We are frequently reminded about how we can alter our diets to maintain a healthy weight and heart but eating for our eye health is not something people consider enough. A few simple adjustments to what you eat can not only help you maintain and enhance the condition of your eyes but also prevent you from losing one of your most important senses.
“Age is the main cause of age-related macular degeneration but there are other risk factors that can be reduced if we make clever lifestyle choices,” said Mark Cahill, consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and the Beacon Clinic, Sandyford. “Giving up smoking is one and ensuring a healthy diet has also been proven to help prevent the onset of AMD. Foods like spinach, avocados, and broccoli are rich in vitamins and nutrients that can help keep our eyes healthy and reduce the risk of developing blindness.”
Our diets have a direct impact on the health of our eyes and a healthy diet can help prevent the onset of conditions like AMD, which affects one in 10 people over the age of 50 in Ireland. The most obvious symptoms of AMD are distortion and blurring in the centre of vision and the earlier a person identifies that he has a problem with his sight, the sooner they can make the adjustments which will help him maintain a full and independent life.
For more information on AMD and to download the full recipe booklet, visit www.amd.ie The booklet includes a number of recipes such as sweet potato burritos, banana and walnut bread, asparagus, spinach and gruyere omelette, carrot and raisin muffins, and strawberry lemonade.
