The natural lens sits near the front inner section of your eye, just behind the iris. Light entering your eye passes through the lens and the lens helps focus the light on the back of your eye. With age, the lens will harden and lose its flexibility. This condition, a cataract, may cause decreased vision. Knowing how diet may protect your eyes from cataracts may help you prevent serious vision changes.
Symptoms
Cataracts cause gradual changes, and you may not know that you have cataracts in their early stages. In advanced stages, you will have blurry vision that an eye glass prescription cannot improve. You may also have problems with glare, driving at night or double vision, explains the National Eye Institute. The lens will also turn yellow, and this could alter the appearance of colors.
Prevention
Diet cannot reverse damage from cataracts, but a diet rich in certain nutrients may slow down cataract growth or prevent noticeable vision changes. Vitamins A, C and E, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin may aid in prevention, explains Shereen Jegtvig, a certified nutrition specialist with All About Vision.
Vitamins
Select foods that contain valuable amounts of vitamin A, C and E. Food sources for vitamin A include carrots, spinach and cantaloupe, lists the Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C foods include citrus fruits, such as oranges, tangerines and grapefruit. Strawberries, broccoli and green peppers also contain vitamin C. Foods with vitamin E include almonds, peanuts and sunflower seeds.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Many green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, contain lutein and zeaxanthin. Other foods that contain these important nutrients include broccoli, kale, collard greens, chard and turnip greens, says the American Optometric Association. If you take blood-thinning medications, talk with your doctor before increasing your intake of dark green, leafy vegetables. The vitamin K and other nutrients in these foods may increase the effects of the blood thinners and result in serious health problems.
Additional Food Choices
In addition to eating foods with specific nutrients, focus on a healthy diet, full of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, whole grains and heart-healthy oils. Following a well-balanced diet will help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, and it may also aid in preventing cataracts, explains Jegtvig.
Considerations
If you make changes to your diet, discuss your plans with your health care provider. She will help you determine your nutritional needs. Inform her of all the supplements and medications you take. Certain foods and nutrients may react with medications or health conditions you have, and discussing these possibilities will help you determine the approach that may work best for your overall health.
Vision changes from cataracts will not improve with diet, supplements or eye drops. If cataracts disrupt your vision and prevent you from performing activities, such as reading or driving, your eye doctor may recommend cataract surgery to improve your vision.
