Vitamins for Retinal Detachment

The retina is the tissue that lines the back, inner part of your eye, and the light-sensitive cells of the tissue pass along the information converted to the images you see. Some people have a retinal detachment without a known cause, but in some cases, a detachment may stem from an eye injury or disease 1. Certain vitamins help strengthen the retina, and this may help prevent a detachment or help the retina heal after a detachment repair.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A can help nourish and strengthen your retina, which may help prevent a detachment. This vitamin has antioxidant properties, which may prevent the oxidation and subsequent breakdown of retinal cells. Foods such as carrots, pumpkin and cantaloupe contain vitamin A, as well as whole milk, beef liver and chicken liver.

Vitamin C

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Vitamin C helps the blood vessels of the eye, which includes the retinal vessels, and also has beneficial antioxidant properties for retinal health. Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit contain vitamin C, and other foods include spinach, tomatoes and bananas.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another antioxidant vitamin. This nutrient helps provide healthy membranes of the cells throughout your body and retina. You can find vitamin E in many seeds and nuts, such as sunflower seeds, peanuts and almonds. Other foods, such as sweet potatoes, also contain some amount of vitamin E.

Treatment

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Vitamins can't treat a retinal detachment but may help in healing and prevention 1. If you have a detachment, an eye surgeon has to perform surgery to repair the damage and keep the retina in place. Talk with your eye surgeon about the appropriate dose of these vitamins you should take after retinal surgery. If your doctor recommends high doses, you may need to take a supplement instead of relying on dietary intake.

Warning

If you experience a significant number of new floaters in your vision, or if you see a dark area come across your vision -- much like a dark “curtain” -- contact your eye doctor immediately. These symptoms indicate a possible retinal detachment and require immediate medical attention. Don't rely on vitamins as a method of treatment for a detached retina, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.