Vitamins for Eyes

As an integral part of a balanced diet, vitamins are something which must not be a subject of inadequacy. Deficiencies of such nutrients in the body, not only lead to several eye diseases, but also make way for bouts of other medical conditions in the body. As a popular example, deficiency of vitamin A, may lead to the development of night-blindness (inability to see clearly in dim light; due to a deficiency of vitamin A or to a retinal disorder) and keratomalacia (softening and drying and ulceration of the cornea resulting from vitamin A deficiency). Vitamins work best when accompanied by other antioxidants and trace minerals. So, let's browse through the best vitamins for eyes and about the elements which can add to their efficacy.

Best Vitamins for Eyesight

Vitamin A

Attributed as the queen vitamin for eye care, vitamin A is an antioxidant in itself, which contributes to the proper functioning of the retina. In other words, this vitamin helps the eyes adjust to light changes, which occur when a person comes from a bright environment to a darker one. It is essential for the rods and cones within the retina to be able to communicate light changes to the nervous system. Deficiency of vitamin A as mentioned, most commonly leads to night-blindness. This can further lead to conditions such as xerophthalmia (abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eyes), corneal ulcers and swollen eyelids, if the deficiency is not corrected in time. Studies report that, extreme deficiency of vitamin A has been one of the major causes of blindness in developing nations. Apart from preventing these illnesses, vitamin A helps in keeping conditions such as cataracts and blindness from macular degeneration (eye disease caused by degeneration of the cells of the macula lutea and results in blurred vision), at bay.

Vitamin C

Another antioxidant among the vitamins good for eyes, is vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. This water-soluble vitamin helps in the maintenance of collagen which is found in the cornea of the eyes and promotes the delicate capillaries in the retina. Consumption of this vitamin, is also known to prove helpful in preventing occurrence of cataract and blindness from macular degeneration. As vitamin C aids in elevating acidity in the blood, it encourages the reduction of intraocular pressure which is associated with the development of glaucoma (an eye disease that damages the optic nerve and impairs vision).

Vitamin E

Even vitamin E is considered one of the important vitamins for healthy eyes. This fat soluble vitamin is another antioxidant, which protects the eyes from free radical damage. Apart from curbing the risk to develop cataract and macular degeneration, vitamin E also encourages visual clarity. Vitamin E deficiency may cause abnormal eye movements and impaired vision.

Apart from all these essential vitamins for eyes, other minerals and substances which promote eye health include beta-carotene, selenium, chromium, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin. Now, here is a table below of food and vitamins to improve eyesight.

Vitamins for Eyes	Food Sources
Vitamin A	Cod liver oil
	Liver pat
	Liver sausage
	Liver, beef
	Liver, chicken
	Carrot
	Sweet potato
	Kale
	Butternut squash
	Red pepper (sweet)
	Mango
	Faggots
	Fresh creams (pasteurized)
	Spinach
	Apricots
	Mangoes
	Watercress
	Paprika
	Cantaloupe
Vitamin C	Peppers
	Rose hip extracts
	Raspberry
	Lychees
	Blackcurrant
	Guava
	Orange
	Lemon
	Strawberry
	Lemon
	Grapefruit
	Peaches
	Mangoes
	Spring greens
	Brussels sprouts
	Broccoli
	Curly Kale
	Gourd
	Cauliflower
	Tomato
	Green cabbage
	Potatoes
Vitamin E	Sunflower seeds
	Almonds, dried, unblanched
	Hazelnuts, dried, unblanched
	Peanuts
	Cottonseed oil
	Wheat germ
	Rapeseed oil
	Cod liver oil
	Mayonnaise
	Soya bean oil
	Peanut oil
	Brazil nuts
	Sweet potato
	Walnuts
	Avocado

So these are some of the good sources of vitamins essential for the eyes, which you can benefit from. However, if your diet is not sufficient enough to provide you with the required vitamins, then you must consider adding vitamin supplements to the diet. Consulting with your physician would be a wise idea to prevent any sort of mishaps arising from incorrect administration of these supplements. So, 'How to use vitamins for healthy eyesight?' Is that what you are thinking? Well, just boost your diet with all the kinds of foods listed above.