If you recall your mother trying to bait you to eat more carrots when you were younger, you may wonder, does diet really affect my vision? Many factors can affect your vision including age, gender, lifestyle, environment and yes, diet. While many age related eye diseases such as cataracts or macular degeneration affect adults, good nutrition can help to offset or delay these changes. Keeping track of your eye health with annual exams, avoiding blue light and UV light and refraining from smoking can also contribute to better eye health.
Good nutrition and diet is always a reoccurring theme that factors towards a person’s general health and success. It has almost endless benefits with healthy eyesight included. As we are generally aware, diets high in saturated fats and sugar increase cholesterol and your risk of heart attack and stroke along with eye disease. At the same time, diets that include fruits and vegetables can help to prevent many health issues. Studies have shown that cataracts and macular degeneration are found to appear less in those who include vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids.
List Of Foods That Help Eyesight:
Fish
Dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale
Eggs
Whole grains
Carrots, squash, corn, peas, broccoli
Legumes
Nuts
Eyesight And Diet
Healthy fats, specifically the omega-3 fatty acid that can be found in fish, walnuts, flaxseed oil and canola oil can fight against dry eyes and cataracts. Including fish in your diet a couple of times a week, snacking on nuts and cooking with flaxseed or canola oil can contribute to better eye health and health overall.
Including orange colored fruits in the diet for eyesight improvement and clear eye vision containing high amounts of beta-carotene and Vitamin A will improve night vision. Some of these orange colored fruits are peaches, mangos, oranges, tangerines and sweet potatoes.
To guard against UV light, lutein and zeaxanthin are known to help protect the retina and can be found in leafy greens including spinach and kale. Broccoli, corn and peas are also known sources. Staying away from sodium can help to avoid cataracts. Incorporating as many fresh, whole foods and staying away from canned or packaged foods can help. Staying hydrated with water, 100% fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas, and low fat dairy can also help to reduce dry, irritated eyes.
By making a couple of small changes or adding more healthy choices to your diet, healthy eyesight can be retained and many eye related diseases prevented, in addition to positive health overall. If you plan to include vitamins, minerals or supplements, it is best to check in with your eye doctor first.
For tips or a consultation about your eyesight and how it can relate your diet and to schedule an appointment contact us today at 561-798-0244.