As you likely know, there isn’t some sort of magical pill that can instantly improve our eyesight (not yet, anyway). However, while we can’t correct vision without the help of lenses or surgery, there are some simple steps you can take to help improve your eyesight and eye health.
Steps to help improve your eyesight
The best way to improve your eyesight naturally is to give your eyes what they need to be healthy. A steady supply of nutritious foods and vitamins keeps your eyes — and your body in general — at their peak.
Antioxidants and vitamins for the eyes
Two common vitamins and antioxidants that may help improve eyesight include:
- Lutein and zeaxanthin, nutrients you can find in eggs and green leafy vegetables.
- Vitamin A, which you can find in carrots, spinach, and many fortified cereals (deficiencies of Vitamin A can hurt our supply of a pigment called rhodopsin that’s critical for seeing in low light).
Lutein is a pigment found in high concentrations in a layer of the retina where pigment-packed cells help shield against excess light. Solid scientific research shows that lutein supplementation aids this process in our eyes to naturally improve vision.
Fortunately, lutein is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables such as spinach, kale, and Swiss chard.
Other types of food for your eyes
Many of the vitamins and antioxidants that improve eyesight naturally are found in common foods, including:
- Swiss chard, zucchini, and brussel sprouts (lutein)
- Sweet potatoes and butter (vitamin A)
- Carrots, kale, spinach, and collard greens (vitamin A and lutein)
- Liver (vitamin A), including cod liver oil
Can eye exercises help me?
Many eye exercises are touted as ways to naturally improve eyesight and overcome nearsightedness.
However, none of these exercises are verified to have more than anecdotal or placebo results. While vision therapy is a serious area of optometry that addresses problems with alignment, tracking and strain, there’s no sound evidence that vision exercises can affect clarity.
We can’t correct our vision without professional help, and there’s no quick-and-easy fix for eyesight problems. But with tools such as good nutrition and diet, you can still help your eyesight naturally and on your own. As always, speak with your eye doctor.
Nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the recommendations of a medical professional. For specific questions, please see your eye care practitioner.
Source of original article: http://coopervision.ca/eye-health-and-vision/can-you-improve-your-eyesight-naturally