Eye health is an important area that needs extra care; to that end Dr. Anna Sui from PersonalEyes shares top tips to ensure maximum eye health.
Eyes are frequently referred to as “windows to the soul” and one of the most favoured features on a person. It is therefore no surprise that a large portion of cosmetics is devoted to enhancing the eyes and hundreds of dollars are spent on eyewear that best frames them. However little thought is often given to ways to internally nourish the eyes and what other steps to ensure bright, healthy eyes.
Dr Anna Sui, senior optometrist from PersonalEYES, Australia’s leading network of eye clinics says, “The food we eat impacts our tears and in turn, our broader eye health. It’s important to have a well-balanced diet filled with fresh fruit and vegetables and plenty of Omega 3 fats for top quality tears.”
On the list of essentials is fish, avocado and oysters, all foods that contribute to long-term eye health. A good diet can potentially prevent eyesight failure, cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a high source of vitamin C, carotenoids and lycopene, two nutrients that prevent eye damage through excessive light exposure.
- Avocados
“Avocados are filled with vitamins C, B6 and E and they’re rich in lutein, an antioxidant that helps your macula shield intensive and damaging light. They ward off macular degeneration and cataracts,” says Dr Anna.
- Orange Capsicum
Orange capsicums are high in vitamin A and packed with zeaxanthin, a carotenoid that decreases your chance of macular degeneration.
- Fishy friends and good oils
Cold water fish like mackerel, salmon and sardines are high in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid that may prevent the plaque that forms on the retina to cause macular degeneration.
- Oysters
Oysters are rich in zinc which can help reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Alternatively nuts like cashews are another great source of zinc.
- Spinach, kale and dark leafy greens
“Green vegetables, especially spinach, are rich in lutein, a carotenoid compound that helps fight cell damage to your macula,” says Dr Anna, “Dark leafy greens also contain high levels of zeaxanthin an antioxidant that helps your macula shield intensive and damaging light. They also help improve your long term vision with their nutrient packed goodness.”
- Fruits high in Vitamin C & A
Fruits high in Vitamin C such as oranges, strawberries and raspberries nurture the eyes and produce healthy, glowing skin – especially in the areas surrounding your cornea and lens.
To maximise eye health it’s important to sleep well to ensure that eyes get the rest they need and flush out irritants that have been collected throughout the day. Booking regular appointments with your local optometrist can help monitor for potential eye conditions and maintain general eye health. Lastly it’s essential to stop unhealthy habits such as smoking, which is known to increase chances of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Visit PersonalEYES to learn more ways to maintain your eye health.
