Retinal Detachment is when your retina is pulled away from the back of your eye which can result in permanent vision loss. In our previous article, we describe more on what retinal detachment is and how long before this can occur.
In that article, you will find some preventative measures you can take for retinal detachment such as getting regular eye exams, wearing eye goggles, keeping your diabetes/blood pressure in control and looking out for signs of floaters or flashes, amongst other things. However, asking how to prevent retinal detachment naturally brings a whole other set of guidelines to follow. Although retinal detachment is largely due to age, you are also at higher risk if you suffer from an underlying medical condition, past family history with AMD, or past eye trauma. We want to focus on what we can control and at the Annan Retina Eye Center, we believe that diet strongly influences your overall health and your retinal health is strongly influenced by how you manage that.
How to prevent retinal detachment naturally:
Vitamin A:
This vitamin is particularly good for night vision and can be found in spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, and egg yolk.
Vitamin C:
This vitamin is known to prevent cataracts and can be found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, melons, and leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin E:
This is an antioxidant that also makes vitamin c more efficient. Vitamin E can be found in sunflower seeds, almonds, and avocados.
Vitamin B:
B6, B9, B12, and B2 are some of the prominent vitamins to source for eye health as they can lower inflammation and have been found to reduce the risk of retinal detachment. Riboflavin specifically has the potential to reduce oxidative stress in the body and can be found in oats, milk, yogurt, and beef.
Zeaxanthin:
Consuming orange bell peppers, cooked spinach, kale, collard greens, goji berries, corn, and green leafy vegetables can help in the prevention of retinal detachment.
Lutein:
This nutrient is linked with the prevention of retinal detachment and can be found in green leafy vegetables, pumpkin, yellow corn, and broccoli
Fatty Acids:
Fatty acids can be found in oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, and halibut or flax seeds and walnuts.
Water:
Amongst many other benefits, when you are properly hydrated you are able to produce your tear glands, and promote healthy blood flow.
Exercise:
When exercise contributes to your overall health, it cannot be ignored. Diabetes plays a big role in retinal health and if not monitored can result in diabetic retinopathy. Promote your blood circulation and lower your blood glucose with physical activity.
We often look for a quick fix when it comes to our health, but preventing something naturally can take a little more attention, time, and planning. Don’t be discouraged when looking at this guideline, we aim to inspire you to take control of your overall health, not overwhelm you. Our diet can help us, and it can harm us, so consuming carbonated sugary drinks, and junk food can deteriorate retina health as well. When finding out how to prevent retinal detachment naturally, our advice is to focus on consuming what is natural, whole-real - foods, and what is not.
Taking control of your health and looking at preventative measures is your first step in the right direction. How we take care of our bodies, is how our bodies take care of us. Especially when it comes to your retina, it’s significant to take preventative measures seriously, as the first sign is often the first symptom of permanent vision loss.
If you are noticing any changes in vision, you can schedule your next visit with Dr El Annan at the Annan Retina Eye Center. Please call 346-222-6626 to speak to a member of staff who will be more than happy to help you.
