Healthy Eye Vitamins: Try These Vitamins for Eye Floaters

What are Eye Floaters?

Have you ever noticed spots, small specks of dust, or wispy threads just drifting across the vision? If yes, then what you most likely have are eye floaters. It may seem as thought these nuisances are on the surface of the eyes, but they are actually inside the eyes.

Eye floaters are caused as a result of the degeneration of the vitreous humor, a jelly-like substance inside the eyes. They do not usually require any treatment; however, there are vitamins for eye floaters. They can help make the eyes healthier and the floaters less bothersome.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness. The human retina contains photopigments that store vitamin A compounds, which is why this nutrient is considered to play an important role in maintaining and improving vision, especially in the adaptation of the eye to low-light conditions and night vision. Although there is no research to prove that vitamin A reduces eye floaters, the fact that it is an important compound stored in the human retina and plays an important role in vision is enough to suggest that this is a healthy eye vitamin that should be included as part of the regular dietary intake. Carrots, spinach, calf liver, eggs, and cow’s milk are good sources of this nutrient.

Vitamin C

As mentioned earlier, floaters are a result of age-related changes in the eyes. They are mostly caused because the jelly-like substance in the eyes, called the vitreous humor, becomes more liquid with age. This causes the tiny fibers in the vitreous humor to clump together and cast shadows on the retina, which results in the appearance of floaters. The vitreous contains high levels of vitamin C, which is why a regular intake of this nutrient is considered to be quite helpful in managing eye floaters. It also helps in strengthening the connective tissue in the eye. Good sources of this nutrient include broccoli, lemons, strawberries, oranges, and grapefruits.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein is an antioxidant occurring naturally in green leafy vegetables, and it is considered to be a beneficial eye vitamin. It has been found that 6-10 mg/day of lutein reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The macula is the fragile center of the retina responsible for central vision and visual acuity. Deterioration of the macula over a lifetime causes AMD. In most cases, eye floaters are also a result of age-related deterioration in the health of the eye. This is why regular intake of lutein and its related compound zeaxanthin can help reduce the prominence of eye floaters. Egg yolks, turnip greens, and fruits such as grapes and mangoes are good sources of this compound.

Besides the above vitamins for eye floaters, it is essential to consume a healthy and balanced diet, exercise regularly, protect the eyes from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, and avoid smoking. Taking good care of the eyes and consuming the above healthy eye vitamins can help in reducing eye floaters and preventing them from becoming more bothersome.

References

Mayo Clinic: Eye Floaters. https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eye-floaters/DS01036

World’s Healthiest Foods: Vitamin A. https://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=106

World’s Healthiest Foods: Vitamin C. https://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=109

Lutein Information Bureau: Lutein and Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD). https://www.luteininfo.com/eye