Can You Take Vitamins to Promote Eye Health?

The health of your eyes is our sole concern at Griffeth Vision. From comprehensive eye exams to retinal laser surgery and everything in between, we do everything we can to keep you seeing clearly.

There are certain factors and conditions that can inevitably degrade the eyes, but there are also things you can do to keep your eyes healthy. One of those is eating foods and taking supplements that contain certain vitamins that benefit the eyes. Here is some information on supplements.

Are there benefits to taking vision supplements?

You’e probably seen advertisements for vision-targeting supplements. Studies conducted on these vision-related supplements are mixed. For people at high risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), supplements decreased their risk of developing the condition by 25 percent. But for people who did not have an increased risk of developing AMD, supplements did not show a significant effect. So, while there is no downside to taking supplements, the results are mixed.

What vitamins benefit the eyes?

But for overall eye health, research has shown the value of multivitamins in helping to keep the eyes healthy. Certain vitamins and nutrients play a key role in oxidative changes and the reduction of inflammation associated with the progression of degenerative eye diseases.

Vitamin A, and its precursor, known as beta-carotene, is essential in improving night vision. B-complex vitamins help reduce chronic inflammation and prevent vascular problems, particularly in the retina. Vitamin C is not only a powerful antioxidant, but can also be taken to reduce the risk for cataracts. Vitamin D has been associated with a reduced risk for macular degeneration, and vitamin E has been used in AREDS studies and has been proven to lower the risk of developing cataracts.

Of course, the question is, do you need to take a supplement to get these vitamins? It depends, if you eat plenty of fruit and drink milk or eat yogurt, you probably get enough C and D. If you don’t, a vitamin supplement could be beneficial.

If you have any questions about keeping your eyes healthy, call us at 435-843-8333 and let’s talk about them.