What can you do to keep your eyes healthy and maintain good vision?
Regular eye examinations and using the correct prescription when your anything changes to your vision is key to healthy eyes and clear vision. Research has shown that getting enough carotenoids in your diet is also important for healthy eyes and good vision.
What are carotenoids?
Carotenoids are pigments that give fruit and vegetables their vibrant red, orange, yellow and green colours. They act as antioxidants and have significant cancer-fighting properties.
How do carotenoids keep your eyes healthy?
The most sensitive part of the retina in the eye is called the macula . This has the highest concentration of photoreceptors in the retina and is the portion of the retina where our sharpest vision is produced. It is also responsible for our ability to perceive colour. There are 3 dietary carotenoids – Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-Zeaxanthin, which form the pigment in the macula that protect millions of photoreceptor cells located in this region.
Foods that contain eye healthy carotenoids
| Kale | Spinach |
| Swiss Chards | Mustard Greens |
| Turnip Greens | Collards |
| Green Peas | Summer Squash |
| Eggs |