According to a recent article by the American Optometric Association people
should take age appropriate steps to keep eyes and vision healthy. When you
are in your 20s and 30s you should consume foods rich in antioxidants such
as lutein and zeaxanthin, essential fatty acids, vitamins C & E and zinc.
In your 40s and 50s people start losing their ability to focus up close and
are more sensitive to light and glare.

You should see your eye doctor because he or she can prescribe glasses or
contacts for your reading and offer suggestions for decreasing glare and
light sensitivity.  Dryness can also hit during this age frame especially
in women in menopause and there are many ways your eye doctor can treat the
dryness.  For age 60s and beyond patients should be vigilant about seeing
their eye doctor to check for diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and
macular degeneration.  Most of these diseases have no early symptoms.

A yearly eye exam is recommended as early as 6mos. Following these simple
steps can help protect the health of your eyes!

Jennine Lutz, O.D.

Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a devastating eye disease and a leading cause of vision loss in people 65 years or older in the United States. Although there is no cure for AMD, recent studies show that eating foods rich in antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, may reduce the risk of AMD, or slow its progression in some people. 

So, what type of foods should you eat?

• Most fruits and vegetables contain Vitamin C, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes.
• Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils (safflower and corn oil), almonds, pecans, wheat germ and sunflower seeds.
• For beta-carotene, try deep orange or yellow fruits and vegetables such as cantaloupe, mangos, apricots, peaches, sweet potatoes and carrots.
• Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, and asparagus are the primary sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
• Good sources of zinc include beef, pork, lamb, oysters, eggs, shellfish, milk, peanuts, whole grains and wheat germ.
• Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are leafy green vegetables, nuts, fish, and vegetable oils such as canola, soy, and especially flaxseed.

George Saunders, CFO