Eat right to protect your sight. That’s the advice of the Glaucoma Research Foundation, which offers its recipe for healthier eyes.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive vision loss through damage to the optic nerve. It is the second-leading cause of blindness. It occurs five times more often in Blacks and about 10 years earlier in Blacks than other ethnic groups, according to the foundation.
As with other health issues, good nutrition can make a difference for your eyes, the foundation notes.
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Which foods can prevent glaucoma?
Fruits and veggies
Fruits and veggies are good sources of vitamins A and C, as well as the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These can protect against oxidative stress associated with damage to the optic nerve and other tissues of the eye in glaucoma.
A study that included 584 Black women found that those who consumed three or more fruit or juice servings daily were 79% less likely to have glaucoma than those who had less than one.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens are one of those veggies to focus on. Research has found a link between kale and spinach consumption and a reduced risk of glaucoma, according to the foundation.
Eating leafy greens is also linked to lower rates of inflammation, cancer, heart disease and even the eye disorder macular degeneration.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E, which is important for keeping cells healthy and protecting them from