Optimize your Eye Health

March is Save You Vision month: Are you worried that your eyesight isn’t as sharp as it used to be? Maybe you have a few pairs of non-prescription reading glasses scattered around your house – one in the kitchen, another on your bed-side table and yet another by the TV guide. Or, perhaps you had to increase or change your prescription at your latest visit to the eye doctor.

Well, you’re certainly not alone if the above description fits you to a T! I know at least two people in my life, anyway (hi mom and dad). But seriously . . .

According to the Journal for Vision Impairment and Blindness, over four million people in the United States suffer from some form of severe vision impairment, with 68 percent of those affected being 65 years of age or older. Age-related decreases in vision can start as early as age 40, resulting in the need for reading glasses or stronger prescriptions for those already wearing glasses or contacts.

The older you get, the more likely your vision problems are to be directly related to eye diseases, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and retinopathy. While many of these conditions cannot be prevented, they can be delayed and treated effectively.

Diet and your Eyes

Diet plays a major role in preserving your peepers, particularly because specific vitamins and other nutrients have been shown to improve and maintain optimal eye health. To better protect your vision, consider adding more of the following to your diet:

Lutein and Zeazanthin

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that the carotenoids lutein and zeazanthin lowered the risk of age-related macular degeneration by up to 43 percent. Lutein and zeazanthin are found in leafy dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, and lutein’s effectiveness in particular has made it a key component in multivitamins specifically marketed to improve vision.

Bilberry

Found effective when used to treat retinopathy, macular degeneration and retinosis pigmentosa, bilberry is also commonly taken to improve night vision and overall eye health.

Ginkgo Biloba

Shown to help lower pressure on the optic nerve, a hallmark of glaucoma, and improve blood flow to the eyes.

Eyebright

An herb with astringent properties used to treat eye irritation, it is believed to decrease eye strain and decrease inflammation. It is commonly available in liquid form and administered through eye drops.

Vitamins C and E

A diet high in foods rich in vitamins C and E is associated with the delayed formation of cataracts and other vision disorders, including retinosis pigmentosa.

Just think – what would you do without your eyesight? Imagine all the important memories you might miss out on if your vision suffers. Making sure you have enough of the above nutrients in your diet will help make sure that you are seeing clearly well into your future – and not with a crystal ball, but with your eyeballs!