ALMOST two-thirds of people could be risking their eyesight because of a poor diet, specialists warned today.
A survey for The College of Optometrists, which is the professional body for eye doctors in the UK, found that 65% of people had no idea their food choices could affect their vision.
More than four out of 10 people did not eat enough leafy green vegetables, while 52% did not consume enough oily fish such as mackerel and salmon.
Studies have shown that a balanced diet, rich in vitamins A, C and E, lutein and essential fatty acids may help protect against eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the UK.
Leafy greens such as kale, broccoli and spinach are full of lutein, which is thought to prevent damage to the macula of the eye, which is the part needed for tasks like reading and driving.
Oily fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which are thought to help decrease the risk of developing AMD and may slow down its progression.
Other good foods for sight are carrots, which are high in vitamin A, and eggs.
Dr Rob Hogan, president of The College of Optometrists, said: “It’s surprising that so many people don’t realise that what we eat may affect the health of our eyes.
“Most of us are aware of the link between a poor diet and conditions such as heart disease, but we often take our eye health for granted.
“AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the western world, affecting an estimated 500,000 people in the UK and that number will rise as the population ages.”