It has often been said “The face is the portrait of the mind; the eyes, its informers.” This ancient Latin proverb actually has some truth to it. The eyes can give lots of information to what is actually happening inside our bodies. People with liver detoxification problems may have bland eyes with brown spots in them. This could be a sign of poor liver health. To an eye specialist, bright eyes are an indicator of good health. We must do our best to keep our eyes as bright and healthy as possible. One way of doing this is through diet. The foods we eat can either help or hinder the health of our eyes, the windows to the soul.
Five Foods That Help Our Eyes
As children, we heard Grandma say, “Now make sure you eat all your vegetables, because they are good for your eyes,” or something similar. Now, science is proving many of these old wives tales to be true. Certain foods can contribute greatly to the health and wellbeing of your eyes and eyesight.
Carrots
Carrots are rich in beta carotene, one of the most common carotenoids. Beta carotene is absorbed into our body and converted into Vitamin A, which is extremely beneficial to the retina. The carotenoids in the eye absorb all the blue and ultraviolet light, protecting the macula of the retina, the part of the eye with the strongest vision.
Almonds
Almonds are loaded with Vitamin E. This protects healthy eye tissue from degenerating as we get older, slowing macular degeneration. One handful of almonds will give you your daily dose of Vitamin E. A topical application can also be used to treat black circles under the eyes by stimulating blood flow and revitalizing skin cells.
Salmon
Salmon is also beneficial to the health of your eyes. It contains huge amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids and large amounts of DHA, a fatty acid found in our retinas. A large intake of fatty acids helps prevent the malady known as ‘dry eye’. Salmon has greater amounts of fatty acids than any other type of fish or seafood.
Eggs
Eggs aren’t just great for breakfast – they are also great for your eyes. The yolk is loaded with zinc, a mineral which also helps prevent the onslaught of macular degeneration. Egg yolk also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two of the carotenoids and antioxidants found within the retina.
Leafy Greens
Leafy green foods like salad greens, kale, and avocados, are all packed with lutein and zeaxanthin, the same antioxidants found in egg yolks. They help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts by keeping the retinas stronger. A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye. It leads to a decrease in vision and sometimes blindness.
Eating the right foods can go a long way to maintaining the health of your eyes, and in preventing cataracts. If you live in or near Fort Worth, see your eye specialist for advice on which foods to eat. They just might prevent you from needing another appointment at your cataract surgeon in the future.
Dr. Marvelli knows that your diet is important to the health of your eyes, and encourages you to make healthy choices. And where diet alone is not enough to improve your vision, Dr. Marvelli is here to help. Contact our offices today at 817-346-7333.
