Diet and Eye Health: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
Supplements are marketed far beyond the evidence, which is largely limited to one specific formulation in one specific condition.
Key takeaways
- Strongest evidence: AREDS-type supplements in specific stages of macular degeneration
- Not shown to prevent: macular degeneration in people who do not have it
- Most useful single change: Eat leafy greens, coloured vegetables and oily fish regularly.
- Commonest mistake: Eye supplements taken without a specific indication.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
What it is
The dietary factors with reasonable evidence for supporting vision and eye disease risk. It sits within Eye Health. The figures below are the ones published guidance uses, rather than the ones that circulate.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Strongest evidence | AREDS-type supplements in specific stages of macular degeneration |
| Not shown to prevent | macular degeneration in people who do not have it |
| Dietary pattern with support | leafy greens, oily fish, coloured vegetables |
| Largest modifiable risk factor | smoking |
What helps
Here is what the evidence supports doing. Some of it will already be familiar.
- Eat leafy greens, coloured vegetables and oily fish regularly
- Stop smoking, which matters more than any supplement
- Ask an ophthalmologist whether a specific supplement applies to you
- Keep blood pressure and glucose controlled
What to avoid
The usual wrong turns. Some are more tempting than others.
- Eye supplements taken without a specific indication
- Beta-carotene supplements if you smoke, which raise lung cancer risk
- Assuming supplements substitute for eye tests
Where to go next
- What People Get Wrong About Diet and Eye Health
- The First Steps With Diet and Eye Health
- Diet and Eye Health — the reference entry
- The Evidence on Eye Tests, Without the Hype
- Glaucoma: What Published Guidance Supports
When to speak to a doctor
See an optometrist or GP for any change in vision rather than relying on diet or supplements. Seek same-day assessment for sudden vision loss, distortion of straight lines, flashes, floaters or a painful red eye. Ask an ophthalmologist before starting any eye supplement.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
