Vision & Voice
How can
changing
your diet and
exercise regime
improve overall
eye health?
“A healthy lifestyle, including
adding important eye-healthy
foods to your diet and staying
physically active can help to
prevent ocular disease and help
to maintain a lifetime of health-
ier eyes.
Here’s a few simple tips to fol-
low. Adding leafy greens such
as kale and spinach to your diet
everyday and including orange
peppers and eggs a couple of
days per week will increase
your intake of lutein and help to
decrease your risk for age-relat-
ed macular degeneration and
cataracts. Eating fish two to
three times per week will pro-
vide your body with the anti-in-
flammatory effects of DHA and
EPA, important omega-3 fatty
acids and may help to decrease
symptoms of dry eye disease.
In addition to focusing on a
healthy diet, exercising 150
minutes per week, as recom-
mended by Health Canada, will
help to decrease your risk for
cardiovascular disease and type
2 diabetes, helping you to main-
tain optimal retinal health.”
Dr. Laurie Capogna, Ontario
Association of Optometrists.
“
“As many eye diseases, such as
age-related macular degeneration
and diabetic retinopathy, have
a vascular component to them,
keeping the heart and body healthy
through exercise also helps keep the
eyes healthy. And just like a
balanced diet rich in vitamins,
minerals and antioxidants is
good for the body, it is also good
for the eyes.”
Dr. Tammy Labreche,
University of Waterloo, School of
Optometry & Vision Science.
“Studies show that a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, can be a great contributor to improving
and preserving eye health and vision. Choose a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
protein and healthy fats to provide you with vital nutrients for your eyes – and the rest of your body.
Exercise can reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol and intraocular pressure, which have been linked
to complications and/or ailments of the eye, along with other health issues. Exercise also improves
circulation in the body, providing a multitude of benefits everywhere. While leading a healthy lifestyle is
often easier said than done, the benefits are worth the effort.”
Jen Bishop, optician, New Brunswick, Opticians Association of Canada.
8 Optical Prism | January 2020