Authored by: Dr. Fareed Ali
While eating right and getting regular eye check-ups are important for healthy eyes, so is keeping up with your vitamins! If you’re wondering what the best vitamins are for eye health, here are some recommendations:
Vitamin A + Beta Carotene – Vitamin A is a necessity for night vision and the proper functioning of the immune system. Additionally, Vitamin A is an important vitamin in the healing of wounds. Especially for eye health, Vitamin A is beneficial for the surface of the eye as well as prevention of eye infections. A natural source of beta-carotene is foods bright orange or yellow in colour; carrots, squash, peppers and the like. The University of Maryland medical center states that if you have a condition making your eyes especially sensitive to the sun, a beta-carotene rich diet can actually help!
Vitamin C – Not just for the common cold, the powerful antioxidants in vitamin C are said to reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Not only important for brain function, a new study suggests that it may also help nerve cells in the eye to function properly! Henrique von Gersdorff, PhD, a senior scientist at OHSU’s Vollum Institute and a co-author of the study explains that “cells need to be ‘bathed’ in relatively high doses of vitamin C, inside and out”.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin – Both are carotenoids and macular pigments which are said to reduce the risk of both cataracts and macular degeneration. Many have dubbed Lutein to be ‘the eye vitamin’. If you’re looking for a natural boost as opposed to supplements, dark, leafy greens are chalked full!
Omega-3 essential fatty acids – Amongst the plethora of health benefits, these also reduce the risk of dry eyes as well as macular degeneration. Additionally, a new study conducted by Lois Smith, M.D., Ph.D., professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, found that Omgea-3 Fatty Acids may halt blood vessel growth, a problem that eventually robs many of their eye sight.
Have any questions or concerns about the health of your eyes? Feel free to contact us!