Like any other part of the body, the eyes need proper nutrition for them to work as optimally as possible. There are specific types of food and vitamins that can help prevent eye diseases and improve vision. As a natural consequence of aging, the eyesight usually deteriorates. While this degeneration is inevitable, getting proper nutrition for the eyes can help decrease its negative effects and even slow down the aging process. Medical experts in urbane scrubs have identified several vitamins and minerals that are good for the eyes.

Antioxidants​​

Antioxidants help fight the effects of oxidation on the eye tissue and eye structure, halting or decreasing the destruction of the tissues.

Much of the oxidation is caused by light exposure overtime and environmental pollution. An effect of oxidation in the eyes is that proteins will clump together forming cataracts and will cloud over the lens, which then impedes vision. The body uses antioxidants to counter the effects of oxidation. Antioxidants can be found in almost all fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant. The body also uses vitamin A, Vitamin E and carotenoid.​

Vitamin C

Evidence suggests that vitamin C helps reduce the risk of cataracts and slows down macular degeneration, which commonly occurs in old age. Research also shows that vitamin C reduces the pressure that is associated with glaucoma. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. Other sour tasting fruits such as pineapple and green mangoes are also rich in vitamin C. Vegetables that contain vitamin C include broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, peas, spinach, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables.​

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is found in whole grains, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, sardines, sunflower seeds, and nuts such as pine nuts, hazelnuts and almonds. They play an important role in reducing the risks of cataracts and macular degeneration.​

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps reduce the incidence of cataracts and night blindness. It is a powerful antioxidant that is reported to improve night vision. A deficiency in vitamin A leads to corneal ulcers and blindness. Vitamin A-rich foods include carrots, liver, sweet potatoes, mangoes, cantaloupe, spinach, milk, egg yolks, and mozzarella cheese.​

Carotenoid

Carotenoid are natural fat-soluble pigments that are responsible for the many yellow, orange and red pigments of plans, fruits, and flowers. This pigment is believed to help fight cataracts because it absorbs blue light, which is the hue implicated in the oxidation of the eyes. Carotenoid nullifies the negative effects of the blue light intercepted by the eye. Carotenoid is found in carrots, oranges, red peppers, tomatoes, and salmon.
Omega-3 fatty acids​

Known to be a building block in vision, omega-3 fatty acids are essential for growth and development beginning in the womb. It also helps protect the eyes from degenerative eye diseases such as macular degeneration. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, cooked, soybeans, flaxseed, raw tofu, shrimps, snapper, scallops, salmon, tuna, halibut, spinach, and walnuts.​

Minerals

Minerals that are found to be good for the eyes include zinc, slelenium, lutein, and bioflavonoids. They help metabolize vitamins in the body and assist the production of nutrients necessary for a balanced nutrition.​

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Brent McNutt enjoys talking about urbane scrubs and landau scrubs and networking with healthcare professionals online.