The Power of Vitamins in Eyesight!
It’s important to make sure that you’re consuming enough natural vitamins in order to maintain your eyesight
Most of you have probably heard the old wives tale that carrots can improve your eyesight or night vision. There are also a number of other myths that have been strewn around pertaining to eye health and sight. Below is a list of other myths that have been spread through generations:
- Sitting too close to the TV makes your eyes square, or wrecks your eyesight
- Reading in a dark room can ruin your eyesight
- Eye exercises can improve eyesight
- Wearing glasses frequently can increase the eye’s dependency on them
All of these myths are completely untrue and were either extrapolated from parent’s wanting to influence healthy habits or simply incorrect information. Here at Dr Peter A. Martin located in Sydney we strive to educate our patients on the complexities of the eye, and that means debunking myths regarding eyesight and ensuring proper treatment.
So how do I actually take care of my eyes?
There was a study performed by Blue Mountains in Australia which delved into these myths and debunked them with firm evidence. It was found that eating carrots did not improve eyesight in any marginal sense. The assumed cause of decreased quality of eyesight is a vitamin deficiency which is caused by a lack of a balanced diet. In this sense carrots can somewhat increase your quality of eyesight but only because of their vitamin components.
How do I ensure I’m getting enough vitamins to maintain my eyesight?
There are a number of foods that contain high concentrations of vitamin A. These foods include:
- Liver
- Dried Herbs, Paprika, Chili Powder and Red pepper
- Sweet Potato
- Carrots
- Leafy Greens (such as spinach and broccoli)
- Butternut Pumpkin
- Dried Apricots
- Rockmelon/Cantaloupe
These foods are all high in vitamin a and you can see a common trait in almost all of them. Orange seems to be the key component when it comes to food with vitamin A so when you’re doing your grocery shopping remember to shop healthy, and shop orange. However, it’s important to remember that if you are already receiving enough vitamin a, that any more will not further improve the effects – just like taking vitamins when you’re already receiving your required intake will do nothing for your health.
I have an already established eye disorder, can vitamins reverse this?
Unfortunately there has been no proof supporting the reversal of eye disorders utilising vitamins as most eye disorders are simply an effect of age and deterioration. However, it’s still important to have a good intake of vitamin a (and zinc and iron) so that you can maintain a healthy body and possible even reduce the risks of your disorder worsening. Here at Dr Peter a. Martin’s eye clinic we have special interest in general ophthalmic procedures as well as more specialised eye problems. We provide premium treatments to patients that are suffering from glaucoma, cataracts, Pterygium and strabismus as well as a large number of other perform and cosmetic based eye concerns.
There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your eyes are at their optimum health. These steps include eating a well-balanced diet with vitamin a, being precise about noticing any differences in eyesight or the appearance of the eye and finally and most importantly regular check-ups with your eye doctor at Dr Peter A. Martin – especially if you have a history of eye disorders in your family.
In order to make an appointment with Dr Peter Martin please do not hesitate to contact us.
