“The extent of digital screen exposure and prevalence of computer vision syndrome symptoms in children has raised questions about consequences for the onset and progression of myopia, effects on learning and cognitive development, sleep quality and mental health,” the researchers wrote in the journal Advances in Therapy.
“Studies have shown that astaxanthin crossed the blood retinal barrier, modulated ocular markers of oxidation, supported accommodative function and reduced sensations of eye strain resulting from computer use in adults.”
Building on that science, the current study–led by astaxanthin producer AstaReal and funded by its parent company Fuji Chemical Industries—extended the research to evaluate effects of astaxanthin supplementation on both acute and chronic digital eye strain in school-aged children.
Combating computer vision syndrome
Approximately half of the world’s children and adolescents are affected by computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain. In terms of what qualifies as excessive screen time, the American Optometric Association states that two hours a day is enough to induce symptoms. The AstaReal study cites a survey indicating that 8- to 12-year-olds and 13- to 18-year-olds in America were exposed to an average of 5.5 hours and 8.5 hours of screen time a day, respectively.
While moderation and strategies like taking regular breaks and using blue light-blocking glasses may help reduce the onset of symptoms, the AstaReal study presents astaxanthin (the red-colored carotenoid derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae that it cultivates in Lake Moses, Washington) as strategy to combat free radicals from blue light exposure to protect the eye from the inside out.
It also contrasts astaxanthin with other carotenoids, referencing previous studies reporting that supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin typically require six to nine months to achieve measurable increases in macular pigment optical density (MPOD).
“However, the extended timeframe required for MPOD changes from lutein supplementation is not applicable for astaxanthin, whose effect on MPOD has not been studied,” the researchers wrote. “Unlike lutein, astaxanthin has been shown to accumulate in the ciliary body, located at the front of the eye, highlighting its unique absorption and action profile.”
Study details
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial recruited 64 children from four different centers in India (35 male and 29 female) who used a digital device for four or more hours a day and reported experiencing mild to moderate computer vision syndrome symptoms.
Participants supplemented with a daily 4-mg astaxanthin soft capsule—a dose selected based on previous studies confirming it as the minimum dose for conferring statistically significant change in accommodative function in adults. Regarding the 84-day study period, the researchers noted numerous astaxanthin studies showing improvements in markers of vision and brain function in four to 12 weeks in adults.
Primary outcomes were measured using a computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVS-Q), and 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.
“Astaxanthin supplementation reduced chronic digital eye strain by 20% and acute digital eye strain by 27% compared to placebo after 84 days,” the researchers reported. “For the first time, astaxanthin (AstaReal) supplementation was found to be effective in supporting visual performance in school-aged children experiencing eye strain, with no adverse events reported.”
Objective measures indicated that stereopsis (the visual ability to perceive the world in three dimensions) improved significantly after acute visual load at 28 and 84 days, and pupillary light reflex improved after 84 days. Tear production increased after 14, 56 and 84 days 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.
Source: Advances in Therapy. doi: 10.1007/s12325-025-03125-7. “Astaxanthin (AstaReal®) Improved Acute and Chronic Digital Eye Strain in Children: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial”. Authors: Karen A. Hecht et al.