Vejiga (ulcerada)

Anthocyanins are the active class of pigment phytochemicals in bilberry and black currant with specific clinical evidence for VDT-induced eye fatigue. A PMC-indexed systematic review (Molecules 2019, PMC6767261) confirms anthocyanins relieve ciliary muscle tension, reduce visual fatigue symptoms, and improve retinal blood flow. Multiple RCTs in VDT workers using anthocyanin extracts show improvements in accommodative function, tear film stability, and subjective eye fatigue.

Anthocyanosides are glycoside forms of anthocyanins found in bilberry and black currant, studied specifically for VDT-related eye fatigue. Nakaishi et al. (Altern Med Rev 2000) demonstrated that black currant anthocyanoside intake reduced VDT work-induced transient refractive alteration in humans. A PMC review (2019) confirms anthocyanosides relieve ciliary muscle tension, a primary driver of digital eye fatigue.

Astaxanthin is a ketocarotenoid derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae with multiple clinical trials demonstrating benefits for digital eye strain and visual fatigue. A 2025 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=64 children, 4 mg/day, 84 days) in Advances in Therapy found a 20% reduction in computer vision syndrome symptoms and a 27% improvement in visual fatigue versus placebo. Multiple adult trials also show improved accommodative amplitude, retinal blood flow, and ciliary muscle function.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) anthocyanins have been studied in multiple RCTs for VDT-induced eye fatigue. A 2015 PubMed-indexed RCT (n=281 office workers, 480 mg/day bilberry extract, 8 weeks) evaluated critical flicker fusion, near point accommodation, and subjective eye fatigue symptoms. A 2020 PMC-published RCT (n=109, 240 mg/day standardized bilberry extract, 12 weeks) demonstrated improvement in ciliary muscle tonic accommodation after VDT tasks. Anthocyanins may penetrate to the ciliary muscle and relieve tension.

Chrysanthemum is a traditional TCM remedy for eye strain from sustained visual effort, and it features in compound preparations clinically used for asthenopia. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of a chrysanthemum-containing botanical formula (n=360) significantly reduced visual fatigue scores over 90 days.

DHA is a structural omega-3 fatty acid found in high concentrations in the retina and is essential for maintaining photoreceptor cell membrane integrity. It has anti-inflammatory properties relevant to the ocular surface dysfunction underlying digital eye strain and dry eye. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis (19 RCTs, 4,246 patients) found omega-3 supplementation (EPA+DHA) significantly improved tear film stability and dry eye symptom scores.

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) improves ocular microcirculation and has been studied for visual fatigue and glaucomatous visual field damage. A retrospective analysis (PMC3429325, n=332 patients) found GBE improved visual function in normal-tension glaucoma patients versus controls. Its flavone glycosides and terpenelactones support blood flow to the optic nerve and retina, which is relevant to fatigue from prolonged screen use.

Lutein accumulates in the macular pigment and filters high-energy visible (blue) light emitted by screens. A 2025 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=70, 6 months, 10 mg/day) published in Frontiers in Nutrition found significant improvements in tear film break-up time, photo-stress recovery time, and the Schirmer tear test in high screen users. A 2017 Nutrients study (24 mg/day, 12 weeks) also reported reduced visual fatigue in healthy adults with high screen exposure.

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) support the tear film and reduce ocular surface inflammation relevant to digital eye strain and dry eye associated with prolonged screen use. A 2023 PMC-published meta-analysis of 19 RCTs (4,246 patients) found significant improvements in tear film break-up time and dry eye symptom scores with omega-3 supplementation. They function via anti-inflammatory eicosanoid modulation and maintenance of meibomian gland lipid composition.

Vitamin A (retinol) is essential for the visual cycle: it is the precursor of 11-cis-retinal, the chromophore of rhodopsin and cone opsins required for phototransduction. Deficiency causes visual dysfunction including night blindness and impaired photoreceptor recovery. In the context of digital eye strain, adequate vitamin A status supports photoreceptor regeneration and tear film mucin production, which is relevant to screen-related ocular surface dysfunction.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is present in high concentrations in the aqueous humor of the eye and serves as a primary antioxidant protecting the lens, cornea, and retina from oxidative damage, including that caused by blue light from screens. It was included as a core ingredient in the NIH's AREDS RCT (500 mg/day), which demonstrated a 25% reduction in AMD progression risk. Vitamin C supports collagen synthesis in the sclera and maintains corneal integrity.

Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects photoreceptor cell membranes from lipid peroxidation caused by oxidative stress, including blue light exposure from digital screens. It was a core component of the NIH AREDS formula (400 IU/day) that demonstrated a ~25% reduction in advanced AMD progression. A meta-analysis has suggested higher vitamin E intake reduces risk of age-related eye disease.

Zeaxanthin is a macular xanthophyll carotenoid that, together with lutein, comprises the macular pigment responsible for filtering blue light from digital screens. The 2025 Frontiers in Nutrition RCT (n=70, 6 months, 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin daily) in high-screen users demonstrated significant improvements in objective tear film and visual recovery measures vs. placebo. Zeaxanthin is the dominant isomer at the foveal center, where visual acuity is most critical.

Zinc is the most abundant trace mineral in the retina and is required for the enzymatic activity of retinal dehydrogenase, which converts vitamin A to retinal for phototransduction. It is a component of the AREDS and AREDS2 formulas, where high-dose zinc (80 mg/day) reduced AMD progression risk by ~25% in a large NIH-sponsored multicenter RCT. Zinc supports retinal metabolism and the visual processing relevant to digital eye fatigue.

Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.) has a centuries-long tradition in European herbal medicine for alleviating eye strain, eye inflammation, and visual fatigue. PeaceHealth notes its historical use for eye fatigue and vision disturbances, though WebMD and the German Commission E monograph indicate clinical evidence remains insufficient. A small human study found eye drops with eyebright improved eye inflammation from strain and irritation in 81% of participants.