By Pavan Kaushik
In today’s times of increasing working hours and chronic stress, Computer Vision Syndrome and Digital Eye Strain are a common issue. Headache, blurred vision, irritation, extra tearing, excessive blinking and even neck pain are symptoms of the same. In times like these, it is essential to take extra care of vision health.
Zinc and Eye Health
Zinc, the essential trace mineral, or helper molecule, is vital for eye health. Zinc is highly concentrated in the eye, mostly in the retina and choroid, the vascular tissue layer under the retina. It plays a crucial role in bringing vitamin A from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin, a protective pigment in the eyes.
Zinc’s Protective Effects
Zinc has been shown to protect against age-related macular degeneration, night blindness, cataract, damage to the optic nerve, impaired vision, poor night vision, and cloudy cataracts. A person with zinc deficiency in their body is also at risk for alopecia (loss of hair from eyebrows and eyelashes), mental sluggishness, and increased susceptibility to infection.
Recommended Daily Zinc Intake
Experts recommend a daily amount of zinc consumption of 8 milligrams (mg) for women and 11 mg for men. Good food sources of zinc include nuts, seafood, spinach, mushrooms, milk, yogurt, eggs, cocoa, black-eyed peas, tofu, and wheat germ.
Hindustan Zinc is India’s only and world’s leading Zinc-Lead-Silver Producer.
About the author
Author is the Head Corporate Communications at Hindustan Zinc
