Being proactive about caring for your eyes is the first, crucial step to maintaining clear and healthy vision. Aside from using protective eyewear during sports, or wearing sunglasses with UV protection while outdoors, you should also eat a healthy and balanced diet. The fruits and vegetables included in your diet should remain your primary source of vitamins and minerals. They naturally contribute to better eye health with the antioxidants they produce, which helps prevent eye cellular damage.
The premier optometrist in the area, Six One Six Vision Center discusses some of the nutrients that can help you maintain optimal eye health.
1. Vitamin A. Eating vitamin A-rich food prevents night blindness and ensures your eyes can produce sufficient moisture to keep them lubricated. This also helps protect against common eye conditions, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. The best sources of vitamin A include sweet potatoes, bell peppers, pumpkins, and leafy green vegetables.
2. Vitamin E. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals in the body and is linked to a number of eye conditions. Consuming food rich in Vitamin E–which is a potent antioxidant–can protect your eye cells from damage caused by free radicals. You should definitely incorporate nuts, seeds, cooking oils, salmon, avocado, and leafy green vegetables into your diet because they are great sources of Vitamin E. When combined with periodic eye exams with your trusted local eye doctor, you can keep your vision healthier.
3. Vitamin C. This is required to create collagen, a protein that provides structure to the cornea and sclera of your eyes. Vitamin C is also observed to reduce the risk of developing cataracts. A selection of citrus and tropical fruits, including orange, grapefruit, and blackberry, plus broccoli and Brussel sprouts, are excellent sources of vitamin C.
Other Nutrients That Keep Your Eyes Healthy
Like Vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that protect your eyes from damage. You can get them from kale, spinach, egg yolks, corn, and lettuce. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in walnut, chia seeds, and oily fish such as tuna and sardines, protect the retina from degeneration. Zinc in seafood, nuts, milk and whole grains, is known for keeping the eyes safe from ultraviolet light.
You can count on Six One Six Vision Center for high-quality eye care solutions, from prescription eyeglasses to myopia control. We will exceed your expectations for vision care with our advanced services and team of qualified eye doctors. Call us today at (208) 514-1858 or make an appointment here. We proudly serve the areas in and around Eagle and Meridian, Idaho.
