Believe it or not, diet may play a role in the health and longevity of your eyes. Research suggests that eating certain foods could actually improve vision. Make these five foods a staple of your diet to keep your peepers in tip-top shape.
Carrots
Carrots contain beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that gives these foods their orange hue. Beta-carotene helps the retina and other parts of the eye to function smoothly. An extreme lack of vitamin A can cause blindness. In fact, in the developing world, vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness.
Spinach, Kale and Dark Leafy Greens
One cup of these cooked veggies is filled with more than 20 milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin—two nutrients that are excellent for eye health. These two nutrients have been shown to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Oranges
If leafy greens don’t do it for you, oranges too are filled with lutein and zeaxanthin – giving you the same benefits and prevention against age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, the high level of Vitamin C that is present in oranges can aid in the prevention of eye-ageing. One cup of orange juice can contain up to 124 milligrams of vitamin C.
Salmon
Salmon is one of the best sources of eye-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce the risk of ARMD and help treat dry eye disease. An Ophthalmology study reported that high dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids resulted in a 38% reduction in the risk for ARMD.
Eggs
Egg yolk is a prime source of lutein and zeaxanthin—plus zinc. Zinc is an essential mineral or “helper molecule.” It plays a vital role in bringing vitamin A from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin, a protective pigment in the eyes. Zinc is highly concentrated in the eye, mostly in the retina and choroid.