SCOPE Health Inc. (Scope) announced it has acquired EYETAMINS, a provider of eye health supplements.
First up: Scope.
The Ireland-based international healthcare company was launched in 2009 with a focus on providing products geared toward managing ocular surface disease (OSD) and age-related macular degeneration.
By 2016, the company had launched its OPTASE brand as part of the Scope Health Group with a dry eye management product lineup: eye drops, eye makeup remover, moist heat masks, eyelid wipes, eyelid gel, and dry eye spray, to name a few.
Fast forward to 2020: The company opened its U.S. headquarters in Manhattan, New York.
Now this Eyetamins.
Developed by Kaushal Kulkarni, MD, a board-certified neuro-ophthalmologist, Eyetamins markets itself as the “first natural eye care supplement to directly address the needs of the modern day.”
Its supplements target various vision-related needs, designed to target nutrition and relief for long-term eye health and vision.
Before we get more into that company, talk about this purchase.
Scope noted that its acquisition and integration of Eyetamins will support its goal of providing a “broader range of eyecare products,” with a specific focus on the role of supplements in supporting eye health.
And how will their customers benefit from this?
Two key ways, per Scope:
- Enhanced product offerings
- Giving consumers more products and services between Scope’s Optase portfolio and Eyetamin brands
- Improved customer experience
- Primarily via both customer support and service quality
“This acquisition will further strengthen our ability to serve our customer's needs, as supplementation was the missing link in our Optase portfolio,” stated Scope CEO Tome Freyne.
Any financials available?
Nope, not currently.
Alrighty, now back to Eyetamins. How does it tailor its products to customers?
Eyetamins features a “find your formula” questionnaire on its website that enables consumers to narrow down which supplements will work best based on their individual vision needs.
Among the questions asked includes zeroing in on a patient’s:
- Age
- Daily screen time
- Current dry eye-related symptoms (headaches, strained eyes, etc.)
- Daily average of vegetable and fruit consumption
- Weekly average hours of exercise
*To note: This is not a comprehensive list of questions asked.
And its products?
Manufactured in the United States, the company’s line of supplements includes four products marketed for dry eye, eye health, brain health, and visual performance—plus blue light-filtering nutrients* for two of the four:
See here for pricing options.
And their formulas?
The ingredient list for these supplements is advertised as free of dairy, peanut tree nut, wheat, gluten, and soy, as well as fish products. Among the active ingredients are nutrients such as:
- Lutein and zeaxanthin
- Plant extracts naturally found within the macula; help to maintain eye health and prevent ophthalmic diseases
- Vitamins C & E
- Vitamin C: Helps to maintain collagen in the eye’s cornea and promotes the health of the retina’s capillaries
- Vitamin E: Via alpha-tocopherol (a form of Vitamin E), contains strong antioxidant properties for protecting RPE cells from oxidative damage
- European bilberry
- Antioxidant-rich and clinically found to assist in preventing retinal inflammation
- Zinc
- Mineral found in the eye; contains wound-healing properties and has been found to be necessary for pediatric neuropsychologic and motor development
Other active ingredients include sea buckthorn seed and fruit oils—which contain strong nutrients and antioxidants superior to Vitamin C as well as concentrations of Omega 7, respectively, to promote eye moisture.
Any other specific ingredients to know about?
Yes ... the Vision Support supplements actually feature a formula containing ingredients that were studied by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) for macular degeneration patients.
Those ingredients: Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids.
Plus: The Blue Blocker gummies include Lutemax 2020 ingredients, which—notably—have been found to support a 44% improvement in glare and 33% photostress recovery.
And who are the target patients for these?
Ideally, anyone experiencing dry eyes—including as a result of digital eye strain (DES).
As recent research has highlighted, over 50% of patients have reported spending an average of 6+ hours a day on digital devices, followed by 41% watching television and 39% using their laptop.
Also in that survey, a reported seven in 10 patients noted experiencing DES-related symptoms.
Gotcha. So how long does it take to see results with these supplements?
Eyetamins reported consumers seeing results in less than 2 months of daily use. However, clinical research (see the next section) has notably found it may take up to 3 months, according to the company.
Note: The company emphasizes that its products are intended to support a consumer’s overall eye health—not diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.
Speaking of clinical data …
All active ingredients incorporated in the Eyetamins products are reportedly based on a number of clinical research (peer-reviewed studies) supporting their efficacy on overall eye health.
And on a regulatory note: Are these FDA-approved?
Eyetamins refers to each of its supplements as those with labeling and claims that are regulated by FDA and FTC guidelines.
“Our manufacturing facilities are also certified by the FDA as (good manufacturing practice) GMP compliant,” the company stated. “However, this is not a drug and is not approved by the FDA to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.”
Now to product availability: Where can these be purchased?
The supplements will continue to be available via the Eyetamins online shop.
And in the coming months, they’ll be purchasable via Amazon—with consumers expected to “see more and more connection between Eyetamins/Scope and Optase.”
As always, stay tuned for more details!