I still remember when I was just starting 6^th grade and I made a devastating (to a 6^th grader) discovery. I could not read the teacher’s writing on the chalk board clearly. This was not something I had experienced in the 5^th grade. I could see the writing on the 5^th grade classroom chalk board just fine, or at least I thought I could. I loved school and was truly upset when I couldn’t read the things my new 6^th grade teacher was writing on the chalk board. My eyesight was not good at all. I remember the trip to the optometrist and the happiness I felt when I got my first pair of glasses. I could see the board! It was a great moment.

There was probably not much that could have been done back in 6^th grade to help my eyesight. I probably would have needed to get glasses no matter what I did or tried. But are there things that I can do now to try to maintain good eyesight? Yes! The common thought is that there are things we can do as adults to help us maintain our eyesight. One of the easiest ways to help maintain good eyesight is to eat a diet that contains foods that promote good eye health.

Want to eat right to help maintain your good eyesight? The same foods that are known to help your heart can also help your eyes. Regularly eating these foods can help lead to good eye health:

Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and collards
Leafy green vegetables are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients found in the healthy eye that are believed to lower your risk for things like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Salmon, tuna and other oily fish
There are some studies that suggest that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acid from fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and halibut can reduce the risk of developing certain eye diseases later in life.

Eggs, nuts and beans
Eggs are another good source of lutein and zeaxanthin; mentioned above regarding green leafy vegetables. Legumes of all kinds, including peanuts, contain zinc, a trace mineral that is found in high concentration in the eyes. Almonds contain vitamin E, which research shows slows macular degeneration.

Oranges and other citrus fruits or juice
These fruits contain vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.

Carrots
It isn’t just an old wives tale. Carrots and other orange colored fruits and vegetables contain Beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that helps the retina and other parts of the eye function properly.

 
Add these foods to a lifestyle that promotes good eye health and your eyesight will thank you! An eye healthy lifestyle includes doing things like wearing sunglasses, using safety glasses, taking a break from the computer screen, quitting smoking and remembering to visit the optometrist. Doing all of these things and eating eye healthy foods will help your eye health and help you maintain good eyesight.