Aging is inevitable, but are age-related problems like poor eyesight inevitable? Contrary to popular belief, your vision depends largely on your lifestyle. Nourishing your eyes with the proper nutrients over the years can go a long way toward maintaining good vision in your later years.
Even if your vision has started to deteriorate, there is evidence that you can stop it. You can even turn back time and improve your eyesight.
Medical journalist Michael Mosley discusses his experience with vision problems and nutritional interventions on an episode of the BBC program Trust Me, I’m a Doctor.1 The shape and length of the eyeball, as well as the thickness of the lens, affect your ability to see near and far. The retina, at the back of the eye, also contains photoreceptor cells that are essential for good vision.
Your macula—the part of the retina responsible for central vision—is protected by a yellow pigment composed of lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. These compounds absorb light and protect your macula from blue and ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun and other light sources.2
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin are plant compounds with powerful antioxidant capabilities. Your body can’t make them, so you have to get them from your diet. As the BBC points out:3
“Lutein and zeaxanthin are commonly found in dark green leafy vegetables and vegetables such as bell peppers… and saffron. Meso-zeaxanthin is not usually found in plants – it is thought to be produced by lutein in our Made in the body (although it’s also found in some plant fish…) these pigments, once we eat them, are important for our vision and help keep the macula healthy.”
Mosley described that he is undergoing an extensive battery of vision tests designed to assess the health of his retina, his ability to see color, night vision and the level of protection his macula has from ultraviolet and blue light. He explained:4
