatigue and lower intraocular pressure. It may support ocular surface health by enhancing mucin production, which is beneficial for relieving dry eye symptoms.
References
1.PMC. Botanical Compounds: Effects on Major Eye Diseases. 2025.
2.China.com. Mueyeco Crocetin: A Natural New Hope for Juvenile Myopia Prevention and Control. 2025.
3.PMC. Potential therapeutic effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) in eye diseases, a review. 2025.
Core Mechanisms of Action
Antioxidant Protection Against Oxidative Stress
The eye is constantly exposed to light and metabolic processes that generate free radicals, leading to oxidative stress—which is associated with retinal damage, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Many plant extracts are rich in antioxidants that can neutralize these harmful molecules, such as anthocyanins in blueberries, lutein and zeaxanthin in marigold, and catechins in green tea. These compounds may scavenge free radicals to protect retinal cells and lens integrity; for instance, lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the retinal macula, which may help quench singlet oxygen and reduce photooxidative damage.
Anti-inflammatory Effects to Alleviate Ocular Discomfort
Chronic inflammation is associated with dry eye, glaucoma, and uveitis. Plant-derived compounds like curcumin, astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis, and flavonoids in elderberry may inhibit inflammatory pathways, which is beneficial for alleviating swelling and discomfort. Astaxanthin may specifically suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines, which helps ease screen-related eye fatigue, while Ginkgo biloba extract (rich in flavonol glycosides) may reduce ocular inflammation and have a protective effect on optic nerve function.
Regulation of Ocular Physiology and Circulation
Healthy blood flow and tissue function are crucial for vision. Plant extracts may enhance ocular microcirculation and regulate key physiological processes: anthocyanins in bilberries may strengthen retinal capillaries to improve blood supply; cassia seed extract (a traditional medicinal staple) may promote tear film stability, which is helpful for relieving dry eye; crocetin from saffron can activate the EGR-1 transcription factor, regulating scleral collagen synthesis to inhibit excessive eye axial growth, which shows potential for adolescent myopia care.
Blue Light Filtration and Retinal Protection
Widespread electronic device use makes blue light-induced eye damage a major concern. Certain plant compounds may act as natural blue light protectors: lutein and zeaxanthin in marigold can absorb blue light to reduce retinal penetration; anthocyanins in blueberry extracts may enhance retinal photoreceptor adaptation to blue light, which is beneficial for mitigating fatigue and sensitivity. Relevant research shows that a combination of plant-derived antioxidants (tea polyphenols, tocopherol, wolfberry extract) may increase protection against blue light damage.
Key Plant Extracts and Their Ocular Benefits
Specific plant extracts have attracted scientific attention for their potential eye-protective properties, with relevant clinical and preclinical research underway.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin (Marigold and Calendula Extracts)
As macular-concentrated carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin are important for central vision. They can filter blue light and neutralize free radicals, which may help slow the progression of AMD and cataracts. Relevant clinical studies suggest that they may play a role in reducing eye fatigue and improving visual contrast sensitivity, especially for those with prolonged screen exposure.
Anthocyanin-Rich Extracts (Blueberry, Blackcurrant, Black Chokeberry)
Anthocyanins may enhance retinal rhodopsin regeneration, which is beneficial for improving dark adaptation and visual acuity, and may also strengthen ocular blood vessels, which is associated with reducing the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Human trials suggest that blueberry extract supplementation may help alleviate digital eye strain and improve macular function in older adults.
Crocetin (Saffron Extract)
In myopia research, crocetin has shown potential in inhibiting eye axial elongation and thickening the choroid to improve retinal oxygen supply. Clinical trials in children suggest that daily crocetin supplementation may help slow myopia progression and preserve choroidal thickness, providing a natural option for myopia care.
Green Tea Extract
Rich in catechins, green tea extract has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective potential, which may be relevant to improving dry eye, glaucoma, and retinal degeneration by inhibiting oxidative enzymes and reducing vascular damage. Its safety profile makes it suitable for long-term use as an adjunct eye care ingredient.
Cassia Seed Extract
Traditionally used to "nourish the liver and improve eyesight," cassia seed extract contains anthraquinones and polysaccharides that may help reduce eye fatigue and lower intraocular pressure. It may support ocular surface health by enhancing mucin production, which is beneficial for relieving dry eye symptoms.
Conclusion
References
1.PMC. Botanical Compounds: Effects on Major Eye Diseases. 2025.
2.China.com. Mueyeco Crocetin: A Natural New Hope for Juvenile Myopia Prevention and Control. 2025.
3.PMC. Potential therapeutic effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) in eye diseases, a review. 2025.
Label:
Return list
