The Eye

The eye is a very important sensory organ since almost half of all sensory impressions are visual.

The eye comprises the eye-ball and a number of elements which anchor or move the eye or provide moisture. The eye-ball itself consists of several layers, with the innermost, the retina, being composed of millions of photoreceptors (cones which enable colour vision and rods for black and white) which are light-sensitive “receivers”. Reflecting the high volume of sensory impressions we receive, the eye needs to perform well at all times. In order to achieve high performance levels, significant supplies of energy and oxygen are required, which is why the eye is the organ with the best supply of blood. The retina in particular can only remain healthy and maintain its function if it constantly receives a sufficient quantity of blood, which supplies micronutrients to the eye. This requires the micronutrients to pass through a barrier (the blood-retina barrier) in order to penetrate the inner part of the eye and to reach the light-sensitive receptors (photoreceptors and nerve cells) located there.

As part of the process of maintaining eyesight, the light-sensitive cells need to be continually renewed. Light triggers an oxidative process in light-sensitive cells, however. Dead eye-cells need to be removed and replaced by new ones. Factors which impact the equilibrium of the oxidative loss of cells and the supply of anti-oxidative nutrients include the process of seeing, exposure to uv light, ageing, an unbalanced diet and changes in metabolism. The result is oxidative stress.

The ageing process has particular impact of the supply of nutrients to cells in the eyes. As a result, even in cases where a balanced, healthy diet is consumed, it can make sense to supplement this with the specific micronutrients required to maintain good vision.

Eyes which are well-supplied with micronutrients stay healthy.