What foods are good for the eyes in old age? Doctor-medic Bányai informed

Certain nutrients and foods help to protect the eyes and strengthen vision. But which foods are particularly good for the eyes? In this article, you will learn which foods are particularly beneficial for the eyes, especially in old age.

Why you should pay even more attention to your eyes in old age

With age, not only the general physical health changes, but also that of the eyes. Aging processes affect, for example, the lens of the eye, the ciliary muscle and the retina, which can lead to deterioration of vision.

Diseases such as cataract (cataract), macular degeneration (loss of central vision) and glaucoma (cataract) are more common and significantly impair vision.

Presbyopia is also noticeable in many people from the age of 40, as the lens loses its elasticity.

Regular eye checks are therefore becoming increasingly important in order to detect and treat vision problems at an early stage. Many eye diseases progress unnoticed and can lead to permanent damage if not diagnosed in time.

In addition, the combination of age and unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking or an unhealthy diet, can put additional strain on the eyes.

Conversely, however, this also means that we have options for the prevention of certain eye diseases that need to be known and used. An important aspect of this is the diet, which will be discussed in the following section.

Healthy nutrition for healthy eyes – here the eye eats with

Certain nutrients and foods are considered particularly beneficial for eye health. Vitamin A, for example, is crucial for seeing in the dark and protecting the cornea.

It is mainly found in foods such as carrots, spinach and cabbage. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel support retinal health and prevent dry eyes.

Antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E help protect the cells of the eyes from oxidative stress and harmful environmental influences. These vitamins are found in citrus fruits, peppers, nuts and seeds.

Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found in kale, broccoli and corn, act as a natural sunscreen and protect the lens of the eye from UV radiation.

Listed – Foods that can promote eye health:

• Bell pepper
• Carrots
• Beetroot
• Broccoli
• Lettuce
• Citrus fruits
• Spinach
• Peas
• Kale

Source: Berufsverband der Augenärzte Deutschlands e.V.

Supplementation for better eyesight?

Patients always ask me in the practice what foods and preparations they should take to improve their vision. Unfortunately, I always have to dampen expectations a bit here.

Because it is already the case that a lack of certain nutrients can have negative effects on eye health and should be compensated for.

However, if all the necessary nutrients are already available in sufficient quantities (for example, because someone eats a healthy diet and is not affected by any pre-existing conditions), an excess of such substances does not help to improve vision.

How else to contribute to eye health?

In addition to nutrition, other factors also play an important role in eye health. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective measures to reduce the risk of eye disease, as smoking worsens eye circulation and increases the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Regular exercise, on the other hand, is beneficial for blood circulation, so being physically active can also contribute to eye health.
Regular eye examinations help to detect and treat changes in vision at an early stage.

Protecting the eyes from harmful UV radiation by wearing sunglasses with UV protection is also important, as excessive sun exposure can damage the eyes. In addition, it makes sense to take regular screen breaks and to make sure that the surface of the eye does not dry out by consuming enough fluid.

When natural vision declines: eye lasers as a modern solution

If, despite all these measures, visual disturbances such as presbyopia, nearsightedness or farsightedness develop, a precisely performed laser treatment can bring a new quality of life. In our eye laser centres in Karlsruhe and Stuttgart, we advise you individually and find the right treatment together with you – gently, safely and tailored to your needs.