How To Maintain Good Vision As You Get Older

Many usually know that fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and other plant chemicals (phytochemicals) that help prevent heart disease and cancer. But did you know that antioxidant nutrients also help save eyesight?

This means that if you eat your fruits and veggies you'll have good vision when you get to 60 and beyond. In fact studies reveal that you'll certainly have better vision than you would if you ate junk food instead.

Here's why: There is some indication that cell damage caused by highly reactive oxygen molecules (free radicals) plays a role in an eye condition known as macular degeneration. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize these free radicals and prevent them from doing harm. And fruits and vegetables, especially leafy vegetables, are simply your best sources of these beneficial substances.

Your macula (central portion of the retina) begins to break down around age 60. As it degenerates, central vision and fine detail perception deteriorate. This actually is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. You're at somewhat greater risk of having macular degeneration if you are farsighted or smoke cigarettes. People with light-colored eyes and a family history of the condition are also at greater risk.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and its relatives, blueberry, cranberry, huckleberry, blackberry, grape, plum and wild cherry have been used traditionally for probelms with visual acuity. And scientific research has validated this folk medicine approach.

In one study, daily treatment with 400 milligrams of bilberry and 20 milligrams of beta-carotene improved most participants' night vision and enlarged their visual fields.