Vision and Nutrition

Modern medicine or Nature's Way?
For 25 years I relied on doctors for my health, because modern medicine likes us to believe that we are born with a deficiency of drugs and an excess of body parts.  Since then I've learned that we mostly just tend to overdose on unnatural foods & drinks, and all we really lack is a thorough understanding of the laws of nature.  For instance, some people who have dry eyes are simply dehydrated and/or don't blink enough, and the dry eyes are really not due to an eye-drop deficiency.

I believe the ideal method of taking the necessary nutrients in the quantities required is of course Nature's way, i.e. to eat fresh natural foods which have not been artificially interfered with or processed.  For the best nutritional value, your diet should include lots of whole, fresh, ripe, raw, organic foods, preferably grown in mineral rich soils.  Rather than spending time and money on supplements, spend a little time studying which nutrients are in which foods, or what the body requires to make its own supply. Eating fresh organic, if possible home-grown, foods is most beneficial to your health.

Best food for your eyes:
Most people instantly think of carrots when asked to name a food that's good for their eyes.  You may be surprised that the number one food for the eyes is actually kale.  The following is a list of foods that promote eye-health.
Dark green leafy vegetables: kale, spinach, fresh parsley, collard greens, mustard greens.
Yellow/orange vegetables: carrots, corn, pumpkin.
Other vegetables: broccoli, green peas, brussels sprouts.
Yellow/orange fruits as well as most berries, especially bilberries and blueberries.  
For some guidance regarding what nutrients are found in what foods, see this Nutrition Chart book (free download)

Supplements
If you do wish to try supplements, Vision Works USA sells a large range of products for most vision conditions and they will ship worldwide. Vision supplements can be useful in helping the body and eyes get back into balance. However, for the long term it is best to assess how the deficiency came about, address that problem, and implement appropriate changes in diet or lifestyle. There simply is no better way to get all the nutrients you need than through delicious healthy whole foods.  

Food is not only your best medicine, it is your only medicine
Edward C Kondrot, MD
(Author of 'Healing the Eye the Natural Way')

What to avoid
To create health, it's not only important what you eat but also what you leave out of your diet. The following are best avoided or at least minimized, especially if you currently have health/vision challenges:

Caffeinated beverages: Coffee, soft drinks, regular tea and any caffeinated herb tea.
Sugar: white, brown, turbinado, cane, raw, dextrose, maltose, glucose, maltose, aspartame and all artificial sweeteners. Instead satisfy your sweet tooth by eating fruits which provide natural sugars that the body can easily deal with.
Alcohol: Alcohol destroys many vital nutrients; drinkers require a higher dosage of vitamins.
Artificial colors, flavorings or preservatives, Dairy products, Grains, White Flour, Refined flours, MSG, Table salt, Hydrogenated oils, Fried foods

These are the sources of the information presented on this page:
Self Test Nutrition Guide - Cass Igram, DO
Nutrition and the Eyes, Volumes I-III - Bill Sardi
Natural Eye Care, an Encyclopedia - Marc Grossman, OD, LAc & Glen Swartwout, OD
Healing the Eye the Natural Way - Edward C Kondrot, MD
Nutrition in Eye Health and Disease - Stanley C Evans, Ophthalmic Nutritionist & Orthoptist