New Study Reveal: 6-Month Clinical Data on AstaReal® Astaxanthin for Paediatric Digital Eye Syndrome

In an era dominated by digital learning and entertainment, Digital Eye Syndrome (DES)—also known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)—has escalated into a global public health concern. While the adult population has been the primary focus of historical data regarding visual fatigue mitigation, a critical need gap exists for paediatric populations. Children are uniquely vulnerable; research indicates that every additional hour of daily screen time elevates myopia risk by 21%, with onset typically peaking between the ages of 6 and 14.

Traditional interventions like ergonomic adjustments and optical aids often yield only partial relief. To address this, a groundbreaking clinical study conducted by the Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI) at Universiti Sains Malaysia investigated the long-term therapeutic potential of nutritional intervention in children.

The Study at a Glance

At the 20th International Symposium on Carotenoids, Dr. Lai Kuan Lee presented this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial which evaluated 71 school-aged children (10–11 years old) presenting with mild-to-moderate DES. Participants were administered either a daily dose of 4mg of natural astaxanthin (AstaReal®) or a placebo over a 6-month duration.

The longitudinal data revealed statistically significant improvements across both subjective symptom questionnaires and objective ophthalmic biomarkers.

Key Clinical Outcomes at 6 Months

The diverging trajectories between the active and placebo groups became increasingly pronounced over the 6-month timeline, highlighting a sustained treatment response:

• Symptom Reduction: Digital eye strain, measured via the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q), was reduced significantly by 26% compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05).

• Myopia Progression Deceleration: Objective measurements of spherical equivalence demonstrated an 8% improvement in the left eye (p < 0.01) and a 19% improvement in the right eye (p < 0.01) against the placebo, suggesting a novel role for astaxanthin in supporting refractive stability.

• Accommodative Support: The amplitude of accommodation improved significantly (15% left eye, p < 0.01; 12% right eye, p < 0.05), indicating enhanced ciliary muscle function and reduced accommodative fatigue.

• Ocular Surface Integrity: Tear-film stability increased substantially by 32% in the left eye and 17% in the right eye (p < 0.01), offering vital relief from digital-induced dry eye.

• Visual Acuity: Significant pinhole visual acuity improvements were captured as early as 3 months and sustained through month 6, with an 89% improvement in the right eye and 87% in the left eye (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: A New Standard for Paediatric Ocular Formulations

Notably, the trial reported exceptionally high safety, tolerability, and compliance rates throughout the 6-month period, solidifying 4mg of AstaReal® astaxanthin as a practical, long-term therapeutic strategy for school-aged children. Results of the trial aims to be published later in the year.

Beyond merely alleviating visual fatigue caused by screen exposure, this landmark study establishes that natural astaxanthin may provide comprehensive, dual-action support: optimizing ocular surface comfort while simultaneously protecting long-term refractive stability.

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If you are looking to develop the next generation of paediatric vision supplements backed by award-winning gold-standard clinical science download the latest flyer on and contact AstaReal today to explore how AstaReal® Astaxanthin can elevate your product line.

Declaration

This study was conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia at the Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI) and funded by Fuji Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., and AstaReal Pte Ltd.