Some vision problems are genetic, but that doesn't mean people are powerless over the health of their eyes. Incorporating nutrients such as vitamins C and E and zinc into the diet can reduce the risk of disease and prevent vision loss, according to the American Optometric Association. Herbs such as gingko and goldenseal may also help with eye conditions, although research is insufficient. Speak with a doctor before starting any new treatment regimen.
Bilberry
Bilberry is a perennial shrub that is related to blueberry. The berries contain anthocyandosides, pigments that give the plant antioxidant properties, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. During World War II, British fighter pilots ate bilberry jam because they claimed that it improved their nighttime vision. A study in 2000 by the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Library disproved those claims, however, finding no improvement in night visual acuity or night contrast sensitivity in young men who took bilberry capsules for three weeks. Bilberry may be effective against retina damage and cataracts, but research is limited.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo is a top seller among herbal supplements in the U.S., France and Germany, thanks to chemicals inside the leaves of the tree that are thought to improve circulation and fight dementia. Ginkgo might also be effective against glaucoma. In a 2003 study by Clinica Oculistica Universita di Brescia in Italy, 27 people with visual field damage from glaucoma took ginkgo extract three times a day for four weeks. At the end of the trial, participants scored higher on visual field tests. Ginkgo can be taken in extract, capsule and dried leaf form. Ginkgo should not be taken by people who are taking antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antihypertensives or blood-thinning medications, because the plant can affect how these drugs work.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal grows wild in the United States and was used by Native Americans to treat skin and digestive problems and sore eyes. The active compound in goldenseal is berberine, which can kill bacteria and fight infection. Goldenseal can be used to treat inflammation caused by conjuctivitis and other conditions. To make an eyewash, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends combining 1 cup of sterile water with 1/2 tsp. goldenseal and 1/4 tsp. salt. If the solution becomes cloudy, this means it has spoiled. Pregnant women and people with high blood pressure or heart disease should consult with a doctor before taking goldenseal. The herb can affect the way the liver metabolizes medications.
Parsley
Parsley is high in vitamin C, which is crucial to eye health, according to the American Optometric Association. Vitamin C intake can reduce the risk of cataracts, vision loss and macular degeneration. The FDA recommends that males consume 90mg per day and females consume 75mg per day. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, 1 cup of raw parsley contains about 80mg of vitamin C.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bilberry
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginkgo Biloba
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Goldenseal
- PubMed: The Effect of Bilberry Nutritional Supplementation on Night Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity
- PubMed: Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract on Preexisting Visual Field Damage in Normal Tension Glaucoma
