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Drops are always relied on to treat dry eyes. However, try this time to leave your eye drops and switch to eating the right foods. Yes, foods with good nutrition can help treat dry eyes. Then, what types of foods can treat dry eyes?
6 types of food that can treat dry eyes
Dry eye is one of the most common eye problems. This makes the eyes easily irritated and can even reduce the ability to see. Some people always use drops as a solution for dry eyes. In fact, you can actually double-check what food sources you consume on a daily basis.
Reporting from the Nutrition Facts page, foods with the right nutritional content can treat dry eyes by increasing tear production. So from now on, if your eyes are dry, try consuming foods that have been proven to replace your food sources with food sources that are believed to be effective for increasing tear production. Patients with dry eyes should reduce their intake of protein, fat and excessive cholesterol a little.
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C contains ascorbic acid which is essential for eye health. Eating foods rich in vitamin C has been shown to improve blood vessels in the eyes and help prevent cataracts. You can get good sources of vitamin C from oranges, spinach, tomatoes, bananas, apples and grapes.
2. Vitamin E
If you don't want dry eyes, you can also rely on foods that are high in vitamin E. The reason is, this type of vitamin is able to protect eye cells from damage. Even vitamin E is also nutritious for maintaining the immune system. So, from now on, make sure that foods like nuts and sweet potatoes - which are rich in vitamin E - are in your diet every day.
3. Lutein and zeaxanthin
Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that can prevent chronic eye disease and help keep eye cells healthy. Of course, dry eye problems can also be overcome by eating foods that contain these antioxidants. Examples include eggs, broccoli, cabbage, corn and spinach.
4. Omega 3 fatty acids
Foods high in omega 3 are foods that can treat dry eyes. According to Dr. Marc Grossman, people who experience dry eye events began to show an increase in tear production within 10 days after increasing consumption of foods containing essential fatty acids.
Omega 3 is able to stimulate the glands in the eyes (meibomian glands) to produce oil in the tears. This oil is used to keep tears from drying out quickly, so that the eyes always feel moist. Food sources rich in omega 3 fatty acids are salmon, sardines, tuna, anchovies, fish oil, soybeans, green and leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds.
5. Zinc
So far, vitamin A is known for its properties to protect and prevent eye damage. However, not many people know that zinc helps the eyes to get vitamin A, which is then used for the formation of eye melanin.
Melanin is a pigment found in the iris, which is used to determine the color of the iris. So if you notice everyone's eye color is not the same, it depends on how much melanin is in the iris. Just as melanin determines skin and hair color.
If your zinc needs are not fulfilled properly, then your eye is at high risk for infection. Zinc cannot be produced by the body, therefore it is important to meet its needs from the foods you consume such as oysters, lobster, beef, salmon, milk and eggs.
6. Potassium
Lastly, potassium is a nutrient for the eyes that is important to fulfill. Lack of potassium can cause dry eyes. So, so that the eyes do not dry out quickly, you should consume potassium sources such as almonds, bananas, raisins, dates and avocados.
