I was asked to appear on television this week to talk about foods you can eat to help save your sight. It’s something I’m very interested in, as I come from a family with a strong history of cataracts and eye disorders and have worn contacts since I can remember. In fact, I blogged about this a few months ago, after getting some good advice from my opthamologist. Now I’d like to revisit the topic, with a few more specific recommendations.
No. 1 threat to our vision: AMD
As we age, the chances that we will suffer from an eye disorder increase significantly. By age 65, one in three adults will have a vision-impairing condition, and by age 80 that percentage rises to half of us. Many conditions are preventable and can be treated, but others lead to blindness.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among Americans over age 55. AMD is the breakdown of the macula—the small area in the retina at the back of the eye. It’s estimated that by age 75, some 30% will be afflicted with AMD. Oxidative damage—from sunlight, smoking, or everyday contaminants in the environment—are thought to stimulate the disease, which is why antioxidants are part of the preventive solution.
Research over the past few decades shows that eye health is linked to diet and lifestyle. Being overweight, smoking, having diabetes, eating a high-fat diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and low fruit and vegetable intake all increase the risk of eye diseases.
Next page: So what should we eat?
Comments (4)
At the risk of sounding like a “Doubting Thomas”, I must share my personal experience… I am 51 and am scheduled to have my cataracts removed in a few months. I love spinach and broccoli, as well as tomatoes and many other veggies on the eye-friendly list, and yet, here I am facing surgery for cataract removal at a relatively young age.
I may be a victim of a bad gene pool; my father was the same age when his cataracts had to be removed. 30 years later my father is now blind with both dry and the wet-version of Mac Deg.
Based on your research, what can you tell people like me who have a genetic prediposition, and already “eat right”? Will the additional supplements help?
good
save to my Bookmarks ;)
I have had catracts removed from my right eye last Nov and it still hasn’t healed properly. The doctors says there is a cornea problem. Is anyone out there who has any suggestions for a natural cure. Some days it feels like sand in my eyes and other days are OK. Do you agree that alcohol and sugar have negative effects on the eyes>>>> Jan