A diet rich in certain vitamins, minerals and fats optimizes eye health at all stages of life. In the presence of disease, the eyes benefit from specific nutritional practices and types of foods. Nutrition can also be a factor in the prevention of eye disease.
Common Eye Diseases
Eye diseases impact millions of Americans. Some of the most prevalent are cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disorders and conjunctivitis.
A cataract clouds the lens in your eye and affects vision.
Macular degeneration occurs when the central area of the retina, the macula, begins to disintegrate, causing loss of central vision.
Glaucoma occurs when fluid pressure inside the eye builds to a level that damages the optic nerve. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health's, or NIH's, National Eye Institute.
The web of tissue behind the eye that delivers images to the brain is called the retina; its central component is the macula, which creates sharp visual detail. Scarring, breaks or tearing in the retina can cause several diseases, including retinal detachment, an emergency wherein the retina becomes separated from the eye; macular pucker, a nest of scar tissue that impairs the macula; a macular hole, or break, typically age-related, and floaters, experienced as specks in the vision field.
Conjunctivitis, colloquially termed "pink eye," does not affect vision. Conjunctivitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infections and is highly contagious.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids--organic pigments that occur naturally in plants. They function as antioxidants in the eye, protect and maintain healthy eye cells and filter out destructive high-energy wavelengths of light. The amount of lutein and zeaxanthin in the macular region of the retina has become a barometer to forecast eye disease, and a deficiency in either can boost the odds of macular degeneration. Because the body does not synthesize its own lutein and zeaxanthin, a diet rich in these nutrients is essential to eye well being. Lutein and zeaxanthin can be found in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, broccoli and Romaine lettuce. Eggs, carrots, corn and sweet potatoes are also good sources.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant. According to the American Optometric Association, vitamin C has been shown to retard the onset of cataracts and slow the progression of age-related vision loss. In general, fruit is the most reliable food source of Vitamin C, including black currants, oranges, pineapples, grapefruit and mangoes.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to healthy retinal function, says the American Optometric Association, as well as visual development. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, halibut, herring and sardines, are optimal sources.
Symptoms
Not all eye diseases present symptoms initially. Sound nutrition definitely helps to prevent eye diseases and can also help manage them. Any changes in vision--blurriness, dimness or flashes of light--require an immediate check-up with a qualified eye care specialist. Other symptoms to have checked out include double vision, pain, inflammation or fluid secreted from the eyes.
