Light enters the human eye through the cornea, a clear curved protective layer that sits in front of the iris and pupil. It then travels through the black pupil and the iris. The circular iris surrounds the pupil with an aim of controlling the amount of light entering and depending on the intensity, the aperture is dilated in a way similar to the camera. Shortly, the lens focuses the light onto the retina where images that we see are formed.

In defective eyes, one or more of these activities may fail to occur unless aided. Poor eyes may at worst cause blurred vision especially in old age, but why suffer with eyesight problems where there are nutritional remedies?

Eat foods rich in beta-carotene

Joseph Uwiragiye, a nutritionist at University teaching hospital explains that most people struggle with poor eyesight because of regular poor food selection.

"Essentially, vitamin A is the most important nutrient for the eyes. It is available in most vegetables especially in the green leafy although carrots are among the best sources. But how many people eat this on a daily basis?” he asks

The nutritionist further points out that besides maintaining the mucous lining of the eye moist and in good shape, vitamin A participates in most photochemical reactions that result into vision.

He suggests that certain animal sources, which are good sources, should regularly be part of non-vegetarian diets.

However a combination of foods containing various nutrients could even provide better results that would reduce the figures of eye victims.

Estimates from the World health Organization indicate that 285 million people have visual impairment and various efforts are needed to improve the burden of impaired vision globally.

Look out for balanced diets

Several studies have revealed that when people at high risk of eye diseases due to aging took multiple vitamins daily that included vitamin A (as beta carotene), vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and copper had a 25 percent reduced risk of advanced Age related macular degeneration during a six-year period.

Another study from Florida International University found that eyes containing higher amounts of a nutrient called lutein were up to 80 per cent less likely to be suffering from this disease.

Another four-year study from the Harvad medical School also concluded that a combination of vitamin A and lutein might prolong vision in people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a group of genetic disorders that affect the retina’s ability to respond to light.

These could be found in most foods and Kibagabaga hospital nutritionist Isaac Bikorimana emphasizes that on top of washing eyes with good quality water foods, a balanced diet ensures that eyes get all the necessary nutrients.

" The diet should be rich in foods that provide all the necessary nutrients; proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins.

This keeps eyes in good shape but also the quality of water used to clean the eyes should be good,” he explains.

Much as most people tend to think that the nutrients necessary for eyes are found in fruits and vegetables, US Mayo clinic points out that there are several nutrients with antioxidant properties necessary for the eyes in both vegetables and animal products.

Vegetables such as Kale, peppers, broccoli, sweet potato, spinach, peas, pumpkin and carrots are some of the rich sources while fruits such as peaches, blueberries, oranges, tangerines, mango, tomato, apricot, papaya, cantaloupe, honeydew, avocado and grapefruit are good sources of nutrients for proper eye health.

Other food high in Omega-3-rich foods include salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, sardines, walnuts, canola oil, roasted soybeans and fish are good sources, according to Mayo clinic.

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Canadian researchers found that infant girls whose mothers received supplements from their fourth month of pregnancy until delivery were less likely to have below-average visual perception at 2 months of age than infant girls whose mothers did not receive the omega-3 supplements.

Much as eye problems aggravate with age, several experts point out that eye problems can be avoided with proper eye care and good nutrition.