Eyesight: Two smelly foods which could be ‘great’ for your eye health
Boris Johnson suggests coronavirus affected his eyesight
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Your diet plays a vital role in the health of your heart and blood vessels, both of which can then go on to influence your eye health. The NHS notes: “An eye test is not just good for checking whether your glasses are up-to-date. It’s also a vital check on the health of your eyes.”
Healthline has outlined a number of foods which are good for eye health, including two which some people may find a tad smelly.
The first are eggs. The site says: “Eggs are a great food to eat for eye health. The yolks contain vitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc, which are all vital to eye health.”
The site adds that fish, particularly salmon, “can be a great food to consume for eye health”.
“Salmon and other fish have omega-3 fatty acids. These are “healthy” fats. Omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to visual development and the health of the retina in the back of the eye. They can also help prevent dry eyes,” it notes.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) explains that there is evidence to show that a healthy diet prevents the development of eye conditions, “although this link isn’t as strong as it is for other conditions such as heart disease”.
The charity also notes that some of the health complications of being overweight can cause problems that can affect your sight.
“These include retinal vessel occlusions, diabetic eye problems and eye conditions related to stroke.
“You can reduce your risk of developing these conditions, which can lead to sight loss, by maintaining a healthy weight or by losing weight if you need to,” it notes.
RNIB explains that how your diet may affect your eye condition depends a lot on the eye condition you have been diagnosed with.
There are several other factors that can affect your eye health, according to the NHS.
The health body says: “If you smoke you’re much more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, which is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK, and cataracts, than people who do not smoke.”
It adds: “Getting out in the sun is important for your general health, but you need to protect yourself. Never look at the sun directly, even when something exciting such as an eclipse is happening.”
Some eye problems can occur with age. Indeed, the NHS says: “Because our eyesight changes as we get older, almost all of us will need to wear glasses or contact lenses by the time we’re 65.
“If you have regular eye tests, wear the right lenses and look after your eyes, there’s a better chance your sight will remain clear.”
Age UK notes: “Vision problems can lead to a higher risk of falls, driving accidents, and incorrect use of medications. They can also make day-to-day life harder.
“The best way to make sure your eyes are healthy is to have regular eye checks. Many eye diseases can be treated successfully if they are detected early.”
It adds: “Eye diseases don’t always cause obvious symptoms. An eye test by an optician doesn’t just check to see whether you need glasses – it’s also an important check on the health of your eyes.
“An optician can detect eye diseases at an early stage, usually before you’ve even noticed any changes. An eye test checks your vision straight ahead, as well as your side (peripheral) vision.”
The NHS says: “If you can’t leave your home because of illness or disability, you can have an NHS eye test at home.
“Contact your usual optician to find out if they can visit you at home.”
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