Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSPoor diet 'can risk eyesight'
Millions of Britons could be putting their eyesight at risk because they are not aware that a poor diet can affect vision, a new survey suggests.
Around two thirds of people did not know about the link between their choice of food and the health of the eyes, according to a survey by the College of Optometrists.
Studies have shown that a healthy diet containing Vitamins A, C and E and compounds such as lutein, zeaxanthin and Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower the risk of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This affects around 500,000 people and is the leading cause of blindness in the UK.
But 44% of people did not eat enough lutein-rich leafy green vegetables, while 52% did not consume enough oily fish such as mackerel and salmon, the survey of 2,111 people found.
Nutritionist Fiona Hunter said: ‘You don’t need to radically change your diet to eat your way to healthier eyes.
‘Overall, it is recommended that we eat a healthy balanced diet rich in dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, omega 3-rich oily fish and antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. It’s also recommended that we eat at least five portions of fruit and veg a day, but the average Briton is consuming just three.’
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