Vitamins are Vital to Keeping your Vision Crisp Long-Term!

Maintaining sharp vision requires more effort than eating heaps of carrots. In reality, preserving eye health involves upping your daily dosage of a host of vitamins and minerals.

During your annual exam, your eye doctor at Complete Eye Care can help you determine which nutrients are essential for you. Until then, consider which vitamins and minerals you should be incorporating into your diet and routine.

If you have a relative with Macular Degeneration, you are 50% more likely to develop Age-Related Macular Degeneration compared with people who don’t have relatives with this disease. It’s important to get all of your Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, and Diabetic Retinopathy screenings along with your yearly eye exam, so you and your doctor at Complete Eye Care can slow the progression of any vision loss!

VITAMINS & MINERALS

• Vitamin A: Preserves a clear cornea and contributes to seeing in low light. It may also be linked to a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

• Vitamin E: Protects cells from free radicals, or harmful molecules that would otherwise cause damage. It is used in multiple daily supplements as a possible treatment for AMD and may reduce the risk of cataracts.

• Vitamin C: Protects cells from free radicals. It is required to make collagen, a protein that provides structure to the sclera and cornea of the eye. It may also reduce the risk of cataracts.

• Thiamine – Vitamin B1: Promotes proper cell function and aids converting food into energy. Consuming enough in your diet is related to a reduced risk of cataracts and has been used as a potential treatment for the early stages of DR.

• Riboflavin – Vitamin B2: Aids in reducing oxidative stress in the eyes and can lower the risk of cataracts.

• Niacin – Vitamin B3: Helps convert food to energy. In the eyes, it may help prevent glaucoma. However, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. An excess of niacin may cause cornea inflammation, macular damage, or blurred vision.

• Vitamins B6, B9, and B12: Combine to generate lower levels of homocysteine, a protein associated with inflammation.

• Lutein & Zeaxanthin: Filters potentially harmful blue light and prevents eye damage. Additionally, there have been reports of these nutrients being related to prevention and help with cataracts.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Increases tear production and reduces inflammation of the eyes.

• Zinc: Hinders night sight when you have a deficiency. However, consuming more won’t help you see in the dark any better.

DIET & MULTIVITAMINS

If you consume a diverse spread of vegetables, fruit, and protein, you won’t need additional supplementation. Try incorporating these foods into your diet: leafy green vegetables, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, mushrooms, citrus and tropical fruits, nuts, seeds, cooking oils, avocado, whole grains, meat, fish, milk, yogurt. The Lawton Farmers’ Market is a great place to pick up fresh produce full of flavor and nutrients.

If you’re a picky eater or just not getting enough of one or more of these vitamins, you’re in luck! Find a mixture of these nutrients in popular multivitamins used to treat certain eye diseases and promote eye health. A few of our favorites include:

• MesoPlus Formula– MaxiVision: This vitamin supports general eye health

• Whole Body Formula – MaxiVision: This vitamin is best for individuals who don’t already take a daily vitamin and still need the extra support for eye health.

If you think you may benefit from one of these supplements, make an appointment at Complete Eye Care. Dr. Chris Swanson, Dr. Shane Claborn, Dr. Brandon Ross or Dr. Laura England can talk through the options for your unique eye health needs.

Our Lawton location is near you! We are located at 4250 NW Cache Road, right next Arvest Bank and right in front of Lowes.