This isn’t an easy topic to write about nor is it an easy topic to find information about since it’s quite complex.
1. Vitamin A
Vitamin A deficiency is rare in developed countries, but if unaddressed can lead to a serious condition called xerophthalmia. Xerophthalmia is a progressive eye disease which begins with night blindness. If vitamin A deficiency continues, your tear ducts and eyes can dry out.
Eventually, your cornea softens, resulting in irreversible blindness ( 1 , 2). Sweet potatoes are an excellent source, as are leafy green vegetables, pumpkins and bell peppers Summary Severe vitamin A deficiency can lead to xerophthalmia, a serious condition that can result in blindness.
Overview
Robably heard someone say, “Eat your carrots, they’re good for your eyes.” You may have also seen advertisements for nutritional supplements for eye health. Plenty of claims are made about the positive effects of supplements on vision and eye health, but very few research studies support these claims. These are large studies conducted by the National Eye Institute.
Results from AREDS 2 took what was learned from AREDS and improved the supplement recommendations. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States. It affects more than 10 million people.
It’s mainly associated with aging, but some forms of macular degeneration affect younger people as well. Amd occurs when there’s deterioration of light-sensitive cells in the macula area of the retina. It may impair your ability to see well enough to perform daily tasks and can become worse over time.
Recommended supplements
AREDS and AREDS2 looked at the effects of high doses of several antioxidants taken together for several years. The final recommendations from AREDS2 were:
vitamin C 500 mg vitamin E 400 IU lutein 10 mg zeaxanthin 2 mg zinc 80 mg copper 2 mg (taken to prevent copper deficiency caused by zinc)
This supplement formulation is available in capsule form and is usually taken twice daily. Each participant took the supplement daily for five years.
In study participants, the risk of AMD and serious vision loss was reduced by 25 percent over six years. Supplements were not effective for people with mild or very advanced stages.
You Are Here
Many of us try to eat the right foods to slim down and get into shape, but our vision is important too.
Does A Carrot A Day Keep The Optometrist Away?
Let’s separate fact from fiction and get the straight info on vitamins for the eyes.
Vision Supplements In Multivitamins
Earch suggesting that certain nutrients can help delay or prevent eye problems and disease. You may also have heard a lot of claims for over-the-counter (OTC) vision supplements containing these nutrients — and claims for others that have not been tested in clinical studies.
Regardless of dosage, supplements are not a cure for health problems or a substitute for medication your doctor has recommended.