We Care for More than Eyes at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley

We’ve all seen First Lady Michelle Obama cheering on Team U.S.A. at the 2012 Olympics and heard about Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s controversial decision to ban the sale of large soda in New York City; so, why all of the recent fuss about healthy living? It turns out that what we eat doesn’t just affect our waistline.

Who would have guessed that our diet can directly impact our vision? We know that diabetes is a growing problem in the United States, but only recently has it been proven that a person with diabetes can suffer from vision impairment, known as diabetic retinopathy. In fact, it is likely that this disease will become more common, as Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign has reported that: “One-third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives.” Other factors associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are correlated with the onset of diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, research has shown that the two leading causes of blindness and visual impairment among millions of aging Americans are impacted by one’s nutrition, which can impact the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

But at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley, we like to remain optimistic. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to reduce the risk of various eye diseases. By adding certain nutrients to your diet, you can help protect your vision and, ultimately, your well-being. According to the American Optometric Association, researchers have linked lutein, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc to a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration. In more common terminology, the foods with these antioxidants that you should be stocking your kitchen with include leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and sweet potatoes.

Remember that old expression, “your eyes are bigger than your stomach?” The next time you reach for that pint of ice cream or bag of potato chips, remember that idiom and consider a healthier snack that will help reduce your risk of eye disease.