Dr. G’s Top 4 Foods to Save Your Eyes

Prevent cataracts and more!

When your vision takes a nosedive, so does your quality of life.  

The bad news is that the older you get, the higher your chances are of developing a serious eye problem (like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration). 

In fact, the leading cause of blindness—age-related macular degeneration—is expected to triple over the next 30 years. 

That’s a BIG problem since vision problems can increase your risk of dying. 

The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of eye problems AND the deadly risks associated with them. 

And it starts with THESE four foods. 

A recent meta-analysis that looked at data on 48,000 people found that people with mild vision impairment had a 29 percent higher risk of mortality. 

And those with serious vision impairment had an 89 percent increased risk of mortality.  

That’s because vision impairment increases the risk of serious problems like falls, cognitive impairment, and even dementia. 

Fortunately, maintaining your eyesight as you get older isn’t the luck of the draw. Studies indicate that four out of five cases of vision impairment can be prevented—or even corrected. 

This is in part by wearing the proper glasses, and in part by having cataracts removed. 

In addition, there are steps you can take to maintain your vision no matter how old you are. You can start by adding these four key foods into your diet. 

Oranges 

Oranges contain plant pigments called carotenoids that give them their orange color. These compounds can inhibit inflammation in your cells, a key underlying cause of eye problems. 

Studies have shown that increasing your intake of carotenoids reduces your risk of age-related macular degeneration. 

I prefer to eat oranges as opposed to drinking orange juice because the fiber slows the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream. 

Red Bell Peppers 

Like oranges, bell peppers are a good source of carotenoids. They also have high levels of vitamin C, with just one pepper containing 233 percent of the RDA of vitamin C! 

That’s great when it comes to your eyesight, since studies have shown that high intake of vitamin C is associated with a reduced risk of cataracts. 

Sweet Potatoes 

Do you see a pattern here? Another food in the orange/red family are sweet potatoes. They’re a great source of beta-carotene, which your body then coverts to vitamin A. 

Your body needs vitamin A to produce enough moisture and pigments for your retina to function properly. This is key for preventing dry eyes and night blindness. 

Just one sweet potato will give you 100 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin A. 

Salmon 

Yes, another orange food has made the list. Salmon and other fatty fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are key for the health of your retina. 

Studies have found that omega-3s can help decrease the risk of macular degeneration, dry eyes, and glaucoma.  

In fact, one study showed that people who ate oily fish like salmon just once a week had their risk of developing “wet” macular degeneration in HALF. 

And while we’re talking about colors, the one color you should be avoiding is BLUE, especially at night.  

The blue light that emits from devices like your TV and smart phone has been connected to an increased risk for eye strain, macular degeneration, and can cause retinal damage.