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Many foods may look appetizing, but that doesn’t always mean they are good for your eyes. For example, excessive sugar intake can contribute to diabetic retinopathy, whereas consuming a lot of sodium may increase your risk for cataracts. Fortunately, there are many nutritious foods out that that can help support your vision health. If you’re concerned about your eye care, here are five items you may want to add to your diet.

5 Foods That Support Eye Health

1.  Carrots

The beta-carotene that gives carrots their orange color also contributes a healthy dose of vitamin A to the body. As the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) explains, vitamin A helps produce essential pigments in the eye that allow people to see various spectrums of light. Without enough of this vitamin, you may have trouble seeing in the dark.

2. Fish

Cold-water fish — such as salmon — contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to help protect against dry eye. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, some fish also offer vitamin D, which can help prevent macular degeneration.

3. Whole Grains

eye careWhen people do not get enough zinc, they can experience a wide range of eye care issues—including impaired vision, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts. This connection, explains the American Optometric Association, is due to the fact that zinc helps transport vitamin A to the retina. If you want to keep your zinc levels up, whole grains are a great source of this vital trace mineral.

4. Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale, asparagus, broccoli, and other dark leafy greens contain high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin — two antioxidants that can protect against cataracts and macular degeneration. According to the Produce for Better Health Foundation, these greens also contain dietary nitrates that can help reduce pressure in the eye, and in turn, reduce the risk of glaucoma.

5. Citrus Fruit

Normal eye function depends on high levels of vitamin C, a nutrient that is abundant in citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons. In terms of preventing specific ocular diseases, the AAO says vitamin C plays an important role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

 

While adopting a healthy, balanced, and varied diet can go a long way in protecting your eyes, it’s still vital to visit a vision specialist for routine examination. If you live in Cincinnati, OH, checking up on your ocular health is easy thanks to the stress-free services of Wing Eyecare. This provider can conveniently and comfortably evaluate your eyes to check for vision problems and ocular disease risk. If necessary, this clinic can also introduce you to a wide range of effective solutions to improve your vision, such as prescription glasses and contact lenses. For more information on these eye care services, visit this optometrist online. To schedule an appointment, call (888) 274-9464.

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