We’ve been told for years that eating carrots will improve our vision, but the Vitamin A in this vegetable isn’t the only natural defense against eye disease. The following list of nutrients, some lesser known than others from eye doctor Indio, are welcome additions to any diet and in tandem with regular eye exams, will go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy.
VITAMIN A
What it does: Improves the surface of the eye, mucous membranes and skin’s ability to be effective barriers to bacteria and viruses, reducing the risk of infections, according to eye doctor Indio CA.
Where to find it: Potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens, winter squashes, lettuce, dried apricots, cantaloupe, bell peppers, fish. If you have questions, consult an eye doctor Indio.
VITAMIN C
What it does: Eye doctor Indio studies suggest long-term consumption of vitamin C may reduce the risk of cataracts and vision loss from macular degeneration. It also plays a role in maintaining the connective tissue of the cornea.
Where to find it: Melons, broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, strawberries, watermelon.
VITAMIN E
What it does: Studies suggest long-term consumption of vitamin C also may reduce the risk of cataracts and vision loss from macular degeneration, according to eye doctor Indio CA. It also plays a role in maintaining the connective tissue of the cornea.
Where to find it: Almond, spinach, avocado, sweet potatoes, avocado, wheat germ, butternut squash, wheat germ oil, or consult an eye doctor Indio.
ZINC
What it does: High levels of zinc are present in the macula. Zinc also helps Vitamin A create a pigment called melanin, which protects your eye. Though zinc deficiency makes seeing at night more difficult, zinc supplementation does not necessarily help you see better at night. There is some evidence from eye doctor Indio CA, however, that zinc supplements slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Where to find it: Red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, pumpkin seeds.
SUPPLEMENTS
LUTEIN AND ZEAXANTHIN: Eye doctor Indio CA says Lutein is one of only 20 carotenoids to be delivered directly to the macula, according to eye doctor Indio. These antioxidants combat free radical damage to the cells of the eye caused by blue light exposure and UV sun damage, according to eye doctor Indio CA. Damage from these sources has been linked to a loss in the quality of vision as well as degenerative diseases of the eye such as cataracts.
BILBERRY: Bilberry is a fruit that gained notoriety during World War II. British pilots would ingest bilberry jam and were believed to go battle with devastating accuracy during the evenings, when visibility was compromised. As a supplement, according to eye doctor Indio, Bilberry has been used to protect the retina from free radical damage and is sometimes suggested to help manage retinopathy.
While it may be helpful in preventing other degenerative diseases such as glaucoma or cataracts, it has not been sufficiently studied and improvements in night vision are mostly anecdotal. If you have any questions or have concerns, you should consult an Acuity Optical eye doctor Indio CA immediately.