Keeping your eyes as healthy as possible at your age is a vital part of aging gracefully. Afterall, if your sight starts to diminish, so can your quality of life. At JCPenney Optical, we do everything we can to keep your eyes healthy.
From complete exams by certified opticians to offering thousands of eye glasses, frames, and lenses that fit every budget and style. We have everything you need to look good and keep your eyes healthy.
Aside from regular check-ups at JCPenney Optical, here are some more ways to keep your eyes healthy…
Best Superfoods for Eyes Health:
Here is a list we put together of the top foods that improve your eye health…as well as your general health too!
Carrots –
It might sound cliché, but these little guys pack a powerhouse of vitamins in a bite-size crunch. Carrots are chock full of vitamin A which, along with vitamins C (have some OJ to wash your carrots down!) and E – helps to reduce the impact of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Two things that are found to be more common as you age.
Wild Salmon –
Delicious, heart-healthy salmon is rich in B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which can help protect eyes. Salmon is particularly rich in the B-vitamin niacin; several scientific studies have shown that people who eat a diet containing plenty of foods rich in riboflavin and niacin can slash the risk of cataracts by about half. Salmon’s healthy fats may also help stave off macular degeneration by protecting light receptor cells in the eye from damage by sunlight and free radicals. One study found that people who ate just one weekly serving of fish, generally a good source of omega-3 fats, cut their risk of macular degeneration by over 30 percent.
Sunflower seeds –
Along with vitamin C, lutein, and beta-carotene, vitamin E is a member of a group of antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals. One study revealed that women who ate a very healthy diet full of all kinds of antioxidants from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains were half as likely to develop cataracts as women who did not eat such a healthy diet. In addition, numerous studies have observed that people with high dietary intakes or blood levels of antioxidants — particularly vitamins C and E — are at a significantly lower risk for cataracts. A diet full of foods rich in vitamin E, like sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, and butters made from these nuts and seeds can protect your vision (and benefit the rest of your body, as well!)
Shellfish –
Shellfish like clams, crab, mussels, oysters and lobster are all rich in the mineral zinc. Zinc is very important for the health of all your body tissue, but it’s found in unusually high concentrations in the tissue of the retina and is required for the functioning of enzymes that keep vision sharp and healthy. In people with macular degeneration, levels of zinc in the retina can be very low, so eating zinc-rich foods is a great first step towards preventing and treating macular degeneration. In addition to shellfish, good sources of this eye-friendly nutrient include lean beef, pork tenderloin, peanut butter, skinless poultry, and pumpkin seeds.
Kale and Spinach –
The pair of antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin are standouts in a family of nutrients called carotenoids because they’re the only carotenoids found in the lens of the eye. Since our bodies can’t make lutein and zeaxanthin on their own, we have to get these nutrients from food. Studies have shown that eating foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, like kale and other leafy greens, can increase the pigment density in the macula, leading to better retina protection, and possibly a lower risk of macular degeneration.
Another way to ensure your eyes are healthy? Schedule an eye exam at JCPenney Optical today. Even if you think your prescription hasn’t changed in years, a comprehensive eye exam can help with early detection of other important health issues. At JCPenney Optical, we know maintaining healthy eyes is the only way to ensure your sight will remain perfect for a lifetime.
During one of our eye exams, tests will be performed to check for color blindness, eye alignment, eye movement, and of course, depth perception. A certified Optometrist will also perform a very wide range of tests to determine the health of your eyes and potential visual needs. Pupil dilation, glaucoma testing, and visual field tests may be performed if you choose. Scheduling an eye exam today, will give you the peace of mind you need for the future.
What makes JCPenney Optical special is that they offer all kinds of lenses that will also help keep your eyes healthy. We offer lens options for your prescription that decrease computer glare, increase night vision and even help block out all the harmful UV and UVB rays.
Taking care of your eyes may be one of the most important things you do. But that doesn’t mean it has to be one of the hardest. Common sense, a balanced diet and regular visits to a JCPenney Optical near you will keep your eyes, and your vision, in great shape for the future.