It is true that lutein is currently receiving spotlight in the stage as an important nutrition for eye protection and other health benefits. Indeed, numerous researches in the past and currently being conducted have been backing up the effectiveness of lutein as a potential health benefitting nutrition.

Before the popularity of lutein, beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, has been regarded as an important nutrition for eyes, as it is important for vision and a direct remedy for night blindness. Anthocyanins, the bioflavonoids found in fruits such as bilberry and blueberry have been believed to be beneficial to vision. Old timers would recognize herbs, including eyebright herb and a few Asian herbs such as Cassia and Eriocaulon as eye-openers. Vitamins including vitamin C and B complex would certainly benefit eye health as well as the entire body and overall health. Phytochemicals in Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts are also known to be beneficial for eyesight thanks to their ability to improve blood circulations to the brain and eyes.

Unlike well-defined single nutritions such as lutein, however, these herbs and phytochemicals are difficult for experimental verification of their anecdotal or alleged health effects. Presumably most of phytonutritions from food, herbs, and dietary supplements would cumulatively benefit not only the eye health, but also the health of entire body, through both specific and general effects.