Boost Your Diet to Protect Your Eyes!

While a well-balanced diet can help you stay at a healthy weight, did you know that it is also essential for eye health? Maintaining a diet high in antioxidants can help prevent the development of serious eye conditions and ensure your eyes work their best.*

Here Are 6 Foods (w/Bonus Recipes) That Help Protect Your Vision:

Leafy Green Vegetables. Did you know the darker the green, the better they are for you? Green veggies such as spinach, kale and collards are excellent sources of Vitamins C and E, and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Many studies show that lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

        Recipe > Goat Cheese & Spiced Walnuts Salad w/Mustard Vinaigrette 

Fatty Fish. Fatty fishes such as salmon, tuna and trout (BONUS: oysters, crabs and scallops) are high in the Omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Some studies have found that fish oil can help to reverse dry eye and contributes towards a lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

        Recipe > Maple Glazed Salmon, Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli

Lean Meats. Protein from lean meats such as beef, poultry or pork is rich in zinc, and can be very beneficial to your eyesight. Zinc plays a vital role in bringing vitamin A from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin, a protective pigment in the eyes. Night blindness and cataracts are two of the most common implications of zinc deficiency.

        Recipe > Turkey Burgers with Avocado Crema, Grilled Red Onions & Arugula

Eggs. Egg yolks contain high amounts of Vitamin A, as well as lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc, which are all vital to eye health. Your retina needs plenty of vitamin A to help turn light rays into the images we see. Without enough vitamin A, your eyes cannot produce enough moisture to keep them properly lubricated. Night blindness is often one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency.

        Recipe > Smokey Tomato and Onion Shakshuka

Citrus Fruits and Berries. Oranges, other citrus fruits and berries have high amounts of vitamin C, which helps maintain eye pressure, lowers the risk of developing cataracts, and when taken in combination with other essential nutrients, can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration and visual acuity loss.

        Recipe > Super Vitamin C Smoothie

Beans and Legumes. Chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans, lentils and other legumes are vegetarian, low-fat and good sources of bioflavonoids and zinc, all of which help to protect the retina and lower the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts. They are also great for helping protect your eyes from potential sunlight damage.

        Recipe > Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

Small changes can have a huge impact on your eyes and your overall health, and an in-person, comprehensive eye exam is the simplest step you can take to protect vision and ensure an early diagnosis of common vision problems.

*You should always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or nutritional supplement program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. If you have, or think you have, a medical problem or symptom, please consult a qualified physician.

—

There’s no substitute for the quality-of-life great vision offers…
Ever Wonder if You’re a Good Candidate for LASIK?

The reality is that the majority of people who meet the age and general health requirements are in fact good candidates for the iLASIK procedure. If you meet the basic criteria below, you are probably a good candidate for iLASIK:

1. You are at least 18 years old.
2. You are in good general health.
3. You have had a stable vision prescription for at least one year.
4. You have no existing eye disease.