Vitamin C Furthermore, vitamin C seems to play an important role in the processes of corneal wound healing [85]. In diabetic patients, Vitamin C and E supplementation was effective in improving tear production and stability as well as goblet cell density and grade of squamous metaplasia.
Your eye also needs vitamin A to nourish other parts of your eye, including the cornea. Without enough vitamin A, your eyes cannot produce enough moisture to keep them properly lubricated. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children worldwide.
Vitamins are essential nutrients indispensable to many corneal functions. In recent years, the specific role of vitamin D (Vit D) in the maintenance of corneal integrity has been studied in detail [34]. Vit D maintains the corneal epithelial barrier function [35,36] and is needed for survival of endothelial cells [37].
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is a key “anti-stress” vitamin for its ability to decrease inflammation. Studies suggest vitamin B1 may also help prevent diabetic retinopathy — progressive damage to the retina caused by high blood sugar and decreased blood flow.
Vitamin A is an antioxidant that protects the cornea, or outer surface, of the eye. It also maintains function of the retina, the light-sensitive lining that converts light into nerve impulses sent to the brain. Vitamin A is especially important for scotopic (low-light) vision and color vision.
Present in foods having beta-carotenes, vitamin A can be obtained naturally from colourful fruits and vegetables like carrots, pumpkins, and bell peppers. Retinol is a vitamin which is essential for good eyesight.
Xerophthalmia refers to the spectrum of ocular disease caused by severe Vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Vitamin A serves several essential functions in the eye, and deficiency can lead to a constellation of ocular signs and symptoms that affect the conjunctiva, cornea, and retina.
In the cornea, magnesium is shown to be essential in preventing dry eye disease and infection (44) and acts as a neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic agent by reducing nitric oxide synthase and the induction of calcium channels in RGCs (15, 45, 46).
You should also incorporate dark green vegetables into your daily diet. Broccoli, kale, lettuce, and peas are only some of the green vegetables you can eat. Remember, the greener they are, the more nutrients they have for your cornea and other eye structures.
An increase in MMPs may result in abnormal or excessive degradation of the ECM, hindering proper corneal wound healing and leading to RCEs. Other conditions and lifestyle factors associated with improper corneal healing include diabetes, neurotrophic disease, ocular surface disease and smoking.
If you cannot close your eye fully then it's important to administer eye drops to improve lubrication and prevent corneal damage. The normal blinking mechanism of the eye acts to spread the 'tear film' across the outer layer of the cornea. This helps keep the eyes lubricated and provide clear vision.
You may be able to manage your dry eyes with frequent eyelid washing and use of nonprescription eye drops or other products that help lubricate your eyes. If your condition is long term (chronic), use eye drops even when your eyes feel fine to keep them well lubricated.
Vitamin A deficiency, which usually occurs in developing countries, can cause an increase in dry eye. By adding foods rich in Vitamin A, like carrots, pumpkins, apricots, spinach, tomatoes, dairy products and liver, you can prevent the development of this condition.
What should I do if I think I have an inflammatory eye disease? Diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory eye diseases are important. They can cause permanent damage to the eyes and vision loss that cannot be reversed.
Like many nutrients, the amount of vitamin D needed varies with age, and people over 70 may need more. "Taking some vitamin D is OK for an aging population," says Sporny, "but too much vitamin D can cause damage to blood vessels, eye tissue and kidneys."
Strawberries, cranberries, blackberries and blueberries are great superfoods for healthy functioning eyes. Berries are packed with nutritious vitamins and minerals and are of particular benefit in maintaining eye health.
Apply warm compresses to your affected eye. Rinse your eye out with water. Take over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines or allergy medications to soothe itchy eyes. Use OTC artificial tear drops to lubricate dry eyes.
Cold compresses: Cooling the area lessens inflammation and swelling by reducing blood flow. You can place anything cold, such as an ice pack, frozen bag of vegetables, chilled cucumber slices or refrigerated spoons, over closed eyes for a few minutes.
“You can get the vitamins you need through your diet. And there is little evidence connecting vitamin supplements with improved eye health.” There's one exception for a specific eye condition: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Disturbed or blurred vision can also occur as a result of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. This happens when the deficiency causes damage to the optic nerve that leads to your eyes. The nervous signal that travels from the eye to the brain is disturbed due to this damage, leading to impaired vision.