Are Carrots Good for Eye Pressure?

If you are suffering from one of the contributing diseases that lead to glaucoma, or have been diagnosed with glaucoma, it's vital to keep your eyes as healthy as possible. While a doctor can prescribe medications to support eye health, there are things you can do in your daily life choices to control high eye pressure. Eating carrots and other vegetables with high levels of carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C can help.

Significance

• No matter what health issues are facing you, a correct diet can help get your body in the best condition that can be achieved prior to factoring in additional medical aids. Proper nutrition can help control blood pressure and also eye pressure, particularly for those at risk for glaucoma or already diagnosed with the disease.

Benefits

• Carrots are high in beta carotene and vitamin C, both of which have been associated with lowered eye pressure. Carrots in the diet are emerging as part of the basic lifestyle choices that seem to help control glaucoma. In a study by the Department of Ophthalmology and Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, eating carrots at least twice a week was linked with a 64 percent decrease in the likelihood of developing glaucoma, compared to those who ate carrots only one time per week.

Options

• Besides carrots, other deep orange and yellow vegetables and fruits also contain substantial amounts of beta carotene and vitamin C--helpful in preserving and protecting vision. Deep leafy greens such as spinach, a particularly favored green in this instance, also contain beta carotenes, but are seldom seen due to the masking effect of the intense green and blue pigments of the leaves. Kale, broccoli and other dark green vegetables can also contribute substantially to overall eye care.

Expert Insight

• Be sure to consult your doctor, however, if you are planning on using carrots and other vegetables to specifically prevent or treat eye conditions. While it's always healthy to enjoy and eat fresh produce, including carrots and leafy greens, there are studies, including one from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, published in 2003 in the American Journal of Epidemiology, that indicate that the connection between intake of vitamins and carotinoids and the prevention of glaucoma is less than previous studies show. Your doctor is in a better position to assess current studies and expectations in medicine, and may be able to provide stronger preventive and therapeutic lifestyle choices.

Warning

• There are few counter-indications in regards to a varied and healthy diet including large amounts of carrots. Under normal circumstances, carrots are unlikely to do anything but increase overall health and well-being when eaten with ordinary meals. However, there is one instance when ingesting high levels of beta carotenes is counter indicated--when the patient is a smoker. While beta carotene is a possible preventive in regards to glaucoma and macular degeneration, it is also associated with a raised risk of lung cancer in smokers. Consult your doctor before attempting to raise your beta carotene ingestion in that instance.