Eat Your Carrots?

Through our two decades of seeing patients, I’ve heard my husband say many times, “Eat your carrots.” Hey, even growing up, I heard it too. But is there really any truth to the idea that eating carrots helps your eye health?

Some wives’ tales are completely false, yet others have a thread of truth—and this is one of them. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. The eyes love vitamin A, especially the front surface of the eye.

However, there’s more than meets the eye here. Over the years, researchers have learned that other antioxidants play an enormous role in supporting various parts of the eye.

Key carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to increase tear quality and keep the macula—the sweet spot of the eye—nice and healthy. Lutein is found in spinach, kale, broccoli, corn, avocados, and egg yolks.

Although it’s not as commonly talked about, zeaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant for the eyes as well. Grab some red grapes, orange peppers, and mangos to get your daily serving of zeaxanthin.

Most of the essential nutrients for our eyes come from our diet. But to be honest, many of us aren't eating the “colors of the rainbow” like we’ve been told to. In our household with very active boys, it’s definitely a challenge to get the variety of nutrients we need.

And while fresh food is always the best source, adding a high-quality supplement that contains at least 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin can be like money in the bank when it comes to keeping your eyes healthy for the long haul! At Lumen Eyecare we examine your tear quality and production as well as taking readings of your macula to detect early signs of change. Come see us at Lumen and be proactive with your ocular health!