Healthy eyes are essential to life. For years, we've been told to eat our veggies. We've been told to take a multi-vitamin for our health. We know that vitamins are essential building blocks for our bodies from the cells to the skin and everything in between. We aren't told, though, how it works.
How Is The Eye Arranged?
It would help more people understand the need for vitamins if they knew how the eye was put together. Most people aren't aware that their eyes move because muscles make them move. Without muscles, the eyes would just roll around. You can't cross your eyes without muscles.
More people are familiar with the visible parts of the eyes. The cornea is clear and protects the eye. The iris is colored and controls how much light enters the eye. The pupil points the light to the lens. The lens centers light for the retina, which acts like a camera for the optic nerve.
Why Do Vitamins Help The Eyes?
The myriad nutrients in vitamins do several jobs. They manage hormonal messages to the eyes. They sort out how blood sugar levels affect the eyes. They screen damaging UV rays stemming from electronics like TVs, computers, and smart phones.
These multi-tasking vitamins decrease inflammation, protect against damaging light rays, protect healthy cells, and prevent eye diseases for which there are currently no cures.
Oxidative stress from aging as well as outside sources cause macular degeneration and cataracts. The elderly and people with faulty diets and unhealthy lifestyles are susceptible to vision problems from these things. Blood won't reach the eyes, which will damage blood vessels. This complicates everything. So which vitamins should we take?
Eye-Friendly Vitamins
Vitamin A. This is the warrior that prevents degenerative eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic neuropathy. Vitamin A also prevents night blindness as well as abnormally dry eyes with inflammation called xeropththalmia.
Vitamin C. This antioxidant isn't just for fighting colds. It helps the body absorb other nutrients. It helps repair injured tissue, knocks out inflammation, and prevents cellular changes.
Vitamin E. Vitamins E, A, and C work together to keep eye cells and tissue strong. As the body ages, the eyes develop macular (spot on the cornea) degeneration. These vitamins bond together to prevent it.
Zinc. Helps the body absorb other nutrients. Facilitates waste products, which helps against inflammation and cell injury.
Omega 3 fatty acids. Anti-inflammatory that slows down aging effects. Protects tissue from damage, evens up blood sugar levels, improves blood circulation, and prevents cells from changing.
Lutein and Zeaxinthin. These vitamins support the tissue, lens, and macula, preventing degeneration. Helps with clearing vision, glare and light sensitivity.