Nutrition and LASIK surgery: the link to maintaining eye health

Maintaining good eye health is something everyone should take seriously, especially if you’re thinking about undergoing LASIK surgery. While LASIK surgery can vastly improve your vision and quality of life, you should know that it’s not a cure for all eye conditions. Therefore, it’s important to maintain healthy eyes both before and after surgery. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the link between nutrition and LASIK surgery and how proper nutrition can help you maintain and improve your eye health.

How diet plays a significant role in your eye health

Diet plays a significant role in the health of your eyes¹https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/9/2123/htm, and therefore it’s important to consume certain nutrients to maintain good eye health. An essential vitamin for your eyes is vitamin E. Vitamin E helps to protect your eyes from free radical damage. Some of the best sources for vitamin E²https://www.nature.com/articles/eye199821 can be found in nuts, seeds, spinach, and leafy green vegetables. Including these foods in your diet not only benefits your eyes but also your overall health.

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for healthy eyes as they can help reduce dry eye syndrome³https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4165511/. These fatty acids can be found in fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, and tuna. In case you’re a vegetarian or you don’t eat fish, you can consume chia seeds, flax seeds, and soy products to get your daily recommended amount.

Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can also benefit your eye health⁴https://www.phytojournal.com/archives?year=2012&vol=1&issue=1&ArticleId=5&si=false. Antioxidants are known to reduce the risk of eye diseases and conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Some of the best antioxidant sources include red-ripened tomatoes, berries, citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and beans.

Another important nutrient for maintaining eye health is zinc⁵https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/zinc-vision. Zinc helps to transport vitamin A from the liver to the retina, maintaining healthy cells in the eyes. Some of the best sources of zinc include beef, pork, chicken, legumes, and dairy products. Vegetarians or those who don’t consume dairy can opt for zinc-fortified cereals or nuts, but it’s always better to consult your doctor or nutritionist, especially if you’re going through LASIK surgery.

Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining good eye health, especially for those getting LASIK surgery. However, no amount of nutrition can replace professional eye exams and check-ups, and treatments so make sure to consult your doctor or us for guidance on how to maintain or boost your eye health. Remember, healthy eyes equals healthy vision, so let’s make sure to take care of them! Book a free assessment with us to find out more about LASIK surgery.