Eye Health & Nutrition
Sight development is very important factor in the normal overall development in children. Deficiency in oculovisual function will often result in the slowing of the child’s physical and intellectual development. Diet is one of the most important factors in oculovision health. To maintain adequate ocular nutrition, the eye requires vitamin A, B Complex, C, and minerals like Zinc, Copper and Selenium. Most of these are to maintain the health of the retina and cornea. It is a well-documented fact that deficiency in certain vitamins can cause severe visual problems. However overdose of vitamin A can be detrimental. Self-medication can also cause severe problems and can be very dangerous sometimes.
- 45 million in India are visually impaired
- 12 million totally blind
- ¼th of the world’s population of blind are in India
- Majority of them are needlessly blind
- 80% live in rural areas
- When the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and interferes with vision, it is called a cataract. In many cases the cause is unknown and in older children they can be caused due to trauma.
- Some cataracts are present at birth and others develop in the first few months.
- Some cataracts will be inherited and others will be related to metabolic and systemic abnormalities.
- When a visually significant cataract occurs in a child, prompt surgery and rehabilitation are required to maximize visual development.
- Macular Degenration is a condition whereby central vision is lost.
- Age causes excessive free radicals to be produced in our body
- Free radicals can damage retina causing blindness
- Vitamins, Minerals & Micronutrients help to combat free radicals
- These are known as antioxidants & have good role in maintaining eye health
- Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage.
- Untreated, it leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve and resultant visual field loss, which can progress to blindness.
- Worldwide, it is the second leading cause of blindness.
- Diabetes is the 6th largest killer
- Type I is genetic and can affect children, becoming apparent in the 1st/2nd decade. When detected, must be treated on priority
- Type II rampant in India as acquired due to Dietary reasons particularly at age >35yrs. Healthy diet can prevent raised blood sugar levels
- Diabetic Retinopathy is a cause of blindness due to leakage of new retinal blood vessels
- Age
- Smoking
- Diet
- Fat - Obesity
- Sunlight
- Gender
- Age causes excessive free radicals to be produced in our body
- Free radicals can damage retina causing blindness
- Vitamins, Minerals & Micronutrients help to combat free radicals
- These are known as antioxidants & have good role in maintaining eye health
- Harms tissues of the eye
- Develop Cataracts & AMD
- Can make diabetes-related sight problems much worse
- Increases free radicals in the body
- Reduces appetite resulting in poor diet
- Creates passive smoking which is as harmful as smoking
- Balanced Diet reduces free radicals
- Fresh fruits & vegetables
- Micronutrients from leafy green vegetables
- Low in saturated fats but rich in omega 3 fats
- Balanced Diet reduces free radicals
- Fresh fruits & vegetables
- Micronutrients from leafy green vegetables
- Low in saturated fats but rich in omega 3 fats
- Eye damage due to continuous exposure to sunlight
- Development of cataracts and AMD
- Reduce exposure to sunlight by wearing good brim caps, sunglasses & standing/playing in shade
- Females have greater risk of visual problems as they tend to live longer than males
- Hormonal influence have been reported
- Girl child has to be made more aware of importance of nutrition & exercise for maintenance of good eye health
- Unpaired free electrons create excessive free radicals in the human body.
- Excessive free radicals produced in our body can damage our eyesight.
- Good nutrition required for both general and eye health
- Xerophthalmia - a common cause of child blindness due to lack of vitamin A
- Good Nutrition prevents/reduces risk for age-related eye diseases
- Neutralization of free radicals
- Bioflavonoids help absorb vitamin C
- Natural Source:
- Citrus Fruits
- Strawberry
- Red pepper(sweet)
- Kale
- Mango
- Strawberry
- Bilberry
- Neutralization of free radicals
- Natural Source:
- Green leafy vegetable
- Nuts
- Vegetable Oil
- Egg Yolk
- Sunflower seeds
- Mango
- Minerals-helps to absorb vitamin A and neutralise free radicals
- Natural Source:
- Egg
- Meat
- Sea Food
- Wheat Germ
- Mineral selenium helps increase Vitamin E action and enables body to make its own antioxidants
- Omega 3 oils helps slowdown age related disorders e.g. AMD & Cataracts
- Natural Sources:
- Sea Food
- Nuts
- Whole Grain
- Wheat Germ
- Minerals
- Natural Source:
- Nuts
- Green leafy vegetable
- Wheat Germ
- Neutralise free radicals
- Alpha Carotene
- Beta Carotene
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Lycopene
- Beta Carotene
- Lutein & Zeaxanthin
- Lycopene
- Natural Source:
- Green leafy vegetable
- Yellow orange fruits & vegetables (papaya, Mango, Cabbage)
- Spinach
- Corn
- Tomatoes
- Green Tea
All the above nutrients can be used to prepare recipes for the better health of the eyes. Here are two preparations which can be given to children in their mid-day meal at school. Teachers and parents who are interested in cooking can prepare a recepie for the mid-day meal of each of the school day. The meal can be tasty and healthy!
References
British Nutrition Foundation BNF (www.nutrition.org.uk)
Royal National Institute for the Blind RNIB (www.rnib.org.uk)
Joyce M. Black & Jane Hokanson Hawks, 2009
Medical-Surgical Nursing, Elsevier