Bio Island VitaEyes for Children: what it is, what is in it and why eye health is worth thinking about now
Here is what parents need to know about proactive eye health support, and why Bio Island’s VitaEyes for Children is on our list.
TFW you start noticing things
There’s a real moment when you notice something new about your child. The way they squint at the TV, or hold a book a little too close.
“I genuinely didn’t think about it until my ophthalmologist mentioned it. And then I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” Emmy tells us. The Kiindred founder, parenting advocate and mum of three says health is one of those things that tends to stay in the background, right up until something brings it to the front.
And, unlike a sniffle or a temperature, the signs can be easy to miss, especially when children do not always know that what they are experiencing is not normal.
“Kids don’t know what normal looks like,” she says. “If something is blurry, they assume that’s just, well, what everything looks like. They don’t tell you.”
So, how can you support your kids’ eye health?
About Bio Island
Bio Island is an Australian-made family nutrition brand, with products developed to support families across different stages of life.
For parents, the appeal is simple: the products are practical, easy to understand and designed with children in mind. Because when you are standing in the vitamin aisle trying to decode an ingredient list, you want to know what you are reaching for, why it matters and how it fits into the everyday rhythm of family life.
Why children's eye health is worth thinking about now
One in 5 Australian children have an undiagnosed vision problem. Not because the support is not available, children’s eye tests are covered by Medicare at no out-of-pocket cost, but because most parents are not yet thinking about proactive eye health support as part of the regular family health routine.
Children’s eyes continue to develop throughout childhood. And as screen time increases and outdoor time decreases, the demands on young eyes have never been greater.
“Children’s eyes continue to develop throughout childhood, so good nutrition is important for supporting healthy eye development. Regular time outdoors, healthy screen habits and routine eye checks are also important throughout childhood,” says Hannah Smiroldo, Bio Island Product Training Co-Ordinator and Nutritionist (BHSc).
“Nutrition is a team sport, and eye health is no different, as it relies on diverse nutrients in your child’s diet to support overall eye health,” adds Nicolle Regent, Bio Island Customer Relations Manager and Nutritionist (Adv Dip. Nut Medicine).
Bio Island VitaEyes for Children
This is the one for parents who want a comprehensive approach to children’s eye health support in a single, easy daily capsule.
Bio Island VitaEyes for Children contains a comprehensive blend of nutrients, including lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry and linseed oil, a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acid. It also includes vitamin B2, which supports eye health for children and adolescents, and beta carotene, which is preformed vitamin A to support healthy eye development in children.
Six nutrients. One capsule. Here is what each one is doing:
Lutein acts like a pair of internal sunglasses, absorbing high-energy blue light and protecting the delicate cells of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision. Particularly relevant for children who spend time in front of screens.
“Lutein is a naturally occurring carotenoid and antioxidant. Bio Island VitaEyes is suitable for children three years and up and is a convenient way to provide a therapeutic dose of lutein, as well as five other key nutrients specific for supporting healthy eyes in kids,” says Tori Jackson, Bio Island Product Educator and Nutritionist (BHSc, Clinical Nutrition).
Zeaxanthin works alongside lutein in the retina and supports visual processing. There is emerging research in children linking zeaxanthin to attention, memory and processing speed. The connection between eye health and cognitive function is closer than most people realise.
Bilberry is a potent antioxidant that may help protect the retina from oxidative stress and improve blood flow to the tiny capillaries in the eye.
Vitamin A (from beta carotene) supports the eye’s ability to adapt to changes in light and helps maintain the health of the cornea.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) supports retinal function and structure and works as an antioxidant to protect against cell damage.
Linseed Oil is a plant-based source of Omega-3 ALA, which supports the structure and function of the retina and may help alleviate dry eyes. It provides a different form of Omega-3 to fish oil, so the two can complement rather than replace each other.
For a full breakdown of what each ingredient does and why it matters, read our ingredient decoder here.
The dosage
Children aged 3 to 5 years take one capsule daily. Children aged 6 to 18 years take two capsules daily, or as directed by a healthcare professional.
For children under 5 years, cut the capsule tail and squeeze the contents onto a spoon before administering, or squeeze the dosage onto food. Which, for anyone who has tried to convince a toddler to take anything, is a genuinely useful option.
The product contains no dairy, gluten, GMO or preservatives, but as always, be sure to check the label if your child has any sensitivities.
What we love about this one
Most children’s eye health supplements contain three or four active ingredients. VitaEyes for Children contains six, lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry, linseed oil, vitamin A and vitamin B2, working across different levels of the visual system rather than addressing a single concern.
It is also suitable from three years through to eighteen, which means it can grow with your child rather than requiring a product change at every new stage.
The bigger picture
No supplement replaces a varied diet, regular time outdoors or routine eye check-ups. Those things matter and they are worth prioritising alongside any nutritional support.
“Eye health doesn’t have to be something you think about after there’s already a problem. It’s something you can support now,” says Emmy.
And if your kids’ relationship with leafy greens is anything like most households, well. “You’ve got a better chance with the eggs than the greens,” she laughs.
For parents who want to do something practical and consistent for their child’s eye health, VitaEyes for Children is a straightforward, well-formulated place to start.
And also: book the eye test. It is free through Medicare. And while you are there, Bio Island VitaEyes for Children is available at Chemist Warehouse and pharmacy stockists nationally.
Read more this August
- The ingredients in children’s eye supplements: what they actually do
- The children’s eye health questions parents forget to ask
- Your baby’s eyes start forming at week four
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Find Your Bloom, as presented by Bio Island.
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