Steps to protect your vision
AS WE become older, our eyesight tends to worsen — one of the annoying signs of ageing.
But there are steps you can take that could have a surprising impact on how well you see.
It is now thought that consuming the right foods and a dietary supplement may help to protect our eyesight, and could even reduce the risk of age- related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the UK.
The macula is the most delicate part of the retina and is particularly vulnerable to damage from sunlight.
This usually first affects people in their 50s and 60s and an early symptom is often a blurred or distorted area of vision.
While it doesn’t cause total blindness, it can damage the middle part of the sight, making everyday activities such as reading, watching TV and recognising faces difficult.The exact cause is unknown.
It has been linked to smoking, high blood pressure, being overweight, pollution, aging, light exposure and having a family history of AMD.
Nutrients that are known as macular carotenoids are believed to support eye health, preventing damage to cells in the eyes by providing nourishment to the macula pigment.
As we age, this macula pigment at the back of the eye becomes thinner.
A supplement containing the three macular carotenoids — lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin — may help to boost this macula pigment to protect the eyesight.
Meso-zeaxanthin, found in some types of fish and seafood, is a pigment that filters out harmful blue light.
And lutein and zeaxanthin, found in dark green leafy veg and brightly coloured fruits, are thought to have powerful antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.
The core formula of some supplements is derived from the marigold flower, which combines all three macular carotenoids.
Our eyes can be harmed by many things. However, supplements containing these three powerful antioxidants may offer some protection to the sensitive areas at the back of the eyes, to help maintain healthy and clear vision.