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The 7 nutrients you should eat for healthy eyes

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A number of nutrients can help keep your eyes healthy, and some may even improve your eyesight, an eye doctor says.

Eat a variety of fruits and veg

It's particularly important to eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, said Dr. James McDonnell, a paediatric ophthalmologist at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Illinois.

"Make a colourful plate, especially with greens, blues and reds. Certain foods have distinct benefits for the eyes in addition to overall health, including many of the trendy superfoods such as kale, broccoli and sweet potatoes," he said in a Loyola news release.

Read: Symptoms of an eye injury

McDonnell said healthy eating might help protect you from cataracts, macular degeneration – a leading cause of vision loss in older Americans – and even blindness.

He listed several nutrients that are especially good for your eyes.

1. Astaxanthin. "This supernutrient protects eyes from developing cataracts, macular degeneration and blindness," McDonnell said.

"Seaweed and wild, rather than farmed, salmon are excellent choices high in astaxanthin. It also aids in so many aspects of wellness that astaxanthin is my top recommendation for incorporation into your diet."

2. Omega-3. This fatty acid contained in fish protects against dry eye and age-related macular degeneration, he said.

"Studies show that individuals who ate oily fish such as tuna, sardines, herring and salmon at least once a week were 50 percent less likely to develop neovascular [wet] macular degeneration than those who ate fish less than once per week," McDonnell said.

Read: Common eye injuries

3. Anthocyanins. "Blueberries, bilberries and especially black currants contain high amounts of anthocyanins and help to maintain the health of the cornea and blood vessels in every part of the eye," McDonnell said.

"They also help reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration as well as decrease inflammatory eye disease and diabetic retinopathy."

4. Vitamin D. "Safe sun exposure, fish oils, fatty fish and, to a lesser extent, beef liver, cheese, egg yolks and certain mushrooms contain this master hormone, which acts on more than 4,000 genes," McDonnell said.

He added that vitamin D3 supplementation has been shown to help prevent age-related macular degeneration, reduce retinal inflammation and improve vision.

5. Zeaxanthin. This nutrient, which McConnell said reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, is found in dark green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, collards, raw spinach and romaine lettuce.

Read: Eyesight and eye care basics

"Lightly cooking these vegetables increases your body's ability to absorb these nutrients," McDonnell said.

6. Bioflavonoids. Found in tea, red wine, citrus fruits and cherries, bioflavonoids may lower the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, he said. And beta-carotene, contained in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale and butternut squash, protects you against night blindness and dry eyes, the eye doctor noted.

7. Lutein. This nutrient is also good for your eyes.

"The best source is from organic eggs laid by pastured organic hens. You can also take supplements made from marigold flowers," McDonnell said.

Read more:

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Screening in clinics detects eye problems early on

11-year-old boy goes blind from laser light

Image: Fresh vegetables and fruits from Shutterstock

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