Eating healthy can help promote overall healthy eyes!

Cataracts are still the leading cause of blindness around the country, while glaucoma and macular degeneration come in a close second and third. These diseases can be treated or slowed by having a routine comprehensive eye exam from Geist Optometrist Dr. Amy Walden and Associates. However, wouldn’t it be nice to be proactive and take care of our eyes by adding certain foods to your diet?

Everyone has heard that carrots are a great source of Beta-carotene, which can help promote overall eye health. Beta-carotene has a source of vitamin A, which is an important nutrient for eye health. Lack of Vitamin A can also lead to different eye diseases that can cause eyes to longer produce tears, dryness in the eyes, and swollen eyelids. Vitamin A also can prevent the formation of cataracts and macular degeneration. Although vitamin A is a great vitamin to add to your diet, there are other vitamins and minerals that are essential for the health of your eyes. There are many foods that contain these nutrients to help protect your eyes against sight-threatening diseases. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

8 Foods That Help Your Eye Health

Eggs

• Source of zeaxanthin
• Source of zinc
• Reduces risk of age-related macular degeneration
• Promotes protection against night blindness
• Promotes against dry eyes

Leafy Greens

Food Sources (Kale, Romaine, Collard Greens, and Spinach)

• Source of lutein
• Source of zeaxanthin
• Lower the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration
• Lowers the risk of cataracts

Wheat Germ

Foods (Almonds, sunflower seeds and hazelnuts)

• Great source of Vitamin E
• Slows down age-related macular degeneration
• Decrease the progression of cataracts

One handful, provides about half of your daily dosage of vitamin E.

Citrus and Berries

Food Sources (Oranges, lemons, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries)

• Great source of vitamin C
• Reduces risk of age-related macular degeneration
• Reduces risk of cataracts

Fatty Fish

Food Sources (Tuna, anchovies, salmon and trout)

• Rich in DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid)
• Helps prevent dry eye syndrome

Sweet Potato

• Source of beta carotene
• Helps the eyes adjust to low levels of light at night
• Decreases the risk of macular degeneration

Broccoli

• Source of zeaxanthin
• Source of lutein
• Vitamin C
• Reduces risk of age-related macular degeneration
• Reduces the progress of vision loss
• Protects the retina from the sun’s rays

Legumes

Food Sources (Chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils and black-eyed peas)

• Great source of zinc
• Helps release vitamin A from the liver
• Slows down age-related macular degeneration
• Reduces the progress of vision loss

Not only do these vitamins and minerals protect your eyes, but check out these other health benefits

Vitamin A Benefits

• Bone growth
• Keeps your immune system strong (fights off pink eye symptoms and other infections)
• Helps maintain healthy skin

Vitamin C Benefits

• Protect you from heart disease
• Helps prevent a variety of cancers
• Strengthens your immune system

Zeaxanthin and Lutein Benefits

• Skin health
• Protects against atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty deposits in arteries)

Vitamin E

• Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
• Prevent certain types of cancer

Zinc

• Skin health
• Strong impact of cognitive function
• Decreases the severity of the common cold
• Helps in preventing prostate Diseases

DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid)

• Brain and nervous system development and function
• Helps maintain normal triglyceride levels, heart rate and blood pressure

Visit Your Geist Optometrist to Learn More

Although all of these foods help to protect or prevent eye diseases, it is still imperative to have a yearly comprehensive eye exam  with your Geist Optometrist Dr. Amy Walden & Associates.  All of these eye diseases can be detected early and some may not even show any warning signs. Please visit our site to schedule your appointment today with one of our doctors today!