Foods that improve and worsen eye health

Diet plays a major role in the development of issues such as cataracts, clouding of the eye lens, dry eyes, and glaucoma. Certain foods help fight off these issues while others exacerbate them. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can help us ensure strong eye health in the future. 

Some foods that can benefit the eyes include:

Carrots

Carrots contain beta-carotene, which the body breaks down into Vitamin A, a vital substance for eye health. When our Vitamin A levels are too low, we become susceptible to conditions such as dry eye, scarring of the cornea, night blindness, and vision loss. 

Dark leafy greens

Vegetables such as kale, spinach, and broccoli are known for their dark green hue. More importantly, they contain high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that are vital for proper retina function. These antioxidants’ main function is to protect the retina from blue light damage. 

Red peppers

Red and orange-colored vegetables and fruit, such as bell peppers, oranges, strawberries, broccoli, and kiwi are full of Vitamin C, which has vital antioxidants that prevent the development of cataracts. 

Worst foods for eye health:

Bread and Pasta

Data shows that simple carbohydrates from foods like white bread and pasta are linked to an increased likelihood of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This condition is one of the drivers of vision loss in adults. White carbohydrates spike blood sugar too quickly, meaning that patients can greatly improve their eye health (and overall health) by choosing carbs with a lower glycemic load. 

Processed meats

Processed meats, often found in hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats, have incredibly high amounts of sodium. These high levels of sodium can lead to hypertension which can cause problems in the eye, such as:

• Hypertensive retinopathy
• Choroidopathy
• Neuropathy

Deep-fried foods

Deep-fried foods raise our cholesterol levels, leading to issues such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. They also induce the proliferation of molecules known as free radicals, which damage and kill cells throughout the body. This process also has an effect on eye health. Patients can prevent this by cutting down on fried foods and eating more fruits and vegetables. 

What is the takeaway? 

There are numerous ways in which we can protect the health of our eyes. Eating a healthy diet is one of the easiest steps we can take. Natural food is the right fuel to keep the body and eyes in a healthy state.