DHA, which is an essential fatty acid found in omega-3 fish oils, collects in nerve cells aiding in their functionality. There have been an abundance of studies comparing elderly that have taken fish oil vs. additional elderly folks that went without it. The conclusion drawn was that those taking the omega-3 oil were far less likely to get degenerative eye diseases that eventually cause blindness.

This was a huge discovery for proponents of fish oil. Another highly common issue that elderly and younger adults deal with alike is dry eyes syndrome; when an individual suffers from this, he or she is rendered unable to produce tears, which causes a scratchy discomfort that can be helped with over-the-counter eye lubricants. What if a person could prevent this from ever happening? Well, it may be impossible to stop it entirely, but fish oil can dramatically reduce symptoms, thereby protecting the cornea from incessant wearing.

Recent studies have shown a direct correlation in regard to extensive omega-3 intake and improved eye health. The best part about fish oil is that it doesn’t have to be taken in a capsule form, it can be consumed by eating fish: tuna, salmon, oysters, shark, and sardines are among those with the most omega-3 content; however, one should heed caution when it comes to consuming large quantities of fish; many of the fish aforementioned contain high amounts of mercury and should be limited or avoided all together. Therefore, it may make the most sense to consume fish oil as a supplement.

From glaucoma to macular degeneration, many things can go wrong with the human eye. Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to eye health, and luckily, there are many ways to protect eyes from damage. Most people think of sunglasses and carrots when they think of good eye care, but supplements and diet should also play an important role. The eye, just like any other organ, needs to be kept healthy through good nutrition.

The cells of the eye require specific nutrients so diet plays an important role in eye care. Antioxidants, such as; lutein, vitamin C, vitamin A, carotene, and vitamin E help prevent the buildup of free radicals that cause cataracts and macular degeneration. Foods rich in antioxidants include; dark green vegetables, colorful fruits, berries, tea, and whole grains. Omega-3 fatty acids are also an important part of an eye healthy diet and can be found in fish or fish oil. It is important to reduce consumption of foods rich in sodium, sugar, and Trans fats as these can increase a person’s risk for diabetes.

Vitamin supplements are also key elements to eye care. There are a number of good multi-vitamins on the market, many of which are specifically designed to encourage good vision. Macula Complete, Oculair, ICaps, and Ocuvite PreserVision are a few examples of vision-focused multivitamins. A good multivitamin can provide some necessary antioxidants, but cannot provide them all. The antioxidant, Glutathione, which acts as a “mother ship” for other antioxidants, is also important for overall health, but is only manufactured directly in the body’s cells. The building blocks for this antioxidant are cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine and can be found in the supplement, Immunocal. These amino acids can also be found in raw eggs, raw meat, unpasteurized milk and mother’s milk, but these methods are less than appetizing.

Like any organ, the eye needs to be given the proper nutrition in order to stay well maintained. A good diet and the right nutritional supplement are important parts of overall eye health and can help prevent eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.