Summer Foods for Healthy Eyes

May is designated as Healthy Vision Month!

Approximately 37 million American adults have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy, and nearly 600,000 people in Hawaii have prediabetes or diabetes, which affects many areas of the body including the eyes! This is why the American Academy of Ophthalmology has designated May as Healthy Vision Month, to raise awareness of the preventative measures you should take to protect your vision.

One of the most effective (and tastiest!) ways to maintain healthy vision is through a nutritious and balanced diet and a holistic lifestyle. This will give your eyes the nutrients and vitamins it needs to stimulate and maintain proper cell growth and function. A balanced diet will also help to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check which also helps to decrease your risk of developing eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy and visual degeneration.

Luckily for us, summer in Hawaii means tons of local produce are in season and readily available, and superfoods is our specialty. A variety of nutrients and antioxidants can be found in Hawaii’s abundance of crops and seafood, which help to improve eye health and decrease the risk of certain ocular diseases.

The Hawaiian Eye Center urges everyone to take advantage of summer’s supply of fresh foods, and look out for these local ingredients to support strong eye health:
● Pineapple and lychee are great sources of Vitamin C and packed with antioxidants
● Avocados provide loads of Vitamin E
● Taro is jam-packed with nutrients such as zinc, iron, potassium, and vitamins A, C, E, B6
● Mangoes, sweet potatoes, and papaya are great sources for receiving Beta-carotene
● Local species of mushrooms and seaweed provide Beta-glucans
● Leafy, green vegetables such as watercress, taro greens, and bok choy are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin
● Omega-3 fatty acids are found in many varieties of local fish: tuna, opah, sablefish (AKA butterfish) and swordfish

As Dr. Steven Rhee, of Hawaiian Eye Center states, “We are all fortunate to live in a place where holistic lifestyles are encouraged and accessible to everyone. This may be the key to preserving Hawaii’s eye health.”