Vitamin D is vital for healthy eyes

May 23, 2011 - PRLog -- Vitamin D could hold the key to preventing the onset of a dangerous eye disease most common in women, according to new US research.
More than 230,000 over 50s in the UK suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but reports show that increasing vitamin D levels can banish the effects of the disease, which include partial blindness.
The research, carried out by scientists at Buffalo University in New York, revealed that women with high levels of the vitamin were 59% less likely to develop AMD.
So where do we most commonly find Vitamin D, and how can we best incorporate it into a healthy diet and lifestyle?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in very few foods – but it is present in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, catfish, tuna and sardines, as well as fish liver oil supplements, fortified cereals and margarine.
Although the study did not apply to vitamin D absorbed through sunlight, it’s still an important source of the vitamin. However, it’s vital to remember to protect yourself properly with creams and sunglasses when stepping out on a sunny day, and it’s essential for glasses wearers to pack their prescription sunglasses for summer days out and holidays.
AMD sufferers are only partially blind, but the condition cannot be improved by wearing conventional prescription glasses and contact lenses.
The study estimates that more than 239,000 people in the UK will suffer from AMD by the end of this year alone.
To browse the range of prescription glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses, visit www.glasses4eyes.co.uk