Vitamin C And Kids’ Eye Health

The first thoughts for most when vitamin C comes up in conversation are oranges and colds, but there are more benefits vitamin C offers for children's eye health.

Vitamin C, (ascorbic acid), is an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables. This powerful micronutrient is used for skin care, reducing cholesterol levels, and yes, strengthening the immune system. But what good does it do kids' eyes? When taken with other nutrients, vitamin C can help protect kids' vision from long-term age-related eye health issues. Many orange-colored fruits and vegetables are a good source of vitamin C (especially sweet potatoes), which helps the body form and maintain connective eye tissue, but most kids in the U.S. follow a Western diet. This means they're not getting enough fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C to help protect their vision as they grow.

Regardless of age, almost all cells of the body depend on vitamin C, the eye especially. There are concentrations of this vitamin throughout the tissue of the eye, but our bodies don't replenish the amounts of vitamin C we're born with. This means we need to get this nutrient through our diet and by taking vitamins.

Below is a list of foods that have high amounts of vitamin C!

Kids’ Eye Health

In addition, vitamin C is required to make collagen, a protein that provides structure to your eye, particularly in the cornea and sclera.

Several observational studies suggest that vitamin C may help lower your risk of developing cataracts, a condition that causes your eye to become cloudy and impairs vision.

For example, one observational study showed a 75% reduced risk of developing cataracts when the daily vitamin C intake was above 490 mg, compared to 125 mg or less.

Another study found that regular vitamin C supplements may reduce the risk of cataracts by 45% .

Sources:

  1. Vitamin C And Kids' Eye Health
  2. Top 10 Foods Highest in Vitamin C by Daisy Whitbread, November 22nd, 2019
  3. The 9 Most Important Vitamins for Eye Health

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At Golden Eye Optometry, we view good vision care as front line protection at every age. A routine eye exam can detect more than poor vision. It can shed early light on glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetes.

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