Good Eye Health & Vitamin A
“Without enough vitamin A, your eyes cannot produce enough moisture to keep them properly lubricated,” according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Not getting enough vitamin A can be tragic and fatal. Worldwide, vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness, according to the AAO. Annually, 250,000 to 500,000 children become blind every year because of a lack of sufficient vitamin A.
If you’re severely deficient in vitamin A, you can develop a serious condition called xerophthalmia, says Lisa Jones, a registered dietitian based in Philadelphia. This condition is characterized by abnormal dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye, with inflammation and ridge formation. “However, research suggests that there is a reduced risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration if you have a high intake of vitamin A.”