WHAT ARE THE BEST FOODS FOR EYE HEALTH?

If you want to help protect your eye health for years to come, there are a few different foods you can mix into your diet — or that you might already be eating. Of course, no foods have the ability to cure or reverse eye diseases and problems, but a number of the following foods are highly beneficial for your overall eye health. Many of them contain helpful ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, carotene, antioxidants, and more.

If you are concerned about your eye health in Fort Collins, don’t hesitate to contact us at Poudre Valley Eye Care. We are eye care professionals with years of experience with preventative eye exams, eye disease diagnostics, and eye disease treatment.

FISH

Fish are an excellent food source for maintaining healthy eyes. Many fish contain an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for eye health. Omega-3s help your body in a number of ways, but when it comes to the eyes, omega-3s help the glands that produce the eye’s oily film. While this might not sound like much, it’s actually very helpful for those who suffer from conditions like dry eye because by aiding the production of the oil film layer in the eye, your eye can better keep itself properly lubricated. Omega 3’s are also said to help macular degeneration and cataracts as well. Some types of fish that are rich with omega-3s are:

• Trout
• Salmon
• Mackeral
• Sardines
• Cod
• Oysters

Most fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, but the fish listed above tend to have higher amounts than the average serving of fish.

EGGS

Eggs are one of those foods that are great for overall health. They contain good fats, vitamin C, vitamin E, Zinc, and more. They are beneficial for a number of systems throughout your body, including eye health. When it comes to eggs, according to a recent article, they contain lutein and zeaxanthin. They are known for reducing your risk of vision loss due to aging. We’re not saying that eggs are like the waters from the fountain of youth, but eggs certainly don’t hurt when it comes to preventing vision loss due to that pesky thing they call old age.

NUTS

Nuts (and legumes) are another great source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids are both shown to counteract the effects of macular degeneration and cataracts — not to mention dry eye too. Nuts are perfect for those vegetarians looking to take steps toward their eye health and are not interested in risking eating fish just to take care of their eyes. Some nuts that are rich in omega-3s and vitamin E are:

• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Peanuts (legume)

If you are concerned that you are at risk for or already have cataracts, macular degeneration, or any other eye problems, contact us at Poudre Valley Eye Care in Fort Collins. We have helped scores of people with similar issues and can help you too.

CARROTS

We’ve all heard at some point throughout our lives that carrots will help your eyesight. Turns out, that’s not an old wive’s tale. Carrots contain large amounts of vitamin A and carotene. According to a recent article on eye health, vitamin A is largely beneficial for vision. Vitamin A helps produce a protein in the eye that aids our eyes in absorbing light. This is important because if too much light gets into the retina, it can be very difficult to see and can in extreme cases be damaging. So listen to your mom and eat more carrots so you’ll have great eye health.

SWEET POTATOES

Sweet potatoes are considered a superfood because they are so rich in vital nutrients that are great for our body. Sweet potatoes are good for the eyes in the way that, like carrots, they contain carotene that helps produce vitamin A. And, as mentioned above, vitamin A has a crucial part to play when it comes to eye health.

Sweet potatoes are also awesome foods for reducing inflammation throughout the body and contain other beneficial eye vitamins and minerals like carotene, vitamin C, magnesium, and other antioxidants.

CITRUS/BERRIES

Vitamin C is another vitamin that is good for eye health. Vitamin C might be known for its ability to beef up your immune system, but did you know it also has the ability to reduce your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases? Antioxidants like vitamin C are also effective at fighting off eye problems that start to develop with age. Examples of foods that are packed with antioxidants are:

• Oranges
• Lemons
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Grapefruits
• Chili peppers
• Kale

When it comes to eye health, the best option is to be sure to get regular eye exams from your preferred eye doctor. Regular eye exams can monitor your eye health and make sure that you are not developing any harmful eye problems. They also help you keep your sight as sharp, clear, and focused as ever. But, if you want to reduce your risk of developing eye health problems even further, eating any of the above tasty foods is a great way to look out for yourself.

In the Fort Collins area, Poudre Valley Eye Care is a fantastic family eye care professional. We are experts in eye exams, contact lenses, and more. Schedule your appointment with us today.