Keeping your eyes healthy is a lot like keeping the rest of your body healthy – it’s all about what you put in it.
According to allaboutvision.com, nutrition for healthy eyes looks like this:
- 5 to 9 servings of fruits and veggies a day
- 3 servings of 100 percent whole grains daily
- 2 servings of fish each week
- Consume only as many calories as needed to maintain a healthy weight (this will vary based on your individual activity level and metabolism)
Dark green vegetables and colorful fruits provide eye-friendly antioxidants. They also provide folic acid and calcium, which may help reduce your risk of cataracts.
Try to avoid fried foods and watch those carbs. A study found that individuals who consume large amounts of carbohydrates had more than three times the risk for cataracts than those with a lower carb intake. Overly processed foods, sugary snacks and soft drinks are also associated with the development of cataracts (as well as a lot of other unpleasant health issues).
Basically, just eat the way you know you should, not the way many of us want to.
Another step you can take to reduce cataract risk is shielding your eyes from UV rays. Yes, combating cataracts essentially boils down to eat well and wear sunglasses…
Polarized sunglasses are best as they provide 100 percent UV protection. (They also come in a wide array of styles, so you should, you know, visit our optical shop.) Some people find it easier to use Transitions lenses or other photochromic lenses that darken automatically in sunlight, eliminating the need for switching between regular glasses and sunglasses. UV contact lenses are also an option, but they should only be considered supplemental protection as they only protect the portion of your eye covered by the lens.
We can’t promise you won’t develop cataracts by following these suggestions, but you will reduce your risk of developing them. Plus, a healthy diet helps maintain better health overall. And everyone looks cooler in sunglasses.
