eye health

15 Ways To Improve Your Eye Health

According to a Gallup survey, seven out of ten Americans wear some type of corrective lenses. 40% of those people have considered laser eye surgery to correct their vision, but this surgery can permanently damage vision, as well as cause chronic dry eyes, and other complications. Instead of opting for a dangerous, irreversible surgery, what if you could use natural remedies to at least improve your eye health and eyesight, even slightly?

Many natural herbs and plants have been proven to increase eye health, and while you might not have 20/20 vision after using them, you may have better eyesight than before, and save yourself from costly bills and a dangerous surgery.

Here are 15 natural remedies that will improve your eye health:

1. Saffron

Saffron, used in many traditional Indian dishes, can also help save your eyesight and prevent UV radiation damage. It can also slow the progression of macular degeneration, which eventually leads to blindness. Two compounds found in saffron believed to improve eye health include safranal and crocin, members of the carotenoid family. Carotenoids include beta carotene, a type of Vitamin A that can improve eyesight and also protect against cancer.

2. Pycnogenol

The powerful antioxidant found in France can repair capillaries in the eyes, and therefore reduce leakage into the retina. Other studies have found that pycnogenol can also improve microcirculation, increase visual acuity, and prevent retinal edema.

3. Silymarin

You can find this compound in milk thistle, which can help maintain a healthy liver. The liver stores fat soluble vitamins, glutathione, and B vitamins, which all support healthy eyes.

4. Bilberries

Anthocyanides found in bilberries might improve eye health by protecting the retina, and including bilberries in your diet may also prevent macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.

5. Gingko biloba

The gingko plant and its extracts have been used to treat a variety of different ailments. They’ve shown promise in treating vision problems in people with diabetes, improving color vision when patients take the extract orally. Also, it might help improve existing damage to the visual field in people with glaucoma.

6. Bentonite clay

Bentonite clay can pull toxins from the body, reduce eye strain, and even help heal eye infections. In some cases, people have used it to treat cataracts.

7. Fennel

According to livestrong.com, fennel contains many nutrients that can improve eye health. These include Vitamin A and C, powerful antioxidants that can protect against macular degeneration and cataracts.

8. Cayenne

Cayenne, a potent anti-inflammatory, can increase blood flow to the eyes and relieve swelling around mucus membranes.

9. Jaborandi

Jaborandi, an herb found in the rainforest, has been used for many years to treat patients with glaucoma. It contains pilocarpine, an alkaloid compound which prompts the constriction of the pupils and decreased pressure in the eye.

10. Coleus

According to WebMD, forskolin, a chemical found in the roots of the Coleus plant, can be used in drop form to treat people with glaucoma. These drops also have the potential to decrease intraocular pressure and increase blood flow in the eyes.

11. Endive juice

Endive, which contains high levels of Vitamin A, can help restore poor eyesight in people with myopia, or nearsightedness. You can also combine it with carrot or parsley juice for even better results.

12. Raw garlic

Garlic contains high amounts of selenium, which can help to increase antioxidants in the body and improve eye health. Some people use it to heal macular degeneration, eating two or three cloves per day for the best results.

13. Carrot juice

Carrots have been associated with healthy eyes for quite some time now, as carrots contain a high amount of Vitamin A, a vital nutrient for good vision. You can either juice carrots to get the nutrients, cut them up and eat them as a snack, or whichever way you prefer to enjoy them.

14. Coriander

Coriander contains a high amount of antioxidants as well, making it a great natural remedy for maintaining eye health and preventing diseases of the eye.

15. Raw almonds

Almonds are loaded with Vitamin E, which can slow down macular degeneration, protect the eyes from free radicals, and delay cataract formation, according to research.

In addition to these natural remedies, make sure you take breaks from technology throughout the day, as staring at one object for hours at a time can strain your eyes and harm your vision. Also, make sure you eat a balanced diet full of healthy fruits and vegetables, and try to perform relaxation techniques, which will help reduce stress in and around the eyes.