Everyone knows Vitamin A is good for your eyes. Carrots, a good source of Vitamin A, have even entered into modern mythos as a key to sharper night vision. Whether there’s truth to that old saw or it was simply used as a propaganda ploy during World War II, we do know that Vitamin A is essential to battling cataracts, macular degeneration and xerophthamia. If carrots aren’t your bag, go for sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, apricots, cantaloupe, bell peppers, fish or liver for your Vitamin A fix.

In addition to Vitamin A, we should seek out a few other nutrients to add to our diet for good eye health.

Vitamin C and E, copper, zinc and selenium help protect your cells from oxidative stress and free radicals. Get your Vitamin C from oranges, and other citrus, peppers, strawberries and broccoli. Sunflower seeds and oil plus almonds, peanuts, spinach, salmon and avocado are good sources of Vitamin E. Oysters and other shellfish, dairy products and wheat germ are rich in selenium, copper and zinc.

Resveratrol also protects your cells from oxidative damage and can be found in grapes, blueberries and cranberries…or the ever-popular glass of wine.

Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain healthy vision (in addition to normal brain function and blood pressure). Salmon, sardines, and other oily fish, navy beans, lentils,and flax seed oil can get you the omega-3s you need to keep your peepers fit.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin enrich macular pigment in the eye, protecting against the harmful effects of light, and you can find them in green veggies like spinach, kale, broccoli and peppers.

So the next time you’re cruising the aisles of the grocery, keep an eye out for the provisions that will keep your ocular orbs in good working order!