The Best Vitamins For Optic Nerve Health

Your optic nerve connects the back of your eye to your brain, allowing electrical impulses to travel back and forth. The health of your optic nerve depends on many factors, including your lifestyle and genetics, but there are a variety of vitamins you need in your diet that boost the health of this vital nerve.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C may play an important role in preventing glaucoma, an eye condition that results from damaged optic nerves. The National Center for Biotechnology Information's PubMed Health website reports that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. An article in the June 2010 issue of "Life Extension" suggests that vitamin C levels are often lower in people who have glaucoma, so boost your intake of this vitamin by eating foods such as citrus fruit, bell and hot peppers, watermelon and strawberries.

Vitamin E

Problems with your optic nerve may be caused by neurotoxins, environmental toxins that influence brain activity. A study published in the May 2010 issue of the "Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease" indicates that vitamin E may serve as a treatment option for improving optic neuropathy in certain cases. Increase your consumption of vitamin E by eating wheat germ, sunflower seeds and almonds.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A has long been known for its role in eye health. A 1939 study noted that vitamin A deficiency influences blindness caused by optic nerve constriction. To get more vitamin A in your diet, expand your intake of vegetables such as carrots, spinach, kale, peas and tomatoes. You can also find vitamin A in apricots, cantaloupe, liver and dairy foods.

Vitamin B-12

Getting adequate quantities of vitamin B-12 in your diet helps avoid macular degeneration and optic nerve damage. But while healthy people can consume foods rich in vitamin B-12, such as liver, clams, trout, yogurt and cheese, avoid consuming these foods if you have a genetic eye disease known as Leber's disease, which can damage your optic nerve.