QUESTION: Which vitamin is best for eyesight?
ANS:
- Vitamin A is often considered the best vitamin for eyesight.
- It plays a crucial role in maintaining good vision and supporting overall eye health.
- It helps with night vision
- Prevents dry eyes
- Reduces the risk macular degeneration and cataracts
- Good food sources of vitamin A include
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Spinach
- Kale
- Liver
Role of Vitamin A in Vision |
Deficiency Results |
Maintenance of Cornea and Conjunctiva
|
· Vitamin A helps maintain the health and integrity of the cornea and conjunctiva
· Deficiency can cause dryness
· Corneal ulcers
· Increased susceptibility to infections |
Retinal Formation |
· Vitamin A is essential for the formation of retinal a component of rhodopsin, a protein involved in vision
· Deficiency can lead to night blindness
· An inability to see in low-light conditions |
Protection against Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) |
· Adequate vitamin A intake, along with other antioxidants, may help protect against AMD, a condition that causes progressive loss of central vision in older adults. |
Photo transduction |
· Vitamin A plays a role in the process of photo transduction, the conversion of light into electrical signals in the retina.
· Deficiency can impair this process, leading to visual disturbances. |
Regulation of Gene Expression |
· It regulates the expression of genes involved in eye development and differentiation.
· Deficiency can lead to abnormal development of the eyes, potentially resulting in congenital malformations. |