In Covid-affected 2021, three BOptom students joined the OSL team to explore the effects of an oral astaxanthin (AXT)-based supplement under the supervision of Professor Jennifer Craig, Dr Alex Muntz and myself. The team recruited 30 participants with mild-to-moderate dry eye disease (DED), who took two capsules/day (12mg AXT total) of the supplement for 90 days.
AXT is a red-pigmented marine carotenoid closely related to lutein and zeaxanthin1 and farmed from the freshwater microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. Its unique molecular structure allows it to span cell membranes, which is understood to confer significant medical advantages, especially when targeting inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative damage2. A number of studies have shown AXT potentially offers protection against a number of ocular diseases including dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma3. Because DED involves an ocular surface inflammatory component4, we wanted to know whether the oral AXT-based capsule might reduce signs and symptoms of DED.
Asta Supreme Advanced Vision Care is marketed as a nutraceutical for AMD patients. Table 1 lists the capsule contents. Although AXT is a key ingredient, the complex nature of the product precludes attributing any benefits solely to AXT.
Study method
After becoming proficient in the use of the Oculus Keratograph K5, slit lamp techniques and administration of dry eye questionnaires, the OSL AXT research students gathered objective and subjective data over three months in the form of in-clinic baseline testing at day 0 and re-testing at day 90. Electronic DED questionnaires were also completed at days 0, 30, 60 and 90. Parametric and non-parametric data analysis allowed comparisons of quantitative and qualitative measures obtained at different timepoints of the study. Tables 2 and 3 summarise the study parameters measured.
