Eyes

Nutrients connected to Eyes

A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.

• Vitamin AEstablished role

  Vitamin A is needed for sight in dim light and a healthy cornea. Deficiency causes night blindness and corneal damage.

• Omega-3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA and DHA)Established role

  DHA is found in high concentrations in the retina. Large trials of added omega-3 did not help age-related macular degeneration or dry eye.

• Carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopeneClinically supported

  Lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids found in the macula. Lutein 10 mg plus zeaxanthin 2 mg is part of the AREDS2 formula, which slows progression from intermediate to advanced macular degeneration in people who already have it. Supplements have not been shown to prevent the disease.

• Calotropis (arka)Documented risk

  The milky latex injured the cornea in hospital series and a case report; most eyes recovered but cell loss could persist.

• Butternut SquashEstablished role

  Vitamin A supports eyesight; butternut squash supplies provitamin A carotenoids.

• Vitamin B2Established role

  The NHS says riboflavin helps keep the eyes healthy.

• TaurineLab or animal research only

  Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in the retina and other eye tissues of the rat, and is described as critical for photoreceptor development. Evidence is mostly from animals.

• BilberryPreliminary or mixed

  One trial improved a focusing-muscle measure in screen users. Rigorous reviews do not support better night vision in healthy people.

• Maqui berryPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials found better tear production and dry eye symptoms. Certainty ranged from moderate to very low.

• EyebrightDocumented risk

  Eyebright is traditionally used for eye complaints, but there is no good evidence it works, and the EU herbal committee said homemade eye washes are not hygienic and not safe. Only sterile, manufactured eye products belong in the eye.

• Cinchona barkDocumented risk

  Quinine can have direct toxic effects on the retina; vision problems occur in cinchonism.

• Cayenne and chili pepperDocumented risk

  Capsaicin products must not be applied near the eyes, and hot chili oil irritates the eyes.

• MayappleDocumented risk

  Eye contact can erode the cornea (IPCS).

• AvocadoPreliminary or mixed

  In a 6-month trial in 40 older adults, daily avocado raised macular pigment density; this is a marker, not proof of eye-disease prevention.

• Belladonna (deadly nightshade)Documented risk

  Widened pupils and visual disturbances occurred; narrow-angle glaucoma is a listed contraindication for leaf products.

• Aleppo pepperDocumented risk

  Chili oil irritates the eyes; keep hands away from the face after handling hot chilies.

• PumpkinEstablished role

  Vitamin A, which the body can make from the carotenoids in pumpkin, is needed for vision; deficiency causes night blindness. No trial of pumpkin and eye disease was found.

• Nopales (Prickly Pear Pads)Documented risk

  Glochids can lodge in the eye and injure the surface; they caused eye irritation in most patients in a clinic series.

• Borax (Sodium Borate)Documented risk

  Borax can be corrosive to the eye per NPIC.

• MultivitaminsClinically supported

  Cochrane found moderate-certainty evidence that specific antioxidant vitamin and mineral formulas slow progression of existing macular degeneration. This does not show protection in healthy eyes or from an ordinary multivitamin.

• Vitamin EEstablished role

  The NHS says vitamin E helps maintain healthy eyes, and severe deficiency can narrow the visual field or cause blindness. Supplements do not show added benefit in well-nourished people.

• ZincDeficiency link

  Trouble seeing in the dark is listed as a sign of zinc deficiency.

• Cod liver oilEstablished role

  The vitamin A in cod liver oil is needed for vision in dim light. Omega-3 supplements did not beat placebo for dry eye in the large NIH-sponsored DREAM trial.

• Witch hazelDocumented risk

  Eye drops are accepted for traditional relief of dry or sun-and-wind-tired eyes, but conjunctivitis has been reported.

• EucalyptusDocumented risk

  Poison Control says the oil should not get in the eyes because it can cause pain, redness and possible corneal injury.

• Pleurisy rootDocumented risk

  A 2026 case report links handling Asclepias tuberosa with contact lenses to clouded corneas and sudden vision loss.

• King tuber mushroomLab or animal research only

  Lowered induced eye pressure in cats; no effect in normal monkeys.

• Bitter kolaPreliminary or mixed

  A 2010 trial of 0.5% bitter kola eye drops found eye pressure fell about as much as with timolol drops. This was a special eye-drop preparation, not the chewed seed, and it was a single trial.

• ApricotsEstablished role

  Vitamin A is needed for vision and apricots contain it as carotenoids (USDA); no apricot trial on eye outcomes was read.

• Lily of the valleyDocumented risk

  Blurred vision and halos around lights are listed; mainly with repeated overdose.

• Leafy Greens (overview)Preliminary or mixed

  A review found lutein intake inversely associated with age-related macular degeneration; observational, and lutein comes from many foods.

• Cassia seed (jue ming zi)Preliminary or mixed

  One 6-month study of cassia seed tea reported better tear volume, eye pressure and near vision. It is a single study.

• Zucchini (Courgette)Preliminary or mixed

  Zucchini contains lutein and zeaxanthin; supplement trials in macular degeneration are mixed, and zucchini itself has not been tested.

• Sweet CornPreliminary or mixed

  Lutein and zeaxanthin in corn are linked to lower late macular degeneration risk in observational studies; supplement trials were mixed and none tested eating corn.

• Patchouli OilDocumented risk

  EFSA: irritant to eyes.

• DunaliellaPreliminary or mixed

  One small crossover trial of 9-cis-rich Dunaliella powder in retinitis pigmentosa saw a small rise in a retina test but no change in visual field or acuity.

• Diatomaceous EarthDocumented risk

  Abrasive; can irritate the eyes.

• Manuka HoneyPreliminary or mixed

  A meta-analysis of 5 dry-eye trials reported benefits on eye preparations, with reliability limits.

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