Maintaining a nutrient-rich, well-balanced diet is important for your eyes and, specifically, your vision. Conditions such as cataracts or macular degeneration can reduce your vision, and progress into vision loss. Consuming specific vitamins on a daily basis may aid in maintaining healthy eyes and vision and prevent eye disorders from occurring or progressing. Consult your doctor before using supplements for eye conditions.
Niacin
Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, is an essential nutrient that helps your body convert food into energy. In addition, this B vitamin is important for the healthy formation and maintenance of your skin, eyes, hair and liver. You can take this vitamin as a supplement or consume it in food. Good dietary sources include brewer's yeast, beets, chicken, salmon, tuna, sunflower seeds and peanuts.
Combination of Antioxidant Vitamins
In combination with zinc and copper, certain antioxidant vitamins may help slow or prevent the progression of macular degeneration into vision loss. Antioxidants protect your body from free radical damage that can lead to infection, illness and cellular damage. MayoClinic.com says that a combination of 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, 15 mg of beta carotene, 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper may be effective in treating macular degeneration. Studies using this combination have yielded mixed results, and more research is required to establish a benefit to vision. Consult your doctor about adding these antioxidants to your daily regimen.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays an important role in healthy vision. It is specifically useful for retinitis pigmentosa, a class of disorders that lead to the decline of photoreceptor cells in your eyes. Symptoms of these disorders include difficulty with vision in the dark and night, and progressive loss of both peripheral and central vision. Some research suggests that supplementing with vitamin A may reduce loss of your retinal function. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends a daily intake for this vitamin of 900 mg a day for men and 700 mg a day for women. In addition to a supplement, you can find this vitamin in eggs, liver, sweet potatoes, carrots and squash.
Vitamin E
Evidence for the use of vitamin E in the prevention of cataracts, a condition that results in clouding of the eyes, has been mixed. According to MayoClinic.com, some research has indicated that vitamin E may provide protection for cataracts, while other studies suggest little benefit when used alone or in combination with other antioxidant vitamins. More research is required to establish any benefit. However, vitamin E is important for a healthy body overall. Foods such as spinach, olive oil, avocado, almonds and nut butters supply vitamin E.
