Eating and Eye Health: What’s Up Doc?

It turns out Bugs Bunny had it right: Eating carrots is good for your eyes. But there’s a little more to the story. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, or undergoing vitamin therapy, can have a positive effect on some eye disorders, but it won’t affect common issues like near- and far-sightedness.

Eating a diet that’s rich in antioxidants isn’t going to eliminate the effect age has on your eyes, but it might be able to prevent or slow the progression of several common eye diseases.

It is also important not to underestimate the value of eye exams; annual visits to an eye care practitioner are necessary to promote healthy eyes and normal vision. People over age 55 should have annual eye exams, and children should have eye exams prior to beginning first grade and every year until age 18. Routine eye exams include a comprehensive vision assessment and screenings for eye conditions including glaucoma, cataracts and retinal diseases.

Macular Degeneration. This most common cause of vision loss in people over 65 was the focus of AREDS (age-related eye disease study), which showed a 25% decrease in the disease’s progression among participants taking vitamins A, C and E, and zinc. Those results haven’t been corroborated, but Dr. Smith does prescribe vitamin therapy for macular degeneration patients who don’t get enough of those nutrients through their regular diet.

“The best way to get nutrients is always through diet, but most people don’t have the recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables a day—not even me,” she says.

Cataracts. This clouding of eye’s lens, also seen most frequently in older people, may be reduced by a diet high in antioxidants, including vitamin C and lutein, which is found in leafy green vegetables like spinach.

Diabetic Retinopathy. This condition, often caused by poorly controlled blood sugar management, won’t be affected by vitamin therapy. Diabetics must keep their blood sugar and blood pressure levels under control.

Dry Eye. Ingesting omega 3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil and flaxseed oil, may provide help for dry eye sufferers. Adding two servings of fish per week, particularly salmon can help reduce your risk.

Following a healthy diet benefits your entire body, but there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to stave off eye issues simply by eating well. Since there is a chance to prevent or slow the progression of some eye diseases through diet, it makes sense to choose healthy foods as often as possible.

Melissa Smith, M.D., treats many patients with macular degeneration and cataracts and is a Lasik specialist. Her office is at Sutter Regional Medical Foundation’s Vacaville Care Center at 770 Mason Street. Appointments can be made by calling 707-427-4900.