Diet & Nutrition for the Eye

Many optometrists are expanding their traditional roles to include other areas that affect eye health, such as nutrition. Research has shown that nutrition can impact the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which are the two leading causes of blindness and visual impairment among millions of aging Americans. Nutrition may be particularly important given that currently, treatment options after diagnosis for these eye diseases are limited.

Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are the leading causes of visual impairment and acquired blindness in the U.S., and are key quality of life issues among millions of aging Americans. Both the severity and irreversibility of cataracts and AMD have generated interest in ways to either prevent or delay their progression. Nutrition is one promising means of protecting the eyes from these diseases.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an acquired ocular disorder and a leading cause of legal blindness in persons over sixty. AMD affects the macula, the central part of the retina, which is responsible for providing clear, sharp vision needed for reading, writing, driving and other visually-demanding activities.

Cataracts are a leading cause of visual impairment among aging Americans and a key quality of life issue. Cataract extractions are the most common surgical procedure performed in the U.S., accounting for more than two million procedures each year. Experts have theorized that if the progression of cataracts could be delayed by 10 years, the number of cataract surgeries per year would be reduced by 45 percent. Nutrition is one promising means of preventing or delaying the progression of cataracts.