The eye is considered one of the most important sensory organs of the human being. Your eyes have to work tirelessly for hours while reading books, using a mobile phone, surfing the internet or even watching TV. Because of these reasons, billions of people all over the world are more likely to be affected by eye and vision problems, such as nearsightedness, retinal detachment, cataract, conjunctivitis and dry eyes.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a common problem in which your tear glands don't produce enough quality tears to nourish the eye. This condition can be associated with discomfort and pain in your eyes.
What Causes of Dry Eye?
Dry eye can be caused by various reasons, including:
The aging process affect your eyes
Side effects of certain drugs (such as allergy medicines, sleeping pills or anxiety medicines)
Climate conditions
After having LASIK eye surgery
Long-term contact lens use
Staring at a computer for a long time
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
Common signs and symptoms, which are regularly associated with dry eyes, may include:
A gritty sensation, burning, and stinging in eyes
Light sensitivity
Pain
Discharge or mucus in eyes
Discomfort and redness
Watery eyes
Tired eyes
Top Superfoods for Dry Eyes
Proper nutrition plays an important role in the health of your eyes. A healthy diet is useful for preventing a number of eye disorders, including dry eyes. The overall health of your eyes and vision depends on certain nutrients, such as vitamins A and C, zinc and other minerals, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, carotenoids and bioflavonoids.
There are a number of amazing superfoods that can help keep your vision healthy and sharp.
Here are the top superfoods for dry eyes.
Carrots
We've all heard the old wives' tale that regugar carrots consumption is extremely beneficial for overall vision health. Packed with potassium and fiber, they can nourish and protect your retina from damage caused by the UV radiation and high-energy light rays. Also, carrots have lutein which can help in protecting blood vessels and the inner layers of the eye.
A 2007 study suggested that the beta carotene - a vitamin A precursor found in it can help prevent night blindness.
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Spinach
Another wonderful superfood to improve your eyesight naturally is spinach. Due to its high content of lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin A, spinach is very beneficial for the eyes. Vitamin A helps keep your cornea healthy, lutein protects your eyes from harmful UV light and zeaxanthin contributes to development of the visual system.
To get the best results, consume a glass of freshly blended spinach juice on an empty stomach immediately after waking up every morning.
Broccoli
Leafy greens are nutritional powerhouses packed with phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals which help boost your eye health. Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family and it’s closely related to the leafy vegetables. It contains a host of nutrients like vitamin A, riboflavin (or vitamin B2), zeaxanthin and lutein. Many studies have shown that riboflavin deficiency can cause blurring of vision, eye fatigue and irritation.
A recent study has revealed that raw broccoli has greater value than cooked broccoli.
Blueberries
A 2014 study conducted at the Belarusian State Medical University showed that the components in blueberry can improve blood circulation in blood vessels and promote retinal cells in the eyes.
Consuming blueberries regularly helps support healthy vision and eye function due to its high concentration of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective properties.
In addition, the anthocyanins found in it can help prevent retinal artery occlusion and inflammatory cell adhesion which contribute to dry eyes.
Potato
Potato is also considered one of the top superfoods for dry eyes for centuries. Especially, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A - an important nutrient for the maintenance of good eye health.
Hundreds of studies also suggest that vitamin A can help protect your eyes from macular degeneration, cataracts and other eye disorders.
Oily Fish
Oily fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines are said to be rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids and can help against eyes conditions like dry eyes, conjunctivitis and low vision.
Studies show that the omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish helps in keeping your eyes hydrated and reducing dry eyes. Consuming this oily fish twice or three times weekly is recommended.
Avocados
You can eat avocados by themselves or in a fruit salad and soups along with other fruits.
The vitamin B6, C and E present in it can help improve your eyesight and eye health. This fruit also decreases the anxiety and damage that causes bad eyesight and helps reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, dry eyes and other serious eye conditions.
Walnuts
This is also one of top superfoods for dry eyes which has been used widely for thousands of years.
Just a handful of walnuts daily could be a best natural home remedy to prevent dry eyes and possibly cataracts. Walnuts are rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids that fight inflammation and play an important role in good vision.