Imagine you’re driving and then suddenly everything goes dark. You slam on the breaks and raise your hands to your face. You see nothing. No shadows, no outlines, just nothing. Scary right? Losing your eyesight, whether gradually or suddenly, is terrifying. Your vision keeps your mind sharp, safe, and aware of your surroundings. Without your sight, life would be so different. That’s why eye health is so important.
Did you know, nearly 4.2 million Americans over 40 are visually impaired? Another 24.4 million Americans suffer from cataracts? Eye diseases/complications are mostly preventable, yet few adults prioritize their eye health! If you’re wondering, “How can I take care of my eyes?”, you can start with eating the right foods that can directly impact your eye health.
Six nutrients that will optimize your eye health:
- Eat food high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and say goodbye to artificial tears! It improves the production of oil film by the meibomian glands on the edge of your eyelid.
- Get more Vitamin C.It supports the health of blood vessels in the eye and lowers the risk of cataracts.
- Take Lutein and Zeaxanthin found in leafy greens. Lutein and Zeaxanthin have anti-inflammatory properties that filter harmful high-energy light and improve/prevent age-related vision loss and blindness.
- Take more Vitamin E. It protects your eyes from damage caused by free radicals, which break down healthy eye tissue.
- Have more sweet potatoes, which are rich in Vitamin A. Vitamin A clears the outside covering of your eye (cornea) and supports vision during low light conditions.
- Hire a “helper molecule” like Zinc. This trace mineral transports vitamin A from the liver to the retina.
If you want to maintain and improve your senior lifestyle and eye health, nourish yourself. What you eat will affect your general health but, most importantly, your eyes. These nutrients will protect, optimize, and reduce the risk of developing age-related eye diseases. Many eye problems/diseases are preventable and treatable if caught early. Visit an optometrist and schedule a dilated eye exam to check for common eye issues.
If you need a new eyewear set or have some general questions about your eye health, contact our Approved Vendor, Medical Arts Optical Services. Located in Daytona Beach, this highly-rated vision center goes above and beyond for the senior community.
Schedule your eye check-up or call them at 386-200-9101. They are located at Halifax Hospital Professional Center.
