Nutrition and Eye Diseases

Do you watch your health and take care of your eyes by regularly visiting your optometrist? Kudos! Did you know that certain vitamins and nutrients can help you take better care of yourself? At mealtime, snacktime or for desert you can help protect your eyes while delighting your senses! Let’s take a look at your eye’s must-have foods! Vitamin A Why? Vitamin A contributes to proper retinal functioning. The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye. Vitamin A also helps improve night-vision and reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Eggs, liver, cabbage and milk are high in Vitamin A. Furthermore, your body converts the beta-carotene found in carrots to Vitamin A! Vitamin B2 Also known as riboflavin, this nutrient helps prevent eye fatigue and contributes to night vision. Maintaining eye tissue, Vitamin B2 also helps prevent cataracts. Enjoy B2 in asparagus, bananas and popcorn. Vitamin C There are high concentrations of Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, in the crystalline. Make sure you get enough Vitamin C in your diet to avoid cataracts. You can find Vitamin C in citrus, kiwis and peppers. Vitamin E Studies suggest that this major antioxidant is an effective agent against ADM and the formation of cataracts. Make sure you get enough sunflower oil, olive oil, nuts and tuna. Oméga-3 These fatty acids are increasingly recognized for their health benefits. As part of the substances that make up several membranes of the eye, omega-3 helps reduce the risk of developing ADM and helps alleviate dry eyes. You can get your Omega-3 from algae, salmon, ground flaxseed, fatty fish and nuts. Sélénium This nutrient is known to protect the body against the effects of free radicals. By respecting the recommended dosage, it helps guard against ADM. So eat plenty of oysters, salmon, tuna and shiitake mushrooms. Lutéin Present in the retina’s macula, lutein is an effective antioxidant. It filters harmful blue rays and contributes to the prevention of cataracts and ADM. Lutein can be found in spinach, green cabbage, broccoli, mangos and egg yolks. Zeaxanthin This lutein derivative accumulates in the retina’s macula and filters some ultraviolet and blue rays and also eliminates free radicals. Zeaxanthin can be found in orange juice, spinach and eggs.