Every year 3,700,000 visits are made to doctors' offices just for cataracts, not to even mention other serious eye diseases.

Good nutrition is a must for good health but even a general multivitamin may not be enough to maintain eye health.

For healthy eyes the intake of these nutrients are necessary.

Lutein and zeaxanthin: These are two carotenoids that the human body does not produce so they must be obtained through food or supplements. They are especially important in the prevention of macular degeneration and cataracts. The body can convert lutein into zeaxanthin.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness. It also prevents eye dryness which can lead to a disease called xerophthalmia. This also leads to cloudiness of the eye and corneal ulcers and swollen eyelids. Vitamin A deficiency is the main cause of blindess in young children and people of all ages in developing countries.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E helps to maintain healthy blood vessels.

Zinc: Zinc helps release vitamin A from the liver so that it can be used by the eyes and elsewhere.

Fish Oil: Fish and fish oils provide vitamins A and D which produce protective pigments in the eye. Fish oils provide omega-3 fatty acids which keep blood vessels open by reducing clots.

Magnesium: Magnesium aids blood flow to the eye.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C and bioflavonoids help to prevent broken blood vessels and aid in new blood vessel growth in the eye.

Bilberry: Bilberry is an herb which contains anthocyanosides which help strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation which is helpful in treating diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Bilberry helps improve night vision by strengthening the retina. In fact, it is so good for improving night vision that during World War II British fighter pilots ate bilberries before going on nighttime bombing raids.

Apple Pectin: Floaters are bits of dead cells floating within the eye. Some people have reported seeing less of them when they add apple pectin to their diets.

Selenium: Selenium is good especially for diabetics and helps to prevent the eye complications of retinopathy and cataracts.