Did you know that Singaporeans are at a high risk of developing eye disorders? Many of our youth are likely to develop vision problems, so it’s important to start caring for our eyes early in life.
But there’s more to maintaining good vision besides having regular check-ups at an eye specialist or wearing prescription glasses. Like any other part of our body, our eyes need vitamins and minerals to function well.
Before shopping for the best eye supplements in Singapore, let’s learn more about the nutrients supporting our vision.
What Nutrients Do Our Eyes Need Most?
Here are just some of the many nutrients that our eyes benefit from:
Carotenoids
These plant-based compounds are found in various fruits and vegetables. They help protect our retina from damage caused by blue light, which comes from the Sun, LED lights, and our gadgets’ screens.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 acids, which we can find in foods like salmon and tuna, help maintain cell membranes, including those in our eyes. This helps our eye’s cells function properly.
Vitamin A
This particular vitamin helps clear our cornea and lets us see better in the dark. Excellent sources of Vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, liver, and dairy.
Vitamin B Complex
B vitamins are essential to supporting our nervous system and thus help maintain our eyes’ nerve fibres, which are in the millions. They also ensure that our cells function well. Some foods with plenty of B Vitamins include eggs, leafy greens, and fish.
Vitamins C and E
Vitamin C, which we typically get from citrus fruits, protects our eyes from the Sun’s harmful radiation. It’s an antioxidant that protects our eyes from oxidation and helps damaged cells repair themselves.
Vitamin E is also an antioxidant like C. Some great sources include nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.
What Eye Issues Can Poor Nutrition Cause?
Nutritional deficiencies can lead to disorders and diseases later on, and vision problems are no exception. Here are some notable eye complications we could suffer from if we don’t nourish ourselves properly.
Night Blindness
Caused by a lack of Vitamin A, this condition is when our retinas cannot adjust properly in low-light conditions. This keeps us from seeing well in dim or dark areas.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Deficiencies in Vitamin A and Omega-3 fatty acids also mean our eyes won’t be naturally lubricated. This leads to dry eye syndrome, which causes redness, irritation, blurry vision, and light sensitivity.
Cataracts
This chronic eye disease causes our eyes’ lens to become cloudy, gradually making our vision hazier until you can no longer see. They can develop when we don’t have enough Vitamin C or E in our systems.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is a common cause of gradual vision loss in ageing adults. It affects your central vision, as the condition makes the central part of your retina deteriorate.
Permanent Blindness
The most severe cases of nutritional deficiencies can result in permanent vision loss. Not having enough nutrients to nourish and protect your eyes can cause irreversible damage to many of its parts. These would prevent you from ever seeing properly again.
A Balanced Diet and Health Supplements Can Help
If we want to prevent eye problems from plaguing us, we should strive towards eating a healthier diet that meets our nutritional needs. And if our food isn't enough, we can buy eye supplements from Singapore’s best health shops. But do consult your doctor before you try any new supplements.
A Healthy Life Gives You Good Vision
Practising healthy habits, like having nutritious meals and taking supplements, is one of the many ways we can maintain clear vision. When we understand the impact of vitamins and minerals on our eyes, we have more reason to take our diet and lifestyle seriously.
A healthy life means healthy eyes, so let’s make nutrition a priority.