Nutrition for Eye Health (Eye of the Beholder)

Deficiencies of key eye health nutrients plague both the developed and undeveloped world. A team of Australian eye health researchers explained vitamin A plays a role in the retinal response to light and in ocular growth, B12 is needed for healthy optic nerves, vitamin E is concentrated in the photoreceptors and protects from oxidation, iron is vital for myelin (protective sheath around nerves, such as the optic nerve), and zinc is involved in retinal metabolism and is in highest concentration in the cornea. They noted lack of nutrients such as vitamins A, C, E, B and both iron and zinc has consequences for systemic and ocular health, as well as visual function.⁴⁹ However, they emphasized “deleterious effects can often be improved through appropriate supplementation.”

Just look at the work of Vitamin Angels, which has been helping to extinguish childhood blindness due to vitamin A deficiency, especially in underdeveloped countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported as many as 100 million to 140 million children under the age of 5 may be suffering from low vitamin A levels, which can lead to blindness. Early intervention with vitamin A supplements has proven effective in reversing this deficiency in children, especially in tandem with tablets targeting digestive worms, which consume vitamin A in many of these children.

Getting a good start on eye health is important to a life of wonderful sights. DHA appears not only crucial for brain development, but also for infants’ visual acuity, based on the mother’s DHA intake and levels.⁵⁰ University of Connecticut researchers confirmed a marked decrease in neural DHA accumulation in infants, in cases of maternal DHA deficiency.⁵¹ They concluded DHA is accumulated at an accelerated rate during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, and DHA supplementation during pregnancy encourages the maturation of the visual system.

Wayne State University ophthalmology scientists also pointed to the third trimester, finding an association between higher cord DHA concentration and more optimal visual, cognitive and motor development.⁵² They suggested substantial increases in maternal DHA intake during the third trimester for better synaptogenesis in brain and photoreceptor development.

The Unilever Corp. took its research to term infants, supplementing the babies with daily doses of 100 mg of DHA plus 200 mg of arachidonic acid.⁵³ The supplements improved visual development, as measured by electrophysiological tests. Gauging long-term visual outcomes, the Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, looked at toddlers at age four and found earlier DHA and ARA-supplementation via infant formula supported visual acuity and IQ maturation similar to that of children who were breast-fed as infants.⁵⁴

Sight is one of the most precious of the senses but can be challenged at any age. Attention to nutrient intake, from infancy to old age, is an important approach to keeping eyes healthy and eyesight crisp and clear. Vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, fatty acids and various other ingredients offer valuable tools for eye health regimens, from AMD and cataract management to general visual strength and clarity. 

References on the next page

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