Dr. Bridgitte Shen Lee

Congratulations to Dr. Rolando Toyos and the planning committee on a very successful inaugural Dry Eye Society of the Americas ( ) meeting in NYC! On Saturday July 11, 32 topics on ocular surface and dry eye disease, nutrition and longevity were shared by passionate researchers, innovators, thought leaders, and clinicians from around the world. We all enjoyed learning across specialties, sharing ideas, and meeting new friends.

Thank you to all the industry sponsors for your support!

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May is Healthy Vision Month!

Established in May 2003 by the National Eye Institute (NEI), this nationwide campaign raises awareness about the importance of scheduling routine eye exams, preventing avoidable vision loss, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits that protect long-term eye health. At our clinic, Vision Optique, evidence-based nutritional supplements are part of the daily conversation with our patients.

This new open-access review in Clinical Ophthalmology - “B Vitamins and Ocular Health” by Johnson, Poteet, Gioia, Maharaj, Benitez-del-Castillo, and Labetoulle - is an informative summary of the role of B Vitamins and eye health protection. The article offers patient-conversation reference, and helpful context for why a B-complex was added to the new PreserVision AREDS3 formula.

B vitamins (B1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12) are crucial for ocular health. They support mitochondrial function, regulate homocysteine levels, and protect the optic nerve. Specific benefits include reducing Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) risks, alleviating Dry Eye Disease (DED) symptoms, slowing cataract progression, and maintaining corneal health.

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Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common ocular diseases in the US. It affects ~17% of US individuals >40 years of age, and it accounts for 15–20% of global blindness. Left untreated, it is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults.

The original AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) vitamin formulation was published by the National Eye Institute (NEI) in 2001. Since then, new formulations based on subsequent research have been developed and brought to market with AREDS2 (August 2013), and AREDS3 (May 2026).

The new AREDS3 is a next generation formula for more complete AMD management that includes a B-Vitamin complex. Evidence to date supports B vitamins’ role in enhancing oxidative stress protection, cellular metabolism and healthy homocysteine levels, reducing the risk of visually significant AMD and early AMD.

These two open-access articles are a great read on overview of AMD and role of nutriceuticals, especially the addition of B-vitamin complex.

1. “Role of B Vitamins in Preventing the Development and Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration”

Drs. Poteet, Koetting, and Vakharia in Ophthalmology and Therapy. They review more than two decades of evidence on B vitamins and AMD — including the 34% risk reduction seen in the WAFACS RCT with B6/B9/B12. The mechanistic discussion of homocysteine and the RPE is especially well done, and it’s exciting to see this science now translated into the new PreserVision AREDS3 formulation.

2. “AREDS3 and multivitamin coadministration: practical safety, rationale, and clinical guidance for eye care professionals”

Drs. Poteet, Quint, and Kannarr in Optometry 360. This article on AREDS3 + multivitamin coadministration offers excellent references: clear nutrient-level safety considerations, a side-by-side with Centrum Silver, and a structured 4-step counseling approach.

Grateful to my mother and to be mama to my daughters ❤️
Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers and motherly figures who shape our families and communities with your patience, dedication, sacrifice, joy and unconditional love 💕

Photos with my daughters are from our spring break trip to the “Avatar Mountains” in ZhangJiaJie, China.