Best Foods For Eye Health

Food is the number one cure for most ailments, including the eyes. Eating the right foods can help to reduce eye strain, improve vision, and protect your eyes from age-related diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. 

If you're wondering which types of foods you can eat to improve your eye health, CV Optometry provides a few that are worth looking into:

1. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, are packed full of nutrients, including lutein and zeaxanthin, which help to protect the eyes from harmful UV rays. They also contain vitamin A, which is essential for night vision. If you eat dark, leafy vegetables, you'll have long-term protection against eye issues such as cataracts and AMD.

2. Salmon

Deepwater fish like salmon are high in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help to reduce the risk of age-related vision loss and can improve the overall health of your eyes. They help keep the retina healthy and restore dry eyes. Other good fish aside from salmon include tuna, mackerel, and sardines. 

3. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of vitamin A, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which help to protect the eyes from damage done by UV rays. Eating eggs can also slow down the progression of AMD and cataracts due to the high amount of antioxidants found in them. The nutrients found in the yellow-orange egg yolk are especially beneficial for protecting your eyes from blue light.

4. Nuts & Seeds

Snacking on nuts and seeds provides a great source of vitamin E, which helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Nuts, such as almonds, are also high in zinc which can help to reduce the risk of various eye problems. Eating a handful of nuts a day is a great way to get your daily dose of eye-health-friendly nutrients. 

5. Carrots

CV Optometry recommends that you make carrots a regular part of your diet. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the eyes from macular degeneration and cataracts. Beta-carotene can also help improve night vision, so if you have difficulty seeing in the dark, you might be lacking in this nutrient. Eating more carrots will definitely help improve the situation.

6. Red Pepper

Vitamin C in raw red peppers is another important nutrient for eye health. Eating red peppers can help protect your eyes from age-related vision problems. Vitamin C also helps to reduce inflammation around the eyes, which can often lead to dryness. Ensure you eat raw red peppers to get the benefits, as vitamin C can be lost during cooking. 

7. Lean Meat and Poultry

Lean meat and poultry have an essential mineral called zinc which is important for vision health. Eating more foods high in zinc will help to protect your eyes from age-related problems such as AMD, glaucoma, and cataracts. Zinc can be found in other sources aside from meat and poultry, but it's important to make sure you're getting enough of this nutrient daily.