Cataracts and macular degeneration are two common eye diseases that typically come with age and affect your vision. While treatment varies, the nutrients that you include in your diet play a large role in preventing the development of these conditions. While aging is inevitable, failing eyesight does not always have to be. Consider modifying your diet to include more nutrients as a way of eating for your eyes. By knowing what antioxidant vitamins and minerals your body needs, you can better include the best foods for your eye health in your daily intake.
A good foundation for preventing eye disease is incorporating specific vitamins into your diet. The first step in improving your diet for healthier vision is knowing what nutrients you need and where you can get them. At Forsight, we recommend eating foods containing the following:
Antioxidants are essential to your vision as the back lining of the eyes, called the retina, relies on vitamin a to turn light into an image. The cells that convert the light you see into an image rely heavily on vitamin a. Also, if you suffer from dry eye, then you may need to increase your vitamins a in your diet because it is known to keep the surface of the eye more hydrated. When you think vitamin a, think orange colored fruits. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and cantaloupe are just a few options to get more vitamin a into your diet.
Antioxidants are key to preventing or delaying age-related macular degeneration (amd) and cataracts, and vitamin c is a great source. Citrus fruits, red bell peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries are all great snack options to up your vitamin c intake.
Like vitamin a and c, vitamin e is another important antioxidant. Avocados, almonds, and sunflower seeds are perfect for consuming more vitamin e.
Including omega-3 fatty acids into your diet is beneficial because the retina of your eye already contains a high concentration of them, protecting it from damage and degeneration. The american diet is high in foods that increase inflammation in the body and is low in anti-inflammatory foods. Omega 3’s are anti-inflammatory and are known for improving the retinal health and help decrease dry eye. Fish is the best way to get your omega-3’s but flaxseed is another source.
The benefits of zinc are seen in the back of the eye in thee area called the macula, which is entirely responsible for central detailed vision, color vision, and motion. Zinc is known to aid against damaging effects of uv light. To safely increase zinc in your diet, you’ll want to prepare snacks/dishes with red meat, beans (kidney, lima, black-eyed peas), seafood, nuts, eggs, and other dairy foods.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that are in both the lens and and the inside lining of your eye, called the retina. Acting as antioxidants, these nutrients can improve your eye health by protecting the macula from harmful wavelengths of light and other inflammatory processes. Including these in your diet means loading up on your fresh, green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach.
It’s never too late to begin eating nutrient-rich food, but when it comes to your eyes it is equally as important to have a routine check-up. While making sure your body gets the right nutrients is essential, the only way to truly know the status of your eyesight is by scheduling a regular comprehensive eye exam.
To schedule your eye exam, please visit www.forsighteye.net or call or text our office at (912)-483-6600
If you need to reach Dr. Morrow after business hours please call our main office at 912-483-6600. Our voicemail will prompt you to dial #1 for emergencies which will transfer your call directly to Dr. Morrow’s cell phone.
NOTE: There is a $100 after-hours service fee for eye emergencies seen after normal business hours listed below.
Mon – Wed: 7:30am – 6pm
Thurs – Fri: 7:30am – 4pm
Sat – Sun: Closed