When most of us think about the factors that contribute to our amazing ability to see the world in all of it’s glorious detail, vitamin A and thyroid hormone are probably not the first things that come to mind. However, these two substances are in fact quite important to the maintenance of good eyesight, as a recent study at the John Hopkins University has found that a tiny portion of the retina, much smaller than the head of a pin, is responsible for nearly half of all of what we see!

The retina itself is a collection of cells at the back of the eye, which allow us to see the world around us with clarity. Embedded in the retina is a very small structure called the macula, which is vital to our central eyesight which we use to read and discern faces. The vitamin A and thyroid hormones are vital to the workings of the retina and the processing of the images sent to it.

Perhaps it is no surprise that Vitamin A plays such a large role in our eyesight, as it is most often associated with the functionality of the eyes. This vital nutrient aids in forming a substance called rhodopsin, which is a pigment in the eyes necessary for seeing in dark conditions. When Vitamin A is lacking, the pigment cannot be formed, resulting in a myriad of eye ailments. Vitamin A also helps to keep the eyes lubricated, as it is necessary for the proper formation of the protective covering of the corneas and eyeballs.

Though most people would not directly link thyroid hormones to eyesight, they in fact play an important role in sustaining good vision. The thyroid is a gland located in the windpipe, and it is responsible for producing many different hormones that help to regulate bodily functions such as metabolism. Thyroid hormones are important to a number of functions within the body, including the development of our eyes, and abnormal levels of thyroid hormones can cause vision problems as well as damage to the eyes.

The effects of a deficiency in Vitamin A and thyroid hormones can be absolutely devastating to one’s eyesight. A lack of Vitamin A is actually the largest single cause of preventable blindness in children, and it can lead to a number of different eye problems in adults. Thyroid hormone imbalances can cause similar problems for the eyes, including double vision and eye pain. If left untreated, such deficiencies and imbalances can cause permanent damage to the eyes. It is therefore vital that we obtain an adequate supply of Vitamin A each day, as well as keep watch on our body’s levels of thyroid hormones.

Maintaining healthy eyesight is very important, and it is something that we can help achieve by making sure that we are getting enough of the nutrients that our bodies need. Making sure to get plenty of Vitamin A is the first step to ensuring good eye health. Vitamin A is found in many different foods, like carrots and other orange vegetables, as well as dark green leafy vegetables. The body can make the Vitamin A it needs from beta-carotene, which is another nutrient found in those foods. Thyroid hormones are harder to control, as they are secreted by the thyroid gland, which makes regular trips to the doctor all the more important. Checking with your doctor to make sure that your thyroid hormones are within normal ranges is the next best thing to doing for your eyes.

Good eyesight is a wonderful thing, and it is something that we should all strive to maintain. Though there are certainly genetic factors that contribute to eye health, a well-balanced diet and good thyroid function will help your eyes to function at their very best.