Eighty percent of all cases of blindness can be prevented or treated; the right to sight can and must be fulfilled

World Sight Day is an annual event focusing on the problem of global blindness; it aims to raise public awareness around the world about the prevention and treatment of loss of vision. 

Every five seconds one person in the world goes blind. One child goes blind every minute. It is estimated that over seven million people become blind every year.

“VISION 2020: The Right to Sight” is a global initiative, launched in 1999, which aims to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. VISION 2020 programmes have been adopted in more than 40 countries.

Foods That Help to Improve Eyesight

Ocular nutrition and eye health is an important part of helping maintain our vision and eye health as we age. One can safely say that every part of the human eye needs ocular nutrition support and nutrition to improve eye health.

As we age, many things can go wrong with our vision. Ultraviolet light from the sun can damage the lens and the cornea. Wind, dust, chlorine fumes, automobile fumes, freezing temperatures and physical injury are examples of threats to good vision.

Vibration from driving and hitting potholes has a cumulative negative impact on eye health as well as long hours spent in front of a computer screen. And certainly we need foods that help to promote healthy eyes.

Key points to remember: 
 
•Eat a good, balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

•New research suggests antioxidants and good nutrition may help prevent cataracts.Foods rich antioxidant vitamins like vitamin A and C, E may reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Zinc helps your body absorb antioxidant vitamins and may have its own protective effects.

•Both flaxseed oil and fish oil may help relieve dry eyes and reduce the risk of other eye problems. 

•Discuss your diet or taking a vitamin supplement with your Dietician if you believe that your diet may be inadequate.

•The biggest avoidable risk is smoking.

•Protect your eyes from sunlight. Use good quality sunglasses, Wearing a brimmed hat also offers very good protection.

•Get your eyes tested at least every two years and more frequently if necessary. 

Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife – Diet and lifestylemakeover