Omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are nutrients known to be important for visual development early in life and visual performance throughout the lifespan. DHA is highly concentrated in the brain and the retinal cell membranes. EPA and DHA perform multiple tasks in supporting healthy vision, including enriching neural tissues and photoreceptor cells in the eye.
There is a dramatic increase in delivery of Omega-3s to the fetus in the third trimester of pregnancy and these fatty acids continue to be important through infancy and early childhood – the visual system is not mature at birth but continues to develop through the first several years of life.
Several studies suggest that Omega-3s may help to protect adult eyes from macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome as well as decrease the risk of high eye pressure and glaucoma (1,2,3).
It is important to ensure you are eating an eye-healthy diet packed with Omega-3s EPA and DHA. If you do not eat fatty fish on a weekly basis, look for foods and beverages fortified with MEG-3® fish oil or dietary supplements with MEG-3®.
References
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