Nutrition and your vision – yes they are linked!

Most of the time we do not think about the health of our eyes until something has gone wrong. It is easy to put problems to the back of your mind or even not have a clue that something is wrong until we get a warning sign such as vision disturbance. A lot of patients that we see could have prevented or kept at bay their condition by following some simple tips. In this blog we will be focusing on nutrition!

There is now strong evidence to suggest that a good diet can help to reduce your risk of certain eye diseases such as Macula degeneration. Macula degeneration causes blurred and reduced central vision due to the macula thinning.

The RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) have identified a direct link between obesity and common eye conditions that can lead to blindness. In the UK it is estimated that there are 10 million adults and 2 million children that are obese and therefore twice as likely to lose their sight.

Every knows that a healthy diet is the key to having a healthy body, and that includes the health of your eyes! Nutrients such as zinc, vitamin C and E, lutein and omega-3 fatty acids can all help to reduce your risk of developing diseases in the eye that may lead to blindness. There is a list of foods that you should try to include in your diet:

• Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale
• Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna
• Non-meat protein such as eggs, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes
• Citrus fruit (juices or fruit) such as oranges and lemons

By sticking to a well-balanced diet, that includes lots of fruit and veg as well as unprocessed foods, you will also reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes has a strong link to glaucoma which can lead to problems with vision or even blindness if left untreated! Read more about glaucoma here.