NOW Lutein & Zeaxanthin is one of the most widely sold eye supplements around, and the reason is simple: it packs a big dose of two carotenoids into one softgel at a low price. Performance Lab Vision takes a different route, pairing a moderate carotenoid dose with astaxanthin, saffron, bilberry, and blackcurrant in a vegan capsule.
Neither product is an AREDS2 formula. Both are designed for everyday eye nutrition. Here is how they compare, with the numbers laid out honestly on both sides.
Performance Lab Vision vs NOW Lutein & Zeaxanthin at a Glance
| Feature | Performance Lab Vision | NOW Lutein & Zeaxanthin |
|---|---|---|
| Lutein | 10 mg | 25 mg |
| Zeaxanthin | 2 mg | 5 mg |
| Lutein plus zeaxanthin | 12 mg | 30 mg |
| Astaxanthin | 4 mg | None |
| Saffron | 10 mg | None |
| Bilberry extract | 25 mg | None |
| Blackcurrant | 300 mg freeze-dried fruit plus 25 mg extract | None |
| Capsule type | Vegan pullulan capsule | Bovine gelatin softgel |
| Vegan | Yes | No |
| Other ingredients | Rice concentrate (flow agent) | Sunflower oil, glycerin, mixed tocopherols from soy oil |
| Capsules per bottle | 30 | 60 |
| Cost per day | About $1.63 one time, $1.23 on subscription | About $0.32 to $0.38 |
What Is in Performance Lab Vision
Vision delivers six research-backed ingredients in one daily capsule:
- Lutein, 10 mg, and zeaxanthin, 2 mg, from marigold flower extract
- Astaxanthin, 4 mg, from Haematococcus pluvialis algae
- European bilberry extract, 25 mg, standardized to 25% anthocyanosides
- European blackcurrant, 300 mg freeze-dried fruit plus 25 mg extract (25% anthocyanins)
- Saffron, 10 mg, standardized to 0.3% safranal
The capsule is a plant-based pullulan shell, and the only other ingredient is a rice concentrate that acts as a flow agent. Performance Lab lists Vision as non-GMO and free of soy, gluten, and common allergens, and says it is third-party tested for purity and potency.
What Is in NOW Lutein & Zeaxanthin
NOW keeps the active formula to two ingredients: 25 mg of lutein and 5 mg of zeaxanthin per softgel, both from marigold flower extract in the form of Lutemax 2020. The other ingredients are sunflower oil, mixed tocopherols derived from non-GMO soy oil, and a softgel shell made from bovine gelatin, glycerin, and water. The label directs one softgel a day with a fat-containing meal, and a bottle holds 60 softgels.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Dose: Where NOW Is Stronger
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the pigments that collect in the macula, the center of the retina, where they absorb blue light. Researchers call them macular carotenoids. A six-month trial in adults with heavy screen time linked supplementation to higher macular pigment density and less eye strain, fatigue, and headache frequency, according to a summary from the American Optometric Association, and the supplement used was reported to be Lutemax 2020, the same branded marigold extract that appears on NOW’s label.
That trial used 24 mg a day. NOW delivers 30 mg, while Vision delivers 12 mg. If your top priority is the highest possible dose of lutein and zeaxanthin, NOW provides it, and that is worth knowing. Vision makes a different bet: a moderate carotenoid dose paired with other eye-focused ingredients in the same capsule.
For reference, the AREDS2 research formula uses 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin plus vitamins and minerals, according to the National Eye Institute. NOW is not an AREDS2 formula, since it has no vitamins or minerals and uses much higher carotenoid amounts. Vision is not an AREDS2 formula either.
What Vision Adds Beyond Lutein and Zeaxanthin
NOW contains no other active ingredients. Vision adds four more: 4 mg of astaxanthin, 10 mg of saffron, 25 mg of bilberry extract, and blackcurrant in two forms, whole freeze-dried fruit and a standardized extract. Each has its own dose printed on the label.
If you think of eye nutrition as more than two carotenoids, this is where Vision earns its place. It covers a wider set of ingredients in one daily capsule, so you do not need to buy and take separate bottles to get them.
Vegan Capsule vs Bovine Gelatin Softgel
Vision uses NutriCaps, a prebiotic pullulan capsule made from fermented tapioca. It is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and it is free of soy, gluten, synthetic additives, artificial colors, and preservatives.
NOW uses a softgel made from bovine gelatin, so it is not vegan or vegetarian. Its mixed tocopherols come from soy oil, which matters if you avoid soy. If you follow a plant-based diet or want to avoid animal-derived and soy-derived ingredients, Vision fits without any workaround.
Price Per Day: NOW vs Vision
NOW is the lower-priced product by a wide margin. A 60-softgel bottle runs roughly $19 to $23 depending on the retailer, which works out to about $0.32 to $0.38 a day. Vision is $49 for 30 capsules, about $1.63 a day as a one-time purchase. On Performance Lab’s smart subscription it drops to $36.75 a bottle, about $1.23 a day, with free shipping and 25% off every recurring order. Performance Lab also advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NOW is clearly the budget pick. The extra cost with Vision buys four additional ingredients and a vegan capsule in the same single daily dose.
Who Should Choose Performance Lab Vision
Vision is the better fit if you:
- Want astaxanthin, saffron, bilberry, and blackcurrant in the same capsule as lutein and zeaxanthin
- Follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, or avoid gelatin and soy-derived ingredients
- Prefer one capsule with every ingredient and dose printed on the label over a single-purpose softgel
- Want a 30-day money-back guarantee and subscription savings
NOW may suit you if you want the highest lutein and zeaxanthin dose at the lowest daily cost and are comfortable with a gelatin softgel.
Final Verdict on Vision vs NOW
NOW wins on carotenoid dose and price, and it is a straightforward product for people who want those two nutrients and nothing else. Performance Lab Vision is the complete everyday eye formula: a moderate dose of lutein and zeaxanthin, plus astaxanthin, saffron, bilberry, and blackcurrant, in a vegan, soy-free capsule that is third-party tested.
For most people who want broader eye nutrition from one clean capsule, Performance Lab Vision is the better fit. You can see the full Performance Lab Vision formula and current pricing here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vision and NOW Lutein & Zeaxanthin
Which Has More Lutein and Zeaxanthin?
NOW has more. It provides 25 mg of lutein and 5 mg of zeaxanthin, while Vision provides 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin.
What Does Vision Have That NOW Does Not?
Vision adds 4 mg of astaxanthin, 10 mg of saffron, 25 mg of bilberry extract, and blackcurrant in whole freeze-dried and extract forms. NOW contains only lutein and zeaxanthin.
Is NOW Lutein & Zeaxanthin or Performance Lab Vision an AREDS2 Formula?
No. It contains none of the AREDS2 vitamins and minerals and uses higher lutein and zeaxanthin amounts than the AREDS2 formula. Vision is not an AREDS2 formula either. If you have been diagnosed with a macular condition, talk with your eye doctor before choosing an eye supplement.
Is NOW Lutein & Zeaxanthin Vegan?
No. The softgel shell is made from bovine gelatin. Vision uses a plant-based pullulan capsule and is suitable for vegans.
Which Costs Less per Day?
NOW does, at about $0.32 to $0.38 a day depending on the retailer. Vision is about $1.63 a day as a one-time purchase and about $1.23 a day on Performance Lab’s smart subscription.
Should I Take Vision and NOW Together?
There is no need to. Vision already contains lutein and zeaxanthin, so taking both would raise your totals to 35 mg of lutein and 7 mg of zeaxanthin. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining eye supplements, especially if you take medication, are pregnant, or are nursing.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Vision and NOW Lutein & Zeaxanthin are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for information only and is not medical advice.
