We often take our eyes for granted working long hours in front of the computer, leaving them unprotected in the sun and avoiding that long overdue visit to the opticians.  Our eyes are intricately designed to give us keen vision in varying degrees of light and at close and long distance ranges.  Located at the front of the face they are susceptible to trauma, foreign objects and particles and infection.  Overuse can strain the eye muscles and in extreme cases damage the quality of sight.

So how can we protect and support our eyes and ensure long lasting good health?  Good nutrition is a must.  A good varied well-balanced diet can provide all the nutrients required to ensure our eyes develop appropriately, repair quickly after wear and tear and protect these vulnerable organs against infection.  Most eye conditions could be prevented by eating foods that have a high level of the antioxidants A, C and E.  Foods such as kiwis, dried apricots, oranges and green leafy vegetables are rich in these vitamins.  Also include seeds, nuts and dairy products. 

Taking a good quality anti-oxidant that includes beta-carotene, zinc, selenium and manganese can be beneficial.  They will also help the body to absorb lutein and vitamin Bs which have also been found to be effective at preventing eye malfunction.

Sun and UV rays are also damaging to the eye and accelerates the development of cataracts.  You should buy a good quality pair of sunglasses and wear them often even in Winter months if the sun is out.
Cut out smoking and alcohol as these also speed up the generation process and get plenty of rest.  Regular exercise improves the circulation of blood to the eye which in turn optimizes their performance.

Finally drink plenty of water and make sure you get your eyes checked out every two years by a qualified optician.