Vision is described as your eye's ability to accurately transmit external images to your brain. According to the National Eye Institute, as of 2010, approximately 9 million Americans over the age of 40 suffer from slow macular degeneration and over 20 million develop cataracts each year. An adequate supply of oxygen and vitamins is essential for good eyesight. Certain vitamins can protect you against eye disorders and diseases and help you achieve and maintain good vision.
Vitamin A
If you want to improve your vision, try supplementing with vitamin A. According to Alice Feinstein, author of the book "Prevention's Healing with Vitamins," vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that keeps your eyes moist and helps them adjust to changes in brightness. Feinstein further states that this vitamin may also improve your immune system, help produce the pigments found in the retina of your eye, lower the risk of dry eye syndrome and prevent the development of cataracts. Some provitamin A carotenoids like beta carotene have demonstrated antioxidant properties in laboratory studies; but as of 2010, there is no consistent evidence of this effect in humans, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin A is 700 mg for adult females and 900 mg for adult males. Foods rich in vitamin A include beef liver, sweet potatoes, egg yolks, cheese, milk, carrots, pumpkin, apricots, cantaloupe, broccoli, spinach, chard and kale.
Vitamin C
Increasing your vitamin C can help enhance your vision. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that strengthens your immune system, protects your eyes from developing cataracts, produces the collagen found in the cornea of your eyes, helps your eyes heal from infections, viruses and diseases and reduces eye pressure caused by glaucoma or slow macular degeneration, according to Alice Feinstein author of the book Prevention's Healing With Vitamins." The recommended daily allowance for vitamin C is 75 mg for adult females and 90 mg for adult males. Vitamin C can be found in oranges, grapefruits, broccoli, squash, kale, chard, strawberries, black currants, green peppers and pineapples.
Vitamin E
Taking vitamin E can keep your vision good. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that boosts your immune system, lowers your risk of developing cataracts, helps produce red blood cells, aids in the healing process and prevents retina deterioration caused by damaging free radicals, according Jay B. Lavine author of the book "Eye Care Sourcebook." The recommended daily allowance for vitamin E is 15 mg for adult females and adult males. Foods loaded with vitamin E include eggs, herring, sardines, blackberries, cranberries, almonds, pumpkin, peaches, potatoes, squash and chard.
References
- "Textbook of Clinical Opthalmology: A Practical Guide to Disorders of the Eyes and Their Management"; R. Pitts Crick and T. K. Peng; 2009
- "Eye Book: A Complete Guide to Eye Disorders and Health"; Gary H. Cassel M.D., Michael D. Billig O.D. and Harry G. Randall M.D.; 2010
- "Eye Care Sourcebook"; Jay B. Lavine; 2007
- "Prevention's Healing With Vitamins"; Alice Feinstein; 1996
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch; 1996
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