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Many foods contain nutrients which can help your dry eye. What do different foods provide, and which are best for your eyes?
Take the Dry Eye Quiz to find out if you suffer from dry eyes
Dry eye is an all too common condition and it can be very uncomfortable. While there are many things which can cause dry eye, there are also many things one can do to prevent it.
One way to do so is to increase your intake of important nutrients which improve tear quality and quantity. That can be done through the taking of supplements, but you can also get these nutrients from eating the right foods. In fact, the body absorbs vitamins and other nutrients better through eating food than through taking a pill.
Let’s take a look at several of the foods which are great for helping alleviate your dry eye symptoms.
Fish are a great food to eat if you have dry eye, as they contain important omega-3 fatty acids. These help reduce inflammation in the eyes, particularly in the tear ducts. This helps ensure you have higher quality tears that do what they’re supposed to do.
Most fish contain omega-3s, with some of the best including herring, halibut, tuna, and salmon. Some other seafood, like oysters, are also high in omega-3s. Furthermore seafood such as oysters, clams, crabs, shrimp, and lobster are a great source of zinc.
Seeds can be another source of omega-3 fatty acids, especially for vegetarians and vegans who need an alternative to fish. Chia seeds and flaxseed are great sources of omega-3s, and flaxseed oil is often recommended as an alternative to fish oil.
Nuts are another food high in omega-3s, and also in the antioxidant Vitamin E and Zinc. Vitamin E’s properties enable it to help fight age-related damage to the eyes, which often affects tear production.
Walnuts and cashews in particular are rich in both omega-3s and Vitamin E. Additionally, peanuts, while technically not nuts (they’re legumes) also contain a lot of omega-3s.
Beans contain a high amount of a variety of nutrients and are considered a good part of any healthy diet. Along with being rich in protein and fiber (thus being a good meat substitute), they contain zinc and folate, which are great for your eyes.
Zinc in particular is important because it promotes melanin production, which in turn helps protect your eyes from damage, important for those suffering from dry eye.
Beans are also high in folate. Folate is a nutrient which may prevent vision loss and developmental problems.
Some greens, such as spinach, kale, and collards, are rich in both folate and Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant which prevents damage caused by aging, and has been found to contribute to eye health.Leafy greens are also rich in cartenoids, antioxidants that prevent cellular damage. The three most important nutrients for the eyes are lutein, RR-zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. Of the 600 carotenoids in nature, only three are specifically found in the eye.
While water doesn’t contain any specific nutrients, it is a vital component of healthy tear production, and dry eye is often due to dehydration, especially for those who live in dry, hot places.
Staying properly hydrated is important for overall health, but particularly for the eyes. If there’s not enough water, it’s hard for the body to make enough tears!
These foods are naturally high in Omega 7. Omega-7 helps cell membranes keep moisture and may help dry eyes by reducing redness, irritation, and inflammation.
Eating the right foods can go a long way toward promoting eye health, especially if you suffer from dry eye. However, it is important to not go overboard, as some vitamins can build up in the body and cause negative effects if you eat too much of them. It is advised that you speak with a doctor regarding dietary changes if you are experiencing dry eye, and are seeking to improve your symptoms. If you have questions, or would like to schedule a consultation, you can reach Amplify EyeCare Manhattan at (212) 752-6930. Patients with dry eyes visit our clinic from all over New York, and we are proud to be a leading provider of dry eye care for patients from New York, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island.
At Amplify with Dr Wernick I was seeking help for seemingly intractable, probably age-related dryness. I've seen other doctors about it, and that has been helpful, but what he explained to me about it and the careful way he answered all my questions gave me so much more of a clear understanding of what is going on (and is not) that I am more able to implement all his and others' recommendations than I was before. And he gave me additional resources for further follow-up. I am most grateful.
Wow! This is a great Eye Care medical facility. I was thoroughly examined by Dr. Pinkhasov for over 2 hours. She made sure to check my eyes for pretty much everything and patiently explained proper care for my eyes. They definitely know how to provide great care and treat their patients right. Now I know why they have such a great reputation and been around for so long.
Dr. Kavner is a gifted diagnostician and orthoptic therapist. He treated me several decades ago for a condition similar to dyslexia. I was having migraines five times per week. I worked with him for about a year and I experienced tremendous improvement (down to 3-4 per year) that has lasted.
Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!
Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!
I have always found Dr Kavner's work, expertise and wisdom of the highest caliber. As one of the fathers of OT, occupational othomology, his depth and breadth of knowledge about the eyes' health and wellbeing of the patient is exemplary. Cannot say enough good things about him.
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