An important part of keeping your eyes healthy throughout your life is maintaining a diet filled with vital nutrients and vitamins. At the office of Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates, their eye doctors provide dietary counseling to their patients in Honolulu and Oahu to help them preserve vision and prevent disease.

Here are three important vitamins and nutrients these optometrists recommend you include in your diet to protect your vision:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fats are essential to help the body — including the eyes — function properly, and fatty acids are main components of fat. Several clinical studies have shown omega-3 fatty acids are essential for vision development in infants and for protecting against macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome in adults. Besides breast milk and formula for infants, eye doctors suggest leafy vegetables, walnuts, and flaxseed to get more omega-3 in your child’s diet. Fish oil supplements are another good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Lutein & Zeaxanthin: These are two types of carotenoids that are believed to help reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. The best food for lutein and zeaxanthin include eggs and green, leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach. Many multi-vitamins also have these carotenoids added to their formula.
• Vitamin A: These vitamins are antioxidant compounds, and they play an important role in the health of your vision. It is essential in protecting the cornea (surface of the eye) and has also been shown to reduce the risk of eye infections. There are two types of Vitamin A, retinol and “provitamin A” carotenoids, which are based on the food source where they are obtained. Retinol is derived from animal sources, such as beef, chicken liver, whole milk, and cheese. “Provitamin A” carotenoids are those derived from colorful fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and cantaloupes. Vitamin A eye drops have also been found to be an effective treatment for dry eyes.

To discover more essential vitamins and nutrients required to maintain healthy vision, contact Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates. Schedule your appointment with an optometrist by calling (808) 487-5500. You can also visit this eye doctor online to learn more about eye nutrition and see an overview of their contact lenses and eyewear products.