3 Vitamins That Contribute to Optimal Eye Health

Your eyes are the windows to your world. There are many things to can do to keep them healthy and make sure you are seeing your best. Below are three essential vitamins for maintaining healthy eyes well into your golden years

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are thought to help protect against cataracts. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. It is a clouding of the lens of one’s eye. Antioxidants can also protect against eye damage from sources such as air pollution or sunlight. A powerful antioxidant source is Vitamin C, which can be found in such foods as: citrus fruit, strawberries, green peppers, papaya and brussel sprouts. Other sources for antioxidants are: blueberries, red wine, tea, cherries and leafy greens such as spinach or kale.

Beta-Carotene/ Vitamin A

Beta-carotene is a pigment present in foods that results in an orange color and is a precursor to Vitamin A. A deficiency in Vitamin A can lead to blindness. It is thought that beta-carotene helps with healthy night vision and overall immune health. Beta-carotene and Vitamin A are found commonly in carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers, apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkins and other squash. An excessive amount of Beta-carotene can be harmful, so be sure to follow dietary guidelines if considering a supplement.

Zinc

Zinc is a metallic element. Zinc may help protect against age-related macular degeneration, which occurs in the retina as people grow older. It is a major cause of visual impairment in people over the age of 50. Oysters, red meat and turkey are excellent sources of zinc, along with certain seeds, beans and nuts.

These vitamins and nutrients are best acquired through consuming the appropriate foods. They are not the only vitamins/minerals that can support eye health. Vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids are also contributors. Many of these vitamins work together (Vitamins C and E, Vitamin A and fats/lipids) so an overall healthy diet is always better than focusing on one particular nutrient. Supplements must be taken with caution, as they could be dangerous or at best, ineffective. Talking to your doctor can determine if you have deficiencies in these or any other nutrients. In this case, supplements can assist, but they are never a replacement for eating the correct source foods.

Eye health is achieved not only through healthy diet and lifestyle, but also through medical checkups. Visits to your optometrist can help catch early stages of eye diseases or correct developing vision problems. There are many offices with full in house services where you can get eye exams and the resulting necessary glasses/lenses all in one place, such as Optometrists Clinic Inc. If your optometrist does not have a lab on the premises, they can provide you with a prescription to take to a lens vendor. Your optometrist can recommend the appropriate treatments for any problems you are having. However general preventative measures are always a good bet. A healthy diet and lifestyle are the keys to general overall health.