Vitamins on Eye Health

Abstract

Vitamins are essential for a healthy body. The role of vitamins in metabolism has long been known, however some specific vitamins have a particularly significant role in the maintenance of eye health. It has become obvious that people suffering some eye conditions have significantly low levels of vitamins A, B1 or B2, compared to those without eye conditions. Some of these eye conditions, such as cataracts, can cause blindness.

Keywords: Eye Tonic, vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, thiamine, riboflavin, eye health, cataracts

Vitamin deficiencies within the diet are known to contribute to a range of eye and other health problems. Evidence suggests that actively seeking vitamins in food and supplementation can help reduce the occurrence of harmful eye conditions.

Vitamins are small organic molecules that are essential for metabolism in humans. Obviously, vitamins are important for overall health, and it is easy to become vitamin deficient. This can occur if you cannot get enough from your food, have underlying genetic problems with your metabolism, or from lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, smoking or taking medication. Most importantly for eye health, receiving sub-optimal vitamin A, B1 and B2 can lead to eye symptoms and further eye conditions causing blindness.

Vitamin A deficiency is common, especially amongst people living in developing nations with poor nutrition. Vitamin A deficiency is a serious global problem, with particular concern for young children and pregnant women. Children are particularly susceptible to vitamin A deficiency which can cause many serious health complications including childhood blindness, various infections, and child mortality. More generally, vitamin A deficiency can result in double vision, night blindness, and conjunctivitis. Vitamin A intake, is required by the eye to form rhodopsin, a light sensing pigment. Without rhodopsin, night vision is lost.

The importance of vitamin A for eye health is evident. In people with the genetic eye condition retinal pigmentosa, vitamin A has been shown to help slow disease progression.  In the prevention of night blindness, vitamin A also has a key role in maintaining eye lubrication and preventing inflammation, which can be compromised if deficient in vitamin A and increasingly stressed by environmental pressures such as extended computer use. Taking supplemental vitamin A has been proven to help reduce the occurrence of dry eyes. 

Cataracts are the most common cause of blindness, and many people are unable to access quality surgeons to help treat the condition. Vitamin A supplementation can reduce the prevalence of cataracts,  which usually have the potential to cause substantial and irreversible loss of vision. The health benefits of vitamin A are significant, particularly for maintaining healthy eyes.

Once grouped together, B vitamins have proven to be biologically unique. Vitamins B1 (thiamine) and B2 (riboflavin) are important for eye health. Vitamin B1 deficiency may result in beriberi disorder, which can become fatal. Commonly seen in alcoholics, a vitamin B1 deficiency can lead to symptoms including substantial visual disturbances and confusion. People suffering glaucoma have also been found to have low blood levels of vitamin B1. Therefore, it remains necessary to get adequate vitamin B1 through diet or supplementation.

The importance of incorporating vitamin B2 into daily nutrition by diet or supplement is evident in the symptoms of vitamin B2 deficiency, which includes eye inflammation. In developing nations, when children are exposed to diarrhoea causing infections, clinical signs of vitamin B2 deficiency become obvious. Vitamin B2 is important to the surface structures of the eye, preventing conjunctivitis and damage to the cornea.  Sometimes, a lack of vitamin B2 produces red bloodshot eyes along with a burning sensation. The beneficial effects of vitamin B2 in reducing the risk of developing cataracts is more recently supported by scientific evidence,   while also found to play a central role in maintaining your body’s natural 24-hr clock.

There is no doubt that common vitamin deficiencies result in visual disturbances. According to the World Health Organisation, up to 75% of eye conditions causing blindness can be avoided. Maintaining optimal levels of vitamins A, B1 and B2, have the potential to reduce the occurrence of eye conditions which cause blindness, especially in those who are unable to obtain adequate nutrition.

Of the highest quality and necessary for proper eye function, these ingredients are present in PM EyeTonic. Retinyl palmitate, the precursor of vitamin A, is supplied by Roche AG (Europe), Vitamin B1 is included in the form of thiamin hydrochloride supplied by Roche Vitamins GmbH (Europe), and. Vitamin B or riboflavin, is supplied by DSM Nutritional Products GmbH (Europe). Together with the other active ingredients bilberry and omega-3 fish oils, PM EyeTonic is ideal for the health and maintenance of your eyes.

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