Feast your eyes on this...

As the latest research confirms that diet and nutrition play a critical role in healthy vision, Catherine Forrest lets us in on the ingredients to help keep your sight right

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Eye issues are on the up. The number of shortsighted children in the UK has doubled in the past 50 years, and researchers estimate that every hour a day that children look at a digital screen increases the risk of developing myopia by a staggering 21%.

Earlier this year, researchers at Aston University in Birmingham found that 90% of young adults have at least one sign of dry eye disease - another eye challenge associated with screen use. And it's estimated that 700,000 people over the age of 50 have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the biggest cause of UK sight loss.

Given the extent of eye issues, it's perhaps not surprising the latest real-world research for MacuShield, who produce a range of specialist eye supplements, reveals that 35% of UK adults now report having eye problems - a rise of 13% since 2024.

Optometrist Francesca Marchetti says: "We know that nutrition and adequate intakes of specific nutrients - such as omega-3 fatty acids, riboflavin (vitamin B2), lutein and zeaxanthin - are really important for eye health and may to help to head off many issues.

"The new research shows that three in four adults realise that diet can influence eye health, but it reveals some worrying blind spots around what an eye-healthy diet looks like. This awareness needs to be translated into evidence-based action."

NUTRIENTS

Public health nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire agrees: "The fact that more than a quarter of adults who took part in the MacuShield research thought that all they needed to do is eat carrots shows how poorly many people understand the impact of diet on eye health.

"The bottom line is that we should all be placing more emphasis on the foods we eat and the nutrients these provide to reinforce our eye health."

HERE'S HOW THE LATEST SCIENCE STACKS UP

Mac support