Eye health is extremely important. Eye problems tend to progress over time and result in irreversible vision loss. Like most organs and body systems, your eyes are impacted by environmental factors, lifestyle, and diet. 

Drinking too much alcohol and smoking cigarettes contaminate your body with toxins that affect your overall health and speed up the aging process. This means your eyes will age much faster. 

Sunlight is another factor that influences your eye health. Moderate sunlight exposure is good for you, as it promotes vitamin D production, but too much sun can damage your eyes.    

Proper nutrition is a crucial part of eye health. Some dietary changes can help you manage eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. But if you have any of these conditions, diet alone won’t help. Visit an eye doctor to get an appropriate drug therapy. 

Eating these foods is  a good addition to your prescribed treatment that will promote better eye function and stop the progression of existing eye problems:

1. Dark Leafy Greens 

Dark leafy vegetables are rich in two antioxidants called lutein and zeaxanthin. They protect eyes from damaging light and fight free radicals. Lutein helps your eyes filter blue light from the screens of electronic devices. Zeaxanthin promotes protection against ultraviolet rays in sunlight. These antioxidants  improve blood flow to your eyes and combat dry eye syndrome. 

2. Sunflower Seeds and Nuts

Sunflowers seeds, peanuts, and hazelnuts are full of vitamin E. This vitamin is known for its ability to slow down age-related macular degeneration and improve eyesight.  

3. Orange-colored vegetables and fruits

Orange-colored fruits and veggies are high in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a form of vitamin A that gives fruits and vegetables their orange color. It boosts vision and helps reduce oxidative stress. 

4. Blueberries 

Blueberries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your whole body from free radicals. Free radicals can destroy eye cells leading to vision impairment and eye damage. Blueberries also contain anthocyanins that prevent blockages in retinal arteries and lower blood pressure. 

5. Red Peppers

Red peppers contain vitamin C that promotes vascular health and reduces the risk of cataracts. Eat it raw to get more benefits. Other colored peppers such as yellow, purple, and green are full of Vitamin A and E. 

6. Carrots 

Carrot is the best source of beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A) that’s crucial for a healthy vision. Vitamin A is involved in the production of cone and rod cells responsible for your color vision and low light vision. 

Another good benefit of beta-carotene is protection from oxidative stress - a main culprit of cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. 

7. Salmon 

Salmon contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that might protect you from dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, and lower eye pressure. Not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids can increase your risk of fatty acids.   

8. Eggs 

In addition to being beneficial for your overall health, eggs can promote eye health. They are full of lutein, zeaxanthin, quality fats, zinc, and vitamin D. 

9. Oysters 

Zinc is found abundantly in oysters. This mineral helps your body produce melanin - a pigment that protects your eyes. Zinc deficiency can increase your risk of developing cataracts and night blindness. High amounts of zinc have been shown to slow down the progression of early-stage degeneration and cataracts. If you don’t like oysters, you can take zinc supplements.

Now, you know how diet can protect your health. Use this knowledge to improve your eye function and prevent various eye conditions.