You probably know that diet and exercise can help with everything, from high blood pressure to diabetes. However, do you know that it can also help you see better? There is universal agreement that nutrients and a healthy diet can help improve vision. Proper nutrition can help delay vision issues later in life and, to some extent, restore certain acuity losses.

Your eyes account for more than 80 percent of your daily information intake. They can also transmit approximately 10 million bits of visual data per second to your brain. It stands to reason that good eyesight is essential. Although your vision deteriorates as you age, the proper diet and nutrition can help you maintain good eye health. It can also protect your eyes from common eye diseases.

How a Healthy Diet and Nutrition Can Help Maintain Healthy Vision

Maintaining good vision is essential for your overall health and quality of life. A nutritious and balanced diet is one of the most important ways to support healthy vision.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids help support healthy vision in several ways. For example, they may help reduce eye inflammation, benefiting people with certain eye conditions. These include age-related macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. They may also help preserve the retina's health.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral essential for maintaining retinal health. It aids in producing proteins in the eye, including those involved in vision. Zinc is also necessary for the proper functioning of the immune system. That helps maintain healthy vision by fighting infections and other forms of inflammation. Zinc-rich foods include beef, pork, and shellfish.

Vitamin A

The health of the cornea is dependent on vitamin A. It aids in the maintenance of the cornea's moisture and smoothness, which is essential for good vision. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin A. The body transforms beta-carotene, which is abundant in several foods, into this vitamin.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the health of the blood vessels in the eyes. It is an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect cells from free radicals. The body produces these harmful substances during normal processes like metabolism.

However, they can also come from outside sources like pollution and UV radiation. Vitamin C neutralizes them, helping prevent cell damage and maintain the health of the blood vessels in the eye.

Vitamin E

Another antioxidant that can help protect eye cells from free radical damage is vitamin E. It is vital for keeping the retina healthy. Vitamin E can also help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, benefiting eye and vision health.

Water

It is critical to drink plenty of water, as your eyes require adequate moisture to function properly. Dehydration can cause dry eye syndrome. This condition occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly. That can cause discomfort, redness, and difficulty seeing.

Conclusion

A nutritious and balanced diet with foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients supporting eye health is necessary to maintain healthy vision. You can help preserve your vision and keep your eyes functioning properly by eating the right foods and staying hydrated.

For more on nutrition and eye health, visit Coastal Vision Medical Group at our Chino, Irvine, Long Beach, or Orange, California offices. Call (888) 501-4496 to schedule an appointment today.