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Vitamins for the eyes - Vitamin B

B vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism. A deficiency in B-2 might also result in eye problems such as redness and irritation. You might also experience eye fatigue and light sensitivity. Vitamin B-2 might also help prevent cataracts, an eye condition that gradually affects the clarity of the lens inside the eye, resulting in cloudy vision. A deficiency in vitamin B-1, also known as thiamine, might cause eye muscle weakness and uncontrollable trembling. In rare instances, a deficiency in vitamin B-12 might also result in eye movement disorders. Vitamin B-12 is a nutrient found in many animal-based foods, and people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet have a higher risk for a deficiency. If you have low levels of vitamin B-12, you might experience loss of vision or double vision as a result of inadequate intake. B vitamins can be found in a variety of foods such as meat, soy beverages, grains and vegetables and fruits.

Vitamins for the eyes - Vitamin A

Vitamin A actually is a group of compounds that play an important role in vision, bone growth and health of the immune system. Vitamin A also causes the surface of the eye and skin to be effective barriers to bacteria and viruses, reducing the risk of eye infections, respiratory problems and other infectious diseases. A lack of vitamin A causes the cornea to become very dry, leading to clouding of the front of the eye and vision loss. Vitamin A deficiency also causes damage to the retina, which also contributes to blindness. Good sources of vitamin A are milk, eggs, liver, cereals, darkly colored orange or green vegetables (such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and kale), and orange fruits such as cantaloupe, apricots, peaches, papayas, and mangos

Eye diseases common in seniors

Vision loss among the elderly is a major health care problem especially by the age of 65. The most common causes of vision loss among the elderly are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy. Age-related macular degeneration is characterized by the loss of central vision. Glaucoma results in optic nerve damage and visual field loss. Because this condition may not have any symptoms initially, regular screening examinations are recommended for elderly patients. Cataract is a common cause of vision impairment among the elderly, but surgery is often effective in restoring vision. Diabetic retinopathy may be observed in the elderly at the time of diagnosis or during the first few years of diabetes. Patients should undergo eye examinations with dilation when diabetes is diagnosed and annually thereafter