Eye supplements are nutritional supplements containing ingredients that are beneficial for your ocular health.
These products are not there to replace your diet but to fill in the gaps in it and give you the nutrients that your diet fails to give.
There are plenty of companies in the market boasting about the many benefits of these supplements. However, only a few benefits are backed by proven scientific research. Taking these supplements won’t make for the nutritional limitations of a poor unhealthy diet.
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Should You Take Eye Supplements?
If your diet misses the crucial vitamins and nutrients needed by your eyes, then you can consult your doctor about the benefits of these supplements for you.
But for most people, these eye supplements are unnecessary as they can get these key vitamins via their diet. Moreover, there is no evidence that links the consumption of eye supplements with improved eye health.
There is one exception to the rule – age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Research has shown that people with AMD might benefit from taking nutritional products for their eye health. If you have AMD, you must consult with your doctor before you take these supplements.
Eye Supplements Ingredients
The jury is still out on whether these supplements are any good for your eyes. However, there are certain ingredients that are found to be beneficial to strengthen your ocular muscles and avoid eye problems. Here they are:
- Lutein
- Zinc
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B complex
- Phytochemical antioxidants
- Bioflavonoids
Do You Need Eye Supplements for Healthy Eyes?
If the companies pushing these supplements on you have made you believe that you need them, then let us tell you that you can get good eye health without taking these supplements. Here is what you should do.
Wear Glasses and Sunglasses
Some people believe that if their eyesight is weak, wearing glasses will make it even worse. However, this is not the case. Glasses are the best tool that corrects your vision and gives you an intellectual appeal. You won’t be only seeing clearly but add to your looks with designer wood prescription glasses or transparent specs.
Similarly, not wearing sunglasses outside during the daytime exposes your eyes to harmful UV rays. Where harsh sun rays can cause a corneal burn or dry eyes at the least, in severe cases, it may even lead to cancer in the eye. This is why you must always use sunglasses when going outside in daylight.
Eat a Balanced Diet
A balanced diet remains the most important thing that determines your eye health. Make sure you include the following food items in your diet:
- Green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach
- Oily fish such as salmon and tuna
- Protein sources such as eggs and nuts
- Citrus fruits and juices
A well-balanced diet will help you manage your weight and you’ll be able to avoid obesity. This will reduce your risk of developing diabetes which is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults.
Quit Smoking
People who smoke are twice more likely to develop cataracts later in life than people who’ve never smoked in their life.
Smoking causes damage to your optic nerves that then leads to severe eye disorders such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration. Thus, quitting smoking isn’t only good for your lungs and heart but also your eye health.
Take breaks from screen time
Screens are not good for your eyes. They emit harmful blue waves that make your eyes feel tired. Screen time also leads to temporary visual symptoms such as eye pain and blurry vision. These symptoms are used under the umbrella term “digital eye strain”.
Using blue light glasses or tinted glasses is the best way to cut off the effects of screen time on your eyes. Take small breaks between long screen time sessions to give your eyes some rest.
Get Regular Eye Tests
You can’t figure out what’s wrong with your eyes just by taking a look at them. A comprehensive eye test is the most effective method to determine the problems and issues in your vision.
Regular eye tests are also able to detect the possibility of any underlying eye condition long before the symptoms start to show up. Thus, scheduling regular appointments with your eye doctor is also a crucial step in taking care of your eyes.
Taking vision supplements is not the only way to healthy eyes. Moreover, you are guaranteed about the results of these products. So, don’t waste your time or money on these supplements and look for natural ways to improve your eyesight.