OCULAR NUTRITION

East Norwich Optics is your source for ocular nutrition services in East Norwich, Oyster Bay, Syosset, NY and all the surrounding areas. Ocular nutrition is the process of focusing on eating whole foods which contain certain key nutrients that promote good eye health. It can also involve supplementation to ensure sufficient intake of the ideal eye vitamins and minerals. Read on to learn what types of nutrients you should be looking for to keep your eyes in tip-top shape! Feel free to reach out to our eye doctors for further information or to schedule an eye exam to test for any deficiencies.

Top Eye Vitamins, Minerals & More for Ocular Nutrition

What is an antioxidant?

An antioxidant neutralizes free radicals. Free radicals are created when we metabolize food for energy or from the body fighting damage from ultraviolet radiation. Cumulative damage from ultraviolent rays has been found to play a role in cataract formation and damage to the macula causing Age-Related Macula Degeneration (AMD). Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables contribute to the antioxidant activity needed to combat these free radicals. However, sometimes we need more help so we can add dietary supplements and/or medical food.

What is the difference between a dietary supplement and a medical food?

A dietary supplement is a product intended to add further nutritional value to supplement your diet. In contrast a medical food has distinct nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, to help manage a disease or condition to avoid development or progression of the disease/condition; it is administered under physician supervision.

What are Carotenoids?

There are 42 carotenoids in nature and they can be found in colorful fruits and vegetables such as carrots, spinach, bright peppers, papaya, beets, etc. In the retina, carotenoids, specifically Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-zeaxanthin, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities to naturally filter the blue light damage which bombards our eyes every day.

Lutein and Zeaxantin help filter out harmful blue light & help night vision and contrast sensitivity. Best sources for lutein are spinach, eggs, and broccoli. A very potent antioxidant, zeaxanthin, is found in the fovea, the place of central vision – the place we see the sharpest.

The most powerful is Meso-zeaxanthin is found in the foveola (central area of the macula), it is produced in the eye from lutein and can be found in eggs and marine algae.

What is Astaxanthin?

It is the most powerful antioxidant found in nature and 6,000 times more powerful than Vitamin C. In the eye, it boosts blood flow to enable us to have a more dynamic focus for less eye strain. Astaxanthin in the anterior segment helps reduce eye fatigue and strain & helps focusing ability and depth perception. It is found in wild salmon and shrimp and this powerful antioxidant has been found to alter the cancer pathway. 

What is AREDS?

AREDS were clinical trials to determine if AMD can be reduced with certain vitamins. The AREDS1 formulation found that advanced AMD patients taking antioxidants and Zinc decreased their vision loss by 19%. In the second trial, AREDS2, Lutein, Zeaxanthin and marine Omega 3 were added to the AREDS1 formula and the result found an additional 25% reduction. The current AREDS2 formula has been tweaked but the main ingredients are Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin E.

What are Omega 3 Fatty Acids?

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) found in flaxseed and chia seeds, Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docasahexaenoic Acid (DHA) which are found in fish oil, krill oil, and the microalgae that the fish consume.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is involved in the function of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune and endocrine systems in the body.

Docasahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is found in the retina and plays a role in the functioning of the rods in the retina.

There are many studies over the last 20 years finding that a higher intake of EPA and DHA can reduce dry eye symptoms.

What is Grape Seed?

The Polyphenols (found in grape seed extract) such as quercetin and resveratrol have robust anti-viral properties and promote vascular function. Recent studies have linked it and Ginkgo Biloba with increased vascularity to increase ocular blood flow; this may be significant as a complement to anti-glaucoma medications.

What is Turmeric?

Curcumin is the bioactive substance within the turmeric root that helps fights inflammation at the molecular level. It has also been shown to deliver a one-two punch against free radicals; it blocks them directly, then stimulates your body’s own antioxidant & immune defenses.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is the most abundant antioxidant in the tear film and the aqueous humor. It is found in many fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits, broccoli, peppers, kale, etc. Kale is especially rich in antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin C, as well as various flavonoids and polyphenols that help counteract oxidative damage by free radicals in the body to help protect the body as we age.

What are Flavenoids?

The Flavenoids are a type of antioxidant that can help reduce damage to cells, delay mental decline and boost the activity of your immune system. Blueberry is rich in flavonoids.

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is an important vitamin for eye health and an essential nutrient that plays a key role in your immunity, eye health and skin health. Not only is it needed for optimal photoreceptor health, but it is also important in the production of mucin (the innermost layer of the tear film responsible for lubrication). Parsley as well as sweet potatoes, carrots, fish (tuna), winter squashes, dark leafy greens, cantaloupe, lettuce, bell peppers, pink grapefruit, and broccoli are rich in Vitamin A. 

What is Gamma Linoleic Acid?