Eye health is easy to take for granted, especially for those who do not require corrective lenses. The truth is healthy eyes and vision need maintenance, so treat your optometrist visits like you would a regular physical or dental exam. Many eye diseases and causes of vision loss have little to no discernible symptoms until it is too late. Only regular eye exams can diagnose and prevent such issues from developing. Read on for more information maintaining your eye health.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
Nutrition is often tied to things like exercise and weight loss, but diet is connected to all facets of health– your eyes are no exception! Here are some other foods that will keep your eyes in tip-top shape:
- Leafy greens: rich in carotenoids—pigments found in plants—and antioxidants. Both are major building blocks in maintaining vision health, as well as preventing age-related eye disease and degeneration.
- Eggs: Lean source of protein and good cholesterol. Easy to digest, featuring omega-3 fats and antioxidants.
- Citrus fruits: Vitamin C can prevent cataracts and other eye issues.
- Nuts: Rich in omega-3 fats, zinc, niacin and vitamin E– all of which benefit eye health and slow down vision loss. Just a handful of nuts or seeds once a day can help.
- Fish: Richest source of omega-3 fats available, which are essential to healthy retinas and overall eye health.
- Carrots: The old home remedy holds some truth– carrots are a good source of vitamin A. It may not let you see in the dark, but vitamin A is vital to keeping your eyes healthy.
GET YOUR VITAMINS
Remember to always consult your eye doctor before beginning any regimen of supplements or vitamins, they can offer guidance and warning because they are familiar with your body and health history. The following are just some of the nutrients that can help you maintain your eye health:
- Vitamin A & beta-carotene: Used in body for night vision, immune system & healing injuries.
- Vitamin B-complex: Can reduce chronic swelling & prevent blood-flow problems in the eye. May help prevent macular degeneration & common causes of blindness.
- Vitamin C: Antioxidant than can reduce risk of cataracts.
- Vitamin D: Can lower risk of macular degeneration.
- Vitamin E: Reduced risk of cataracts.
- Lutein & zeaxanthin: May reduce the risk of macular degeneration & cataracts.
- Phytochemical antioxidants: Prevent oxidative stress in the entire body, including the eyes. Found in ginkgo biloba & bilberry.
- Omega-3 essential fatty acids: Essential nutrients that can reduce risk of dry eyes & may offer other benefits to vision.
- Bioflavonoids: Increase absorption of vitamin C.
BUTT OUT
The chemicals found in cigarette smoke are especially harmful to the most sensitive part of the retina, at the back of your eye, known as the macula. Tiny blood vessels constricted by the body’s reaction to smoking can burst and irreversibly damage the macula or cause its cells slowly die. Both ultimately lead to a significant loss of vision. Here are some other eye health issues caused or worsened by smoking: cataracts, macular degeneration, uveitis, diabetic retinopathy, dry eyes, infant eye disease and many more.
Note: In addition to increasing the likelihood of all of the aforementioned health problems, smoking also lowers the age at which these issues can develop.
The above factors are just a few that can affect your overall eye health. Consult with your optometrist at your regular eye exams to ensure all your vision needs are being met. Don’t delay, contact The Vision Gallery today and book your next appointment. Our experienced eye health professionals will work with you to tailor a regime that will have you seeing clearly for many years to come.