Vitamins have many health benefits for the eyes, but the effects of the nutrients depend heavily on the cause for the eye condition, such as nearsightedness. This condition, also known as myopia, causes good near vision, but poor distance vision. Vitamins will most likely not improve nearsightedness once you have this vision condition, but understanding the possible benefits vitamins might have on myopia will help you discuss your options with your eye doctor.
Eye Shape
Your natural eye shape will determine if you have nearsightedness. This typically appears during childhood, and the condition might worsen or improve as you age. Eye shape plays a role because the light entering your eye needs to hit a certain spot on the back of your eye for perfect vision. A nearsighted eye has a long shape, and the light will not focus on the "perfect" location at the back of the eye. Vitamins cannot alter the shape of your eye or make adjustments for this form of nearsightedness.
Cataracts
Nearsightedness might occur as a result of eye conditions such as cataracts. This eye problem typically appears with age and stems from the natural aging process of the intraocular lens, a clear disc behind the iris that helps reflect light into the back of your eye. As the proteins in the lens breaks down, this causes the lens to turn cloudy, preventing the lens from focusing light properly. This might cause nearsightedness, even in people with a round eye shape.
Antioxidants
If you have early cataracts or have risks for the condition, your doctor might recommend vitamins. Antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins C and E, lutein and zeaxanthin might help slow down the damage to the proteins in the lens. Foods such as spinach and strawberries provide vitamin C, and for vitamin E, you can eat walnuts, almonds and sunflower seeds. Lutein and zeaxanthin often come as a pair, and you can increase your intake of these nutrients by eating foods such as spinach, chard, kale and collard greens. These vitamins will not reverse cataract growth or improve your vision, but might only have an effect on slowing the process.
Your doctor might also recommend a daily multivitamin that contains these nutrients and other nutrients beneficial to your eyes and your overall health. This will ensure that you have the appropriate intake each day.
Considerations
Prescription eyewear will typically improve vision problems related to nearsightedness, but if you have cataracts, eyewear might not help your visual acuity. In advanced stages, you might need surgery to remove the cloudy lens and restore your vision.
