[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/08\/can-certain-foods-improve-vision\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/08\/can-certain-foods-improve-vision\/","headline":"Are There Certain Foods to Improve Eyesight?","name":"Are There Certain Foods to Improve Eyesight?","description":"Vision changes throughout life, but can your diet prevent eye conditions? Read this article to discover which foods may have healthy benefits for eyes.","datePublished":"2014-08-06","dateModified":"2023-11-20","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/ophthalmology-regions","name":"UPMC Vision Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/ophthalmology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-vision-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/berries.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/berries.png","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/08\/can-certain-foods-improve-vision\/","about":["Eye Health","Health Topics A-Z"],"wordCount":501,"articleBody":"Our vision changes throughout our lifetime. As we age, the risk of worsening eyesight increases. So does the risk of serious eye conditions.Like any other health condition, your diet plays a major role in your ocular health. For example, poor nutrition may affect two of the most common eye conditions \u2014\u00a0macular degeneration\u00a0and\u00a0cataracts. But are there really foods that improve vision?Foods to Improve EyesightA balanced diet can’t improve your eyeglasses prescription. However, foods rich in certain nutrients and vitamins may help reduce the risk of chronic eye conditions.Joseph Martel, MD, suggests including more of the following five food groups in your diet to reduce the risk that your vision will get worse:Leafy greensLeafy greens are one of the best foods for eye health. This is because of the nutrients they contain. You can find two nutrients found in leafy greens \u2014 lutein and zeaxanthin \u2014 in high concentrations in your macula. The macula is the part of your retina that is responsible for central vision.Recent research recommends lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation for all patients with moderate or advanced dry macular degeneration.Challenge yourself to add\u00a0kale or spinach\u00a0to each meal.BerriesRed, purple, and blue berries and leaves contain the nutrient anthocyanin. This is another one of the types of nutrients that makes a certain type of food good for eyes.In particular, bilberries have high amounts of anthocyanin. Some studies suggest anthocyanins can help protect the cornea, lens, and retina.Include\u00a0blueberries, bilberries, black currants, cranberries, strawberries, and even red cabbage in your diet.SeafoodCertain types of fish, such as wild-caught\u00a0salmon,\u00a0tuna, and sardines, provide omega-3 fatty acids. Some studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration.Add one to two servings of salmon, tuna, or sardines to your diet each week. This can help improve your eye health and reduce your cholesterol.Vitamin C-rich foodsVitamin C can help your eyes stay healthy. The cornea, retina, and lens of the eye benefit from vitamin C the most. Include more oranges, grapefruits, potatoes, broccoli, and other foods high in vitamin C in your diet.CarrotsEating food rich in vitamin A is important for retinal health. However, most people get enough of it in a normal diet.That said, people with certain gastrointestinal problems or poor diets can benefit from good sources of vitamin A. These can include carrots and sweet potatoes, which can help your eyes stay healthy.You may prefer to take vitamins or supplements or get your nutrients from new foods. Either way, following these tips can help limit the risk of serious eye conditions later in life.Some of these suggestions may seem simple. But you should consult your primary medical doctor (as well as your ophthalmologist) before making changes to your diet or supplement regimen.For more information, visit the\u00a0UPMC Vision Institute.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on August 6, 2014, and was last reviewed on November 20, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Are There Certain Foods to Improve Eyesight?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/08\/can-certain-foods-improve-vision\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]