The retina lines the inner, back portion of your eye, and the light-sensitive cells of this tissue transport information to your optic nerve, one of the steps in the vision process. Damage to the tissue or breakdown of retinal cells might result in a detachment, and to prevent permanent vision loss, you need to seek immediate medical attention. Nutrients will not repair a detached retina, but certain nutrients could play a part in preventing the condition.
Treatment
A detachment causes retinal tissue to fall or slide out of position, preventing your eye from seeing. This requires surgery to place the retina back in position. If treated promptly, a person with a detachment will often have a return of vision. Nutrients will not move the retina back in place or repair any tissue damage, so you should not rely on nutrition as a treatment possibility.
Retinal Cell Health
In 2001 the National Eye Institute released study findings that showed certain nutrients might help prevent macular degeneration, in which retinal cells break down in the central area of the retina, called the macula. These nutrients have shown promise toward slowing down or preventing advanced damage to the macula, suggesting these nutrients might help protect retinal cells.
The studied nutrients include zinc, along with vitamins A, C and E. Other beneficial nutrients might include lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidant pigments naturally found in the retinal tissue.
Sources
If your eye doctor believes these nutrients could help protect your eyes, she might recommend a daily supplement that will provide you with a set, daily dosage. In some cases, dietary sources of these nutrients will provide the amount your doctor recommends.
Food sources of vitamin A include carrots, spinach and cantaloupe. Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits, bananas and apples. For vitamin E, you should eat a variety of nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds, peanuts and almonds. Zinc-rich foods include oysters, milk and eggs. Lutein and zeaxanthin typically appear together, and dark green, leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach provide a good source of these nutrients.
Other Factors
Retinal detachments might stem from other factors besides weakness in retinal tissues. You might have a detachment due to an eye injury, such as a blow to the eye. Health conditions such as diabetes might also play a role. People with extreme nearsightedness -- the ability to see near objects well, but far objects poorly -- also have an increased risk for detachments due to the shape of the eye.
Consideration
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms such as sudden loss of vision, cloudy vision or many new floaters. A detachment might also cause a sensation of a veil or curtain that blocks out a section of your vision. You should not wait to contact your doctor, even if the change appears on the weekend or during the night. Go directly to your nearest emergency medical facility.
