Seeing Clearly Again: How VitroCap-N Supplements May Help with Bothersome Eye Floaters

If you have ever noticed squiggly lines or dark spots drifting across your vision, you’re not alone. These are called floaters. Floaters are usually harmless, however they can be incredibly frustrating, especially when they interfere with reading, driving, or simply enjoying clear vision.

A new supplement called VitroCap-N is scientifically designed to support the health of the vitreous body, the gel-like collagen substance inside the eye that often breaks down with age. A gradual deterioration of the vitreous can lead to clumps of debris forming that cast a shadow on the retina – creating ‘floaters’. Instead of resorting to invasive options like ocular surgery, that carry risks of infection and cataract formation, many people are now turning to nutritional support as a first line of management. 

VitroCap-N includes a unique blend of active ingredients including L-Lysine, Vitamin C, Citrus Bioflavonoids, Grape Seed Extract, and Zinc. Together, these important compounds work to stabilise collagen and protect the eye from oxidative stress. Both of which are key to maintaining healthy eyes and reducing the appearance of floaters.

VitroCap-N is backed by clinical trials; the latest in 2021—Ankamah et al’s FLIES study, (accurately named given that many patients report they feel like they are seeing small insects zooming around in their sight!), was a trial of 61 patients aged 18–79. After six months of daily VitroCap-N use, participants reported significant improvements in visual comfort, floaters, and contrast sensitivity. 77% experienced reduced floaters, and 67% saw improved vision-related quality of life. The product was also safe and easy to use.

An image into the back of someone’s eye, showing a bothersome central vitreous floater causing vision blur.

At Bay Eye Care we can use imaging tools and diagnostic equipment during your appointment to confirm the presence of vitreous floaters, and we have VitroCap-N available over-the-counter for immediate use if indicated. VitroCap-N is quickly becoming a go-to for those seeking a non-invasive, evidence-based approach to bothersome floaters and clearer vision. If you’re tired of floaters interrupting your view, it may be time to explore what VitroCap-N can do for your eye health. Please get in touch or book online to arrange an assessment here at the clinic.

by Mr Aidan Quinlan, Optometrist, Bay Eye Care.

Local school screening program for blinding eye condition Keratoconus being rolled out

Keratoconus is a blinding condition affecting 1 in every 45 Maori and Pacifica children, as well as many Asian and European children too. A 30 minute treatment stops it progressing but can not reverse the damage done. Many patients with keratoconus see us at Bay Eye Care to rehabilitate their vision with complex specialty contact lenses, as their condition has unfortunately already progressed to a level that that they can’t see and function normally with standard vision correction lenses.

Local ophthalmologist and colleague of Bay Eye Care, Dr Colin Parsloe, has started a programme to screen school-aged children for the condition before they start to lose vision, so that timely preventative corneal cross-linking treatment can stop their eyes from deteriorating.

He has started a not-for-profit group Cone.org.nz to raise awareness about keratoconus, screen children for keratoconus, and arrange treatment for them in the public system.

Please visit the website cone.org.nz to learn more and to support this important venture.

Bay Of Plenty Times have written an article about one of Dr Parsloe’s patients who had a late diagnosis of keratoconus and the complications that followed, highlighting the importance of early detection. Read this here.

Lipiflow thermal pulsation therapy for dry eye now available at Bay Eye Care!

We are excited to announce that Lipiflow dry-eye therapy is now available in Tauranga. Our Bay Eye Care optometrists have had the device delivered and set-up and have completed thorough training with Johnson + Johnson’s Sydney based expert, meaning this technology is ready and available for patients in 2025.

The Bay Eye Care team, along with J+J surgical support manager Angela, undergoing training with our new Lipiflow device.

Lipiflow is an exciting addition to our suite of dry eye treatments, to complement IPL and other more conservative dry eye treatments. The Lipiflow thermal pulsation system is a novel in-clinic treatment which uses a sterile single-use activator device sitting gently over your eyelids. During a single 12 minute session the activator internally heats the meibomian gland structures, while simultaneously massaging the exterior lid to express any stubborn, blocked oils from the glands. This improves tear film stability and volume, thereby helping the dry eye symptoms of pain, grittiness, redness or poor vision.

Watch this short video narrated by our principal optometrist Mr Alex Petty, showing the Lipiflow device in action as Bay Eye Care’s other optometrist Mr Aidan Quinlan, a dry eye sufferer himself, undergoes his treatment!

To learn more about Lipiflow visit our information page here, or book a dry eye assessment to see if Lipiflow is right for you.

Bay Eye Care optometrist Mr Aidan Quinlan describes his experience during Lipiflow treatment for dry eye.