April 8, 2021

Should You Take Vitamins for Eye Health?

The answer depends on your condition

eye health eat healthy vitamins

Eye issues can stem from a variety of different things and there’s no question that vitamin deficiencies can cause eye problems. You may ask yourself: Do I need vitamins or supplements as a result?

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

If your diet is missing the key vitamins or nutrients you need on a day-to-day basis — or you have a diagnosed deficiency that increases your disease risk — your doctor may recommend taking supplements.

“But for most people, they aren’t necessary for eye health,” says ophthalmologist Richard Gans, MD. “You can get the vitamins you need through your diet. And there is little evidence connecting vitamin supplements with improved eye health.”

There’s one exception for a specific eye condition: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). If you have AMD, talk to your ophthalmologist about whether supplements are appropriate.

Research has shown that people with AMD might benefit from taking specific vitamins. Another study determined that taking certain vitamins in high concentrations slows the progression of this condition in a large percentage of people. However, the study notes that taking these vitamins can only slow the disease. Unfortunately, no vitamins can prevent it from forming in the first place.

The National Eye Institute updated their guidelines recently for AMD in their study called the AREDS 2 (Age Related Eye Disease Study) with the following recommendations:

Advertisement
  • 500 milligrams vitamin C.
  • 400 IU vitamin E.
  • 2 milligrams copper.
  • 80 milligrams zinc.
  • 10 milligrams lutein.
  • 2 milligrams zeaxanthin.

Be sure to consult with your doctor first before taking any supplements.

Little evidence of other disease links

For other eye conditions, the evidence is limited.

“Many simply haven’t been evaluated as thoroughly as AMD with regard to diet and nutrition, so there’s no strong recommendation for taking vitamin supplements for them,” Dr. Gans says. “As for glaucoma, there is little evidence that vitamins have any impact on this condition.”

One study found that omega-3s from fish oil supplements didn’t have any beneficial results for dry eye and were no better than a placebo.

Get your vitamins through your food

In general, it’s best to eat a diet with a full complement of nutrition to ensure you aren’t vitamin-deficient. That’s true not only for your eye health, but also for your overall health.

Advertisement

For example, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, mustard greens and others offer many of the vitamins and nutrients that are good for eye health.

Likewise, if you want to boost your omega-3 intake, you can find it in fatty fish and many types of nuts and seeds. Sprinkle nuts and seeds onto your salads or eat them as snacks to get a quick boost of nutrients.

Carrots are also high in vitamin A, which is important in retina metabolism. To reap the benefits, get your daily dose of vitamin A by munching on carrots during your busy day.

“But beyond vitamin A, carrots don’t hold any magical properties for eye health,” says Dr. Gans. “That may come as a surprise if you were told growing up that rabbits never wear glasses.”​

Related Articles

solar eclipse
March 7, 2024
The Total Solar Eclipse Is Coming — Here’s How To View It Safely

It’s critical to have the proper eyewear if you plan to look up at the sun, especially during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024

woman sleeping with eye open
February 6, 2024
Why Do Some People Sleep With Their Eyes Open?

Nocturnal lagophthalmos may be caused by damaged nerves or muscles in your face

Assorted foods and oils containting vitamin E
January 9, 2024
Top 5 Benefits of Vitamin E

Easy to get from healthy foods, vitamin E can help protect your eyes, boost your immune system and may lower your risk of cancer

Oranges in bowl and tofu meal in bowl
December 7, 2023
Should You Take Iron With Vitamin C?

This pairing has long been thought to help your body better absorb iron

foods with fat soluble vitamins
May 16, 2023
Fat-Soluble Vitamins: What They Are and How To Get the Most Out of Them

Vitamins A, D, E and K stay in your body longer and are best eaten with a bit of healthy fat

foods with water soluble vitamins
May 15, 2023
What You Should Know About Water-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins pass quickly through your body, so eat them often

corn husk silk
April 16, 2023
Can You Eat Corn Silk? 4 Health Benefits of Corn Silk

These silky strands can reduce cholesterol and inflammation, and more

Closeup of vitamin C rich red peppers in a silver bowl.
April 9, 2023
17 Foods That Are High in Vitamin C

Move over, oranges! You can also get vitamin C from strawberries, kiwi and green veggies

Trending Topics

White bowls full of pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate and various kinds of nuts
25 Magnesium-Rich Foods You Should Be Eating

A healthy diet can easily meet your body’s important demands for magnesium

Woman feeling for heart rate in neck on run outside, smartwatch and earbuds
Heart Rate Zones Explained

A super high heart rate means you’re burning more than fat

Spoonful of farro salad with tomato
What To Eat If You’ve Been Diagnosed With Prediabetes

Type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable with these dietary changes

Ad