Although carrots alone do not supply all of the necessary nutrition for your eyes and vision system, Mom was definitely on the right track!

A growing body of research offers evidence that good nutrition can aid in treatment of several vision deteriorating conditions. According to Dr. Howard Barnebey, an ophthalmologist for the Better Vision Institute Advisory Council, “Foods and dietary supplements that contain certain minerals and antioxidant vitamins such as A, B, C and E—are well known for preventing illness and cell deteriorations and damage throughout the body.”  Dr. Barnebey explains, “The eyes are no exception.”

Likewise, foods that cause damage to other organs typically have a negative impact on your eyes as well. Caffeine, alcohol and smoking are known contributors to dry eye, retinal disease and cataracts, respectively.

Combat cataracts with anti-oxidants

Cataracts, the leading cause of blindness in Americans over the age of 65, result from the gradual clouding of the eye’s lens and cause hazy, blurred vision—much like trying to look through a dirty window.

• Antioxidant Vitamins C and E may help to prevent cataracts by countering free radicals, the damaging molecules that can injure eye cells.

• Vitamin B, may also help prevent vision loss as a result of cataracts. Also called thiamin, vitamin B helps to maintain the health of the optic nerve.

• Researchers now believe that individuals who have diets high in Carotenoids — vegetable pigment molecules — such as lutein and zeaxanthin can help prevent damage to the eye by filtering ultraviolet (UV) light, which is a contributor to cataract development.

Allen Taylor, Ph.D., director of the lab for Nutrition and Vision at Tufts University, and his colleagues studied 600 women from the Nurses Health Study. They obtained 15 years of dietary information and performed eye exams using the Lens Opacities Classification System. They concluded that women who had used Vitamin C supplements showed a 54 percent lower prevalence of earlier (nuclear) cataract than those women who never used Vitamin C supplements.

Patients who increased their intake of Vitamin C through foods as opposed to supplements also showed the same benefit. Also important is blood sugar control for diabetics, since uncontrolled blood sugar can result in cataracts.

Adequate sunglasses also offer the eyes protection from damaging ultra-violet (UV) rays-long known to be a leading contributor to cataract development.

Alleviate the effects of macular degeneration with carotenoids

Macular degeneration is caused by the rupturing of minute blood vessels in the central portion of the eye and is marked by faded, distorted or blurred central vision.

The carotenoid lutein is concentrated in the macula, or vision center, of the eye, and deficiencies of macular lutein have been linked with risk factors for macular disease. Dr. Seddon a professor in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and clinical director at Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Infirmary conducted a study that demonstrated patients who increased their dietary intake of foods and or supplements high in lutein showed an improvement in their visual function. 

The National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) conducted locally by Dr. Paul Beer of Albany Medical College, is one of several nationwide studies that our practice has elected to participate with through patient referral. The focus of the study is to determine the value of dietary changes as they relate to vision loss from macular degeneration in hopes slowing, stopping or reversing the disease.

It all starts with a healthy diet…

The human body is not always capable of producing each necessary vitamin and mineral.  People who want to increase their intake of these necessary elements should start with what they eat and use supplements to fill in the cracks.

It is important to consult with your doctor prior to making dramatic changes to your diet.  Not only can supplements cause side effects or reactions, but also high doses of some vitamins and nutrients can be extremely toxic.

…And a healthy lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is important for good, overall health! You should not only focus on getting essential vitamins, but also on minimizing saturated fats and alcohol, drinking several glasses of water daily and stopping smoking. All of these actions will help your body to stay healthy—and that includes your vision system.

Susan Halstead is a nationally and New York State Licensed Optician at Family Vision Care Center, 205 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Susan can reached for comments or further questions via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone at 584-6111.