What should I eat to stop me from getting eye diseases?
We are continually reminded that eating a varied and balanced diet is the key to good general health and wellness but is it also important for the health of eyes? Few people would argue about the importance of having good vision but is there anything we can do to help ensure our eyes remain healthy throughout our life? There are a few general pieces of advice that should try to stick to and they are as follows:

Be wary of the following visual symptoms: If you ever experience either flashing lights in your vision, a sudden increase of floaters in your vision, a reduction in vision or any blind spots in your vision then you should seek medical advice immediately. All these symptoms could indicate the beginning of an eye disease which could lead to irreversible loss of vision if not treated. Make sure you get your eyes tested regularly: Regardless of whether or not you think there is anything wrong with your vision or eye health, you should get your eyes checked at least every 2 years. This will ensure that any potential problems with your eyes can be picked up and dealt with easily.

In term of diet and the eyes there are certainly some nutrients which are believed to be beneficial to the health of the eyes. Cataracts and Glaucoma are both eye diseases and it is thought that their progression can be slowed down by having a diet rich in certain anti oxidants. Cataracts cause a slow loss of vision due to the clouding of the naturally transparent lens within our eye. Macular degeneration affects the very central part of our retina (the macula) and can lead to untreatable loss of central vision. Cataracts are however treatable with a surgical procedure which is generally considered to be both safe and effective.

Which nutrients can help Cataracts and macular degeneration?
Both cataracts and macular degeneration are thought to occur as a result of free radical damage within the eye. Free radicals are produced as a result of natural processes within the eye and they can be reduced by increasing the amount of antioxidants within our diet. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are anti oxidant pigments that are found in both the lens and also the macular of our eyes. Fortunately both these nutrients are also found in a variety of vegetables so they can easily be incorporated into our diet. The following lists the best source of these nutrients in foods:

Generally any green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and lettuce. Courgettes (zucchini) also have high amounts of Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Peas. Green beans. Broccoli.

In summary if it is green and is a vegetable it is almost certain to contain the nutrients you need for healthy eyes! Having said this, these nutrients are not considered a miracle cure nor are there are guarantees that they will prevent you from getting eye diseases. They do however give your eyes every chance to be as healthy as they can be, especially if you combine this with a healthy life style where you do not smoke or drink excessively.