11/19/2025
🧡 Feed your eyes well. 🧡
If we care about healthy vision, we need to think about more than just eye exams—our diet matters too. The condition Age‑Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among older adults in Canada, affecting around 2.5 million people.
Fortunately, research shows that a wholesome, nutrient-rich diet can help support eye health and may reduce the risk or slow progression of AMD. One of the most promising eating patterns? The Mediterranean diet.
🥗 What is the Mediterranean diet?
It emphasises:
Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits & legumes
Whole grains instead of refined starches
Healthy fats like extra-virgin olive oil
Regular fish (especially oily fish rich in omega-3s)
Moderate consumption of nuts & seeds
Minimal processed foods, red/processed meat and saturated fats
Optional moderate wine with meals (always check with your health professional)
👁 Why it’s great for your eyes
Higher adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet is associated with lower risk of developing AMD, and with slower progression if AMD is already present.
For example: one meta-analysis found that people closely following the diet had a significantly lower odds of late-stage AMD.
The diet is rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein & zeaxanthin, and other nutrients that help protect the retina, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
✅ What you can do
Fill half your plate with colourful veggies & fruits.
Choose whole-grain bread, pasta or rice instead of white.
Use olive oil instead of butter or margarine.
Have fish (like salmon, sardines, mackerel) 1-2 times per week.
Snack on nuts, seeds or legumes instead of chips or processed snacks.
Cut back on processed meats and highly sugary or fried foods.
Don’t forget to get regular eye exams: diet is a powerful partner—but not a replacement for professional care.
👓 At Cwood Eyecare and Collingwood Optometry, we’re here to support your whole eye-health journey—diet included. Let’s keep your vision strong for everything you love doing.