VISION QUEST

BY SALLY KARLOVITZ, CN

ONE OF THE MOST

common health issues we face as we age is vision impairment. Environmental stresses, excessive screen use, and chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes can all contribute to wear and tear in the eyes. Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are leading causes of blindness and visual impairment among millions of aging Americans. Taking steps now to protect your eyes can lead to healthy vision for years to come.

When it comes to nutrition, there are many things considered to be helpful for eye health, with antioxidants leading the way as major players in vision protection. A large study by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the AREDS study, showed that people may benefit from vitamins C, E, and beta carotene, as well as zinc and copper, to reduce the risk of vision loss caused by intermediate to advanced macular degeneration. In the AREDS2 follow-up, other helpful nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin were added to protect eye health. These antioxidant carotenes are found in green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. Both are concentrated in the macula of the eye and have been shown to lower risk of macular degeneration by more than 50 percent. Finally, the herb bilberry, a cousin to the American blueberry, may also be helpful in preventing vision loss related to macular degeneration. Bilberry is also rich in compounds that strengthen the walls of the capillaries leading into the eyes and is commonly used to improve night vision.

In addition to antioxidant intake, lifestyle factors play a role in preserving eye health. This includes controlling blood sugar if you are diabetic and managing blood pressure if you have hypertension. With antioxidant protection and lifestyle modification, the quest for vision preservation is possible!

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