5 Important Vitamins for Eye Health

From glaucoma to cataracts, there are a variety of conditions that can affect your sight. Although these conditions are caused by a number of factors, vitamins and nutrients have a major influence on maintaining eye health.

Vitamin A contributes to eye health by maintaining a clear cornea, which is the outside covering of the eye.

Vitamin A deficiencies can lead to xerophthalmia, a progressive eye disease that can cause irreversible blindness. Also, it protects against other eye conditions and is associated with a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Vitamin E is an essential antioxidant and helps protect cells, including eye cells, against damage caused by free radicals.

Studies have shown that, diets high in vitamin E prevent age-related cataracts. Vitamin E can be found in nuts, seeds, and cooking oils.

Like Vitamin E, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can protect cells against free radicals.

Vitamin C is also required to make collagen, a protein that provides structure to the cornea and sclera. Studies have associated Vitamin C with a reduced risk of developing cataracts.

A combination of vitamins B6, B9, and B12 can help lower levels of homocysteine, a protein often associated with inflammation and an increased risk of developing AMD.

One clinical study in women demonstrated a 34% reduced risk of developing AMD while consuming 1,000 mg of each of these vitamins.

Riboflavin is another antioxidant that can help prevent oxidative stress in the body. Prolonged riboflavin deficiency is also associated with an increased risks of cataracts.

Experts recommend consuming 1.1-1.3 mg of riboflavin per day. Fortunately, many foods are high in riboflavin, including oats, milk, and yogurt.

Maintaining eye health is important to reduce your risk of developing eye-related conditions. The right vitamins and nutrients can have a significant influence on the progression of certain eye conditions.