The doctor explained the benefits of carrots for vision

Carrots can help improve vision, but they don't work wonders or provide night vision. This was reported by Popular Science magazine on February 6.

During the Second World War, the British distributed a poster that read: "Carrots will keep you healthy and help you see during a blackout." This canvas was created by the British Ministry of Food and became part of a military campaign to promote healthy eating. In the face of food shortages, the consumption of excess carrots was one of the key goals.

The idea of the benefits of carrots for vision is still alive — and with good reason. According to the publication, carrots do support eye health and night vision, but their capabilities are limited.

"People shouldn't think, 'I'll eat carrots and I'll see better. This is not true," said Dr. Jonathan Rubinstein, head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center.

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, the pigment that gives them their orange color. Leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale also contain beta-carotene, but it is hidden by chlorophyll. In the body, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A, which is especially important for the health of the retina.

There are two types of photosensitive cells in the retina: cones, responsible for color and clear vision, and rods, providing night and peripheral vision. Both types, according to experts, need vitamin A, but the rods are especially sensitive to its deficiency. Without it, they cannot produce enough rhodopsin, a photosensitive protein. As a result, night vision and peripheral vision deteriorate.

According to the National Institutes of Health, night blindness may be the first sign of vitamin A deficiency. Worldwide, its deficiency remains one of the leading causes of preventable blindness, especially among children. However, in developed countries, severe vitamin A deficiency is rare and is usually associated with either an extremely unbalanced diet or serious illnesses.

For most people, a balanced diet with foods rich in beta-carotene is sufficient. However, you should know that excessive consumption of carrots does not improve eyesight and can lead to carotenemia, a harmless and reversible condition in which the skin turns yellowish-orange.

In addition to vitamin A, the eyes need other substances. For example, omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish, vitamin E from nuts can reduce the risk of macular degeneration, and vitamin C from fruits can partially protect against cataracts, especially when combined with smoking cessation and UV protection.

Rubinstein emphasized that carrots do not cure anything and do not improve eyesight by themselves, since it is just one of the products that support eye health. According to him, the best approach to eye health is a varied and balanced diet. The specialist recommended following a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fish and nuts.

On December 3, 2025, Medical Xpress magazine reported on the effects of diabetes on the eyes. According to the publication, the disease damages the vessels of the retina and leads to a disease such as diabetic retinopathy. It was clarified that this is one of the leading diseases that cause vision loss in people aged 25-74 years worldwide.

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