2009-03-03 14:50:04 -

In honor of March's Save Your Vision Month, the American Optometric Association (AOA) reminds Americans that caring for eyes includes paying attention to nutrition.


Approximately 43 million Americans suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or cataracts, the two leading causes of vision loss and blindness. Based on research from multiple studies, there is a strong correlation between good nutrition and the prevention of these age-related eye diseases. By eating foods rich in key nutrients " antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, essential fatty acids, vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc " you can help protect your eye sight and vision.


Research shows that 30 million (or one out of four) Americans age 40 and older suffer

from some level of vision loss. According to the AOA's 2008 American Eye-Q® survey, which assesses public knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issues related to eye and visual health, only 29 percent of Americans are coping with vision loss or other eye problems by increasing nutrients for healthy eyes.


Healthy Fruits and Vegetables


Together, the AOA and registered dietician Elizabeth Somer recommend eating a diet with a variety of foods loaded with key nutrients for maintaining and improving eye health, such as lutein (LOO-teen) and zeaxanthin.


The American Eye-Q® survey showed that nearly half of all Americans (48 percent) still believe carrots are the best food for eye health. While carrots do contain nutritional value by supplying the provitamin A beta-carotene - which is essential for night vision -spinach and other dark, leafy greens prove to be the healthiest foods for eyes because they naturally contain large amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin.


The AOA, along with nutritional ingredient manufacturers Kemin and DSM, recommend the following foods which contain the key nutrients for eye health:


- Lutein and zeaxanthin: Colorful fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, green beans, peas, oranges and tangerines
- Essential fatty acids: Fatty fish like tuna, salmon, or herring, whole grain foods, chicken and eggs
- Vitamin C: Fruits and vegetables, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes
- Vitamin E: Vegetable oils, such as safflower or corn oil, almonds, pecans, sweet potatoes, and sunflower seeds
- Zinc: Extra-lean red meat, poultry, liver, shellfish, milk, baked beans, and whole grains
To learn more, please visit www.aoa.org/


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For American Optometric Association

Media:

Madonna Duncan, 312-255-3143

madonna.duncan@hillandknowlton.com