We are bombarded with advertisements for products that help with brain health, bone health, muscle health, immune health, heart health, kidney health, skin health and genital health, but when was the last time you saw any advertisement for eye health?

Of our 5 main senses, most people say their vision is the most important and yet, do little to support good eye health.

In today’s computer age, many people spend their days in front of a computer screen, on their phones and tablets. That blue light emitted by from these electronic devices can damage the eyes, cause eyestrain and even interrupt sleeping patterns.

What if you could take something that would help protect your eyes from the electronic blue light?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 24.4 million Americans age 40 and over have or have had a cataract. By age 75, about half of all Americans will have a cataract.

What if you could take something that would help protect your eyes from cataracts?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 2.1 million Americans age 50 and older have age-related macular degeneration. By age 80, 1 in 10 Americans have some form of age-related macular degeneration.

What if you could take something that would help protect your eyes from macular degeneration?

According to the CDC, about 7.7 million Americans suffer from diabetic retinopathy and that figure is expected to double to at least 14.6 million by 2050.

What if you could take something that would help protect your eyes from diabetic retinopathy?

There are two compounds that do that very thing. They help protect the eyes from electronic blue light, from cataracts, from macular degeneration, from diabetic retinopathy, along with eye detachments and uveitis (an inflammation of the middle layer in the eye).

They are lutein (LOO-teen) and zeaxanthin (zee-ah-ZAN-thin).

According to Healthline:

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two important carotenoids, which are pigments produced by plants that give fruits and vegetables a yellow to reddish hue…

Both are potent antioxidants and offer a range of health benefits. However, lutein and zeaxanthin are best known for protecting your eyes…

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only dietary carotenoids that accumulate in the retina, particularly the macula region, which is located at the back of your eye.

Because they’re found in concentrated amounts in the macula, they’re known as macular pigments.

The macula is essential for vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin work as important antioxidants in this area by protecting your eyes from harmful free radicals. It’s thought that a reduction of these antioxidants over time can impair eye health.

Lutein and zeaxanthin also act as a natural sunblock by absorbing excess light energy. They’re thought to especially protect your eyes from harmful blue light.

According to WebMD:

Lutein and zeaxanthin can help protect your eyes from harmful high-energy light waves like ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Studies suggest that a high level of both in eye tissue is linked with better vision, especially in dim light or where glare is a problem.

According to All About Vision:

It is believed that lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin in the macula block blue light from reaching the underlying structures in the retina, thereby reducing the risk of light-induced oxidative damage that could lead to macular degeneration (AMD).

According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation:

Dr. Johanna M. Seddon and associates at Harvard University found that 6 mg per day of lutein led to a 43% lower risk for macular degeneration.

Natural sources of lutein and zeaxanthin include broccoli, kale, parsley, peas, spinach, carrots, corn, cantaloupe, orange and yellow peppers, salmon, eggs, turnip greens, collard greens, zucchini, beans (snap and green), tangerines, oranges, papaya, romaine lettuce, celery, tomatoes, peaches, vegetable juice, grapefruit and Brussels sprouts.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are also available in supplement form. Dr. Seddon recommends a daily dosage of 6mg to 30 mg of lutein to help with eye health. You can find supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin in most places where vitamins and supplements are sold. I recently purchased some that contain 25mg of lutein and 5mg of zeaxanthin. I got it because I work on a computer all day long as well as the fact of being a diabetic. If you want to take care of your most precious sense, I highly recommend you eat foods that contain lutein and zeaxanthin and even start taking a supplement containing both, especially if you spend much time in front of an electronic screen, if you are a diabetic, in lots of sunlight or any other place that could tax your eyes.