The eye is one of the most essential sense organs that we have. The eyes help to see and receive visual information. We must protect our sense of sight in any means we can. This is because being affected by eye diseases can greatly affect our sight and our way of life.
Additionally, the more we age, the more we are at risk for having problems related to eyesight. For this reason, individuals with common eye problems such as nearsightedness must resort to using corrective eyewear immediately so that they can perform daily activities that need accurate vision, such as driving. For those who have yet to have any eye diseases, it is important to know how to take care of one’s eyes to help prevent the onset of eye diseases. You can get more information on how to care for your eyes at https://topeyedoctorsnearme.com/.
Although many today believe that eye problems usually result from aging or eye strain, living a healthy lifestyle important in reducing the risk of eye health problems.
One important way we can protect our eyes from eye diseases is by improving our diet. Some food has vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial for the everyday functions of the eyes.
We will take a look at some of these foods which you can consider adding to your diet, if you are looking into reducing your risk of having eye diseases.
Various research groups, such as the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), have found that certain nutrients, such as copper, vitamin C, zinc, and beta carotene, may help in lowering the odds of age-related eye problems. Here are some of these foods which have the essential nutrients for eye health.
1. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
One must eat food that have good amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, as they can help in reducing the odds of the onset of eye diseases. One of the most basic Omega-3 fatty acid food we eat that is good for the eyes is fish. Many edible fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Examples of these include salmon, tuna, trout, and mackerel. Fish oil has long been known to be a good supplement to prevent dry eyes.
Aside from fish, nuts are also rich in fatty acids. More specifically, nuts such as cashews, peanuts, and walnuts are good for the eyes. Regardless of being eaten raw or cooked, these nuts will come packed with the nutrients that our eyes need. Eating foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids will help improve your eyesight, and help you avoid eye health problems.
2. Foods rich in Vitamin C
While Vitamin C is good for boosting the immune system, it is also shown to be beneficial for the eye, since it is an antioxidant that helps in removing toxin buildup in the eye. These toxins can cause problems in blood circulation in the eye and in turn, lead to some eye conditions later on. Food that are abundant in vitamin C includes grapefruits, lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits. Some vegetables also have good amounts of this vitamin, examples are spinach, collards, and kale.
3. Foods rich in Vitamin E
Another vitamin that has shown positive effects on eye health is vitamin E. The nutrient is well-known for protecting the eye from inducing damage related to age. Due to bad habits and improper diet, the eyes are one of the organs most prone to damage as we age. As mentioned earlier in the examples, nuts are also rich in vitamin E aside from omega-3 acids. Seeds such as flax and sweet potatoes are also a good source of this vitamin. You need to eat foods that are rich in zinc while you are pregnant. Because zinc-rich foods will help improve your eyesight during pregnancy.
4. Foods rich in Zinc
Lastly, zinc is a nutrient that is said to improve eye health in the long term, since it can aid in delaying macular degradation and age-related loss of sight. Meats are a good source of zinc, specifically beef, which has a higher concentration, compared to pork and chicken. Eggs also have a fair amount of zinc, and, aside from that, zeaxanthin, lutein, and vitamin E, which are all good nutrients that help in eye health.
5. Water
Aside from consuming these foods, one must not forget the importance of drinking enough water every day. Staying hydrated is essential in maintaining hydration in the eye. Lack of moisture can cause a condition known as dry eyes, which are painful and can affect vision if not treated. The eye must maintain a good amount of moisture for it to function properly in terms of keeping the corneas at a good amount of hydration.
Bottom Line
While we may not have eye problems at present, it will do us good to take care of our eyes as early as now to avoid developing problems in our sight in the future. The things we now for our eyes have a huge impact on our eye’s health later on. The food enumerated above comes equipped with the right vitamins and nutrients that are essential in maintaining eye health and keeping the chances of getting eye diseases minimal.
