Eating carrots won't improve your vision. That's a myth. But it will protect your vision, according to VSP Vision Care, a non-profit provider of vision services in a new video.

Carrots have vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin A, C and E that can reduce the impacts of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Some 30 percent of eye care providers are asked at least once a week about carrots improving vision, according to VSP.

But doctors say that carrots and other healthy foods are important. Lutein, zeaxanthin and minerals including zinc, copper and selenium can help protect the retina, which is the light- sensitive part of the back of the eye. Special fatty acids in fish protect the retina and can help the eyes maintain a layor of protective moisture.  
 
“One of the keys to keeping your vision healthy is an overall healthy diet. Developing good eating habits and a balanced diet to maintain proper levels of the important vitamins A, C, E as well as lutein and zinc such as are found in fruits and vegetables will help to lower the risk of some of these serious vision related problems in the future,” said Roger Phelps, an eye doctor in the VSP system, said in a statement.
 
The eye docs recommend eating these foods at least three times a week for good eye health:

+Carrots, kale, spinach, dairy products, egg yolks for vitamin A 
+Citrus fruits, especially kiwi, and juices, green peppers, broccoli, potatoes for vitamin C
+Eggs, whole grains, vegetable oils, sunflower seeds for vitamin E
+Spinach, corn, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts for lutein and zeaxanthin
+Coldwater fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and rainbow trout, and sunflower oil and corn oil for omega-3 fatty acids
+Meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, dairy products for zinc
 
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Baltimore sun file photo/Andre F. Chung