Our eyes are considered to be one of the very important organs in our body. It allows us to experience the beauty of what life has to offer.  It gives us the chance to see the faces of our loved ones, bask in nature’s wonders, and witness life’s miracles. There is just too much to see in this world that we could not simply take our ability to see things for granted.

While developing poor eyesight is commonly associated with old age, young people get too careless of their eye health and take their sharp vision for granted. We do not realize that there are a lot of factors to consider that could lead to poor eyesight. Some causes include poor reading habits and long hours of exposure to digital devices such as computers and cell phones. Not only that, long-term exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays as well as other environmental pollution can affect eye health. The best ways to protect the eyes from further damage and to boost visual health is by taking in nutrient-rich foods that could improve your eyesight.

• Vitamin C-Rich Foods. Bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, parsley and strawberries are just some examples of foods that are rich in Vitamin C. It very popular among everyone because of its innumerable health benefits especially by being a key ingredient in better eye health.  At the same time, it helps in many age-related problems like in the development of cataracts. It even helps in delaying macular degeneration which has no cure. Vitamin C also boosts blood circulation, thus making sure that the eyes receive a constant supply of nutrients. Furthermore, Vitamin C has long been known to help boost the function of the immune system.
  
  
• Vitamin E-Rich Foods. Dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, whole grains, brown rice, nuts, seeds and legumes are some foods rich in Vitamin E. Oily fish also contains the vitamin. Like Vitamin C, Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that is beneficial for eye health. Studies have shown that these vitamins lower the risk of developing cataracts as well as preventing eye damage because of too much exposure to the sun and cigarette smoke. Vitamin E also helps prevent macular degeneration and optimizes eye health.

• Zinc. Kelp, fish, mushrooms, pecans, poultry, legumes, lima beans, and whole grains are types of foods that contain Zinc. It is also found in whole wheat, oysters, and oat. Zinc enables the retina to function properly. This is the reason why it is considered to be an important nutrient for better eye health. The role of zinc in easing macular degeneration has been thoroughly studied, and the deficiency in such may cause deterioration of the macula. At the same time, zinc helps in the release of Vitamin A from the liver to be delivered to the eye tissues.
  
  
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are commonly found in salmon, fish oil, flax seeds and chia seeds. It is known to help enhance eye health, especially if the right amount of such acids is taken. One food that is known to contain much omega-3 is salmon. Not only that, it also contains high amounts of Vitamin A and D. Add all these together and you get maximum benefit to help improve brain function and optimize eye health. Just add 2 – 3 servings of fresh salmon to your daily diet and you’re all good.
  
  
•  Garlic. While garlic is widely known to ease high blood pressure, skin disorders and antimicrobial actions, it can also contribute to better eye sight. One factor of poor eyesight is due to poor circulation in the body. Eating garlic helps boost the flow of blood, and makes the immune system stronger. Although garlic is mostly used to enhance the aroma and flavor of a meal when cooking, eating it raw can contribute to the health of our eyes because of its sulfur content that makes the lenses of the eyes resilient and strong. Also, fresh and raw garlic appears to be more potent than cooked ones.
  
  
• Dark Chocolate. One food that is not just plain delicious but healthy as well is dark chocolate. Known for its antioxidant properties that fight off free radicals, it also contains flavonoids which greatly contribute to a healthy heart. Flavonoids on dark chocolate also help in protecting the blood vessels of the eyes which keeps the eye lenses and the cornea stronger even as one ages. When choosing dark chocolate, remember that the darker it is, the healthier it will be since it will have more cacao extracts which will give you the optimum benefits of dark chocolate.
  
  
• Green Leafy Vegetables. Consuming green leafy vegetables give a lot more benefit to the body, and one of these is for the eyes. The inclusion of green leafy vegetables to the diet is widely known, and vegetable such as kale, broccoli and spinach contains nutrients that are essential for the health of the eyes. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, high levels of antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin are contained in spinach, which are important to protect the eyes from degeneration.  Therefore, eating these leafy vegetables fresh is the best way to get the maximum benefits that you deserve.
  
  
• Bilberries. Also known to help in developing better vision are the bilberries. Aside from their antioxidant properties, these dark purple berries contain anthocyanosides that helps in decreasing the chances of developing a poor eyesight and vision loss by nourishing the tissues of the eyes. Aside from them being just tasty fruits that can be eaten raw, as a jam or jelly, they also increase blood supply to the eyes – and it is also a great source of nutrition to improve the eyesight.

There are many threats to the well being of our eye health, and if we do not give them proper care and attention, then we may as well live the rest of our lives visionless. However, with all the foods provided that is recommended for the improvement of the eyes, the simple habit of consuming these foods will keep your eyes sharp even as you age.

Sources
home-remedies-for-you.com
buzzle.com
sooperarticles.com
locateadoc.com
eye-exercises-for-good-vision.com