1. Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays a crucial role in vision by maintaining a clear cornea, which is the outside covering of your eye. Some studies suggest that diets high in vitamin A may be associated with a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) For general eye health, vitamin-A-rich foods are recommended over supplements.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source, as are leafy green vegetables, pumpkins and bell peppers
What Is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A actually is a group of antioxidant compounds that play an important role in vision, bone growth and health of the immune system. Good food sources of provitamin A carotenoids include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale and cantaloupes.
Beta-carotene is one of the most prevalent and effective provitamin A carotenoids.
Who Is At Risk For Vitamin A Deficiency?
Vitamin A deficiency is a big problem in developing nations in Africa and Southeast Asia.
What Are The Symptoms Of Vitamin A Deficiency?
People with night blindness do not see well in the dark.
As the vitamin A deficiency worsens, the conjunctiva (the covering on the white of the eye that helps lubricate your eye) dries out. Then corneal ulcers (open sores) appear. A blood test can measure the amount of vitamin A in the blood.
For example, a parent may mention their child’s night blindness—a common sign.
How Is Vitamin A Deficiency Treated?
Vitamin A deficiency can be treated with vitamin A supplements. Vitamin A supplements can reverse night blindness. It can also help the eyes become lubricated again.
But vision loss caused by scarring from corneal ulcers cannot be reversed. There are organizations working to stop vitamin A deficiency in developing nations.