Did you know that what you eat every day can affect the health of your eyes? To stay healthy and maintain excellent vision, your eyes need their own set of special nutrients, and you can get them from a variety of everyday foods as part of a diverse, healthy diet. Below, optometrist Dr Edwin Endo of Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates in Aiea, HI, shares the best foods for healthy eyes and the specific nutrients they each contain. 

The 5 Best Foods for Healthy Eyes

Leafy Greens

A key nutritional component for eye health is lutein, which has been found to reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Lutein even reduces the risks of these problems when they are age-related! This nutrient can also be found in eggs. 

Fatty Fish

Your entire nervous system, including your eyes, needs omega-3 fatty acids to function. These acids are integral to retinal development, not to mention brain health and a strong immune system. While they can be found in many foods, they’re the most concentrated in fatty fishes like salmon. 

Sweet Potatoes

Vitamins E and C are antioxidant nutrients that reduce the risk of all sorts of diseases, including cataracts and the general macular degeneration reducing visual acuity as people age. Sweet potatoes have high levels of both of these vitamins. 

Oysters

While not everyone loves oysters, they are undeniably healthy, containing the most zinc per serving of any food we consume. Zinc is a mineral that helps other nutrients make their way through our bodies, particularly Vitamin A. 

Carrots

You’ve probably heard that carrots are great for eye health, and it’s because of their high concentration of Vitamin A, also known as beta-carotene. Vitamin A is essential to the proper function of the cornea, which enables vision, and Vitamin A deficiencies in children can cause blindness. 

If you’re seeking the best optometrist for your eye health and vision needs, Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates of Aiea, HI, has an award-winning staff committed to every patient’s ocular health. Visit the website to learn more about the glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses they offer, as well as their full range of services. To speak with someone directly, call (808) 487-5500.