Ocular Health, Vision, and a Healthy Diet

The human eye is a complex sensory organ designed for optimal vision under varying conditions of light. A number of ocular disorders can influence the eye's visual system. Extensive research shows that vision is hampered in aging and diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. An in-depth understanding of the vulnerability of the visual system to alterations in aging and disease is imperative. Evidence indicates that some of these changes may be mediated by environmental factors and lifestyle choices. The scope of this chapter collates the role of advancing age, inflammation, and healthy diet on the visual system, and links them to disease pathogenesis. This chapter also highlights current and future strategic interventions for the prevention of ocular disorders and the promotion of healthy vision.