Nutrition and preventative measures can preserve sight

October 19, 2009

Could an apple a day save your eyesight? Three might. The Eyecare Trust suggests that eating three servings of fruit a day could reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the U.S., according to an article in the Daily Mail.

Leafy green vegetables, carrots, melons, tomatoes, red peppers and blueberries are all especially beneficial to eye health, Iain Anderson, chairman of The Eyecare Trust, told the news source.

Vitamin C could also be beneficial. A study at Tufts University found that Vitamin C supplementation reduced the risk of developing cataracts by 77 percent and AMD by 25 percent,

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), there are other steps patients can take to preserve their eye health. Both cataracts and AMD can be prevented by wearing sunglasses to limit exposure to harmful UV rays. In addition, monitoring blood pressure, limiting or quitting smoking and making sure to eat a range of leafy green vegetables could all help prevent eye disease.

Patients who notice a change in vision, such as an increase in glare, trouble seeing at night or a change in their color vision should immediately see an eye care professional.