Month: December 2015

Dietary habits can actually influence the quality of our eye health. For instance, research studies show that doctors are now identifying links between bad dietary habits and eye diseases. For this reason, it is important to significantly reduce or eliminate bad dietary habits and abstain from substances that can actually worsen your eyesight. Things that are bad for your vision include some risk factors for eye problems such as smoking, and the continual over- consumption of junk food.

Cigarette Smoking – Here are some of the effects of cigarette smoking on eye health: According to health experts smoking can increase the risk for eye problems such as Cataracts compared to individuals who are non- smokers where the risk is lower. Several medical studies have actually shown that smokers actually double their chances of developing Cataracts and the longer the smoking habit persists, the higher the risk increases for this particular eye condition.

Smoking also increases the risks for eye diseases such as Macular Degeneration which is also the leading cause of blindness in America. This condition has a negative effect on the Retina. This part of the eye assists in performing important daily tasks such as reading and driving. This is due to the fact that it affects visual acuity (sharpness of eyesight). Smoking triples the risk for age related Macular Degeneration. Smoking also leads to the development of dry eye syndrome. This is due to the fact that Cigarettes consists of a substance that is an eye irritant that can cause and also aggravate dry eye symptoms. One thing that you can do to improve and protect your vision is quitting smoking.

Junk Food – According to a study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, overindulgence in junk foods may increase the risks for the development of Age Related Macular Degeneration which causes an impairment in central vision.

This study involving a group of individuals ranging from age 55-80 showed that certain types of fats especially those involved in making highly processed store – bought junk foods may actually double an individual’s risk for Macular Degeneration if eaten in excess. The foods include Linoleic Acid, Vegetable Oils, Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats. Some foods that are bad for your eyes containing these fats are the following: Margarine, French Fries, Potato Chips etc. Also included in the study were commercially prepared pies,cakes, chocolates, Cookies, Peanut Butter and surprisingly, even nuts made the list!

This study covered by ABC New’s “Good Morning America” program revealed that it was the first to link bad nutrition and bad dietary habits directly to eye diseases since it was previously thought that smoking was the only established link. Read more about this study here by clicking on the following link: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126765

The study suggests that increasing your intake in foods good for eyes such as Albacore Tuna, Salmon and other types of fish, with a decreased intake of Linoleic Acid,(substances found in processed food and Margarine), could decrease your risk of Macular Degeneration. Studies also indicate that food for the eyes such as Green Vegetables have a similar positive effect on improving eye health.

Your eye health is of vital importance to you. Therefore, making wise choices in your dietary habits and eliminating risks factors such as smoking can go a long way in significantly reducing your risks for eye diseases later on in life.