There are many steps you can take to protect your vision, from improving illumination in your home to limiting your exposure to blue light. However, there are also many beneficial foods containing valuable nutrients that support your eye health. If you’d like to create a more robust eye care plan, here are a few foods you may want to add to your diet.

What Foods Can Benefit Your Eyes?

1. Sweet Potatoes

Nutritious sweet potatoes are packed with vital nutrients that can benefit your health in different ways. Among their most valuable is beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A and supports strong vision while reducing the potential for issues like night blindness and dryness. Other orange foods, like butternut squash and carrots, also provide beta-carotene and are beneficial to your eye health.

2. Walnuts

Walnuts are rich in several key nutrients, including zinc, which delivers a powerhouse punch of vitamin A to the eyes. They are also enriched with vitamin E, which is a potent antioxidant that can protect your eyes from harmful free radical damage. An abundance of free radicals could otherwise lead to serious eye diseases, like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Walnuts are also rich in vital omega-3 fatty acids, which are powerful anti-inflammatories that may support your eyes’ natural oil film and minimize the likelihood of developing dry eye.

3. Kale

Kale is one of the healthiest dark, leafy greens to incorporate into your eye care diet. Rich in vitamins A and C, it provides vital eye-friendly nutrients, including lutein and zeaxanthin. Both are powerful antioxidants that can protect you from developing various eye diseases, and they can even safeguard your vision from potent ultraviolet rays. In fact, people who consume significant quantities of zeaxanthin are 50% less likely to develop cataracts than those who don’t.

As part of a smart eye care regimen, visit the optometrists at Graham Optical annually. With convenient locations in Greenwood and Fort Smith, AR, these professionals offer a range of services to promote your optical health. They perform comprehensive exams and can test for common diseases like glaucoma and cataracts. Visit the website for more information, or call (479) 782-6737 to schedule an appointment.