Eating healthier in 2021? Your eyes will thank you!

If your New Year’s resolutions include eating healthier, here’s another reason to put that at the top of your list: eating the right foods can help protect your vision as well as benefit your overall health. Research says that a vitamin-rich diet is linked to a lower risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and perhaps even dry eyes. At Atlantic Eye, we know that good nutrition plays an important role in maintaining healthy eyes, and we encourage you to talk with your ophthalmologist about your diet and any supplements you’re taking.

Foods rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be especially beneficial to eye health. Many familiar and widely available foods are good sources of these eye-healthy nutrients:

Vitamin C: oranges, grapefruit, kiwifruit, strawberries, tomatoes, red and green peppers, and broccoli.

Vitamin E: almonds, sunflower seeds, olive oil, and avocadoes.

Zinc: Legumes (beans and lentils), seeds, meat/seafood, dairy, and eggs.

Lutein and zeaxanthin: part of the “carotenoid” family of plant pigments, these nutrients are found naturally in the retina—the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. Find lutein and zeaxanthin in leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, and swiss chard. Broccoli, asparagus, and colorful fruits like raspberries, papaya, peaches, and mangoes are also chock-full of eye-healthy carotenoids.

Omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids: oily fish (like salmon, trout, sardines), and nuts and oils for Omega-6.

Including more of these foods in our diets and reducing sugar and salt-heavy choices is the way to go for promoting and maintaining your eye health.

Remember, a comprehensive eye exam is the first step to your overall eye health. We continue to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols to protect our patients and staff. Call us at (732) 222-7373 to schedule your appointment.