A renowned health expert says certain foods could be the cause of pressure and discomfort behind your eyes. Dr Eric Berg is a respected medical professional and best-selling author.

He also has millions of followers on social media, and he took to Instagram to explain what could be causing you pain behind your eyes. He said that eyes are extremely sensitive to what you eat.

Dr Berg is a proponent of the keto diet, meaning he backs a diet low in carbohydrates but high in fat. He said that certain high-carbohydrate foods were the ‘most dangerous’ for your eyes, before going on to explain what you should eat to protect them.

Foods that are bad for your eyes

He said: “The most dangerous food for your eyes is not salty foods, it’s not fatty foods, and it’s definitely not processed meats. These foods cause problems with the pressure in the eye.

“Just take a look at a type-2 diabetic and what’s happening with their eyes. They definitely have problems with the retina, which is the extension of the brain sticking out which takes information into the brain.

“The most dangerous foods for the eyes are refined sugar and refined grains. Why? Because the eyes is super-sensitive to too much sugar and high carbohydrates in the diet.

“They end up creating diabetic myopathy, macular edema in the eye, glaucoma, and cataracts. The most healing food for the eyes is not foods enriched with synthetic Vitamin A, as in breakfast cereals, or foods that have been fortified with Beta Carotene – a precursor of Vitamin A added to orange juice or other drinks.

“Beta Carotene is not the active form of Vitamin A – very little of it turns into Vitamin A. But if you keep your diet low in carbs, and you consume whole foods with the active form of Vitamin A, like egg yolks, beef liver, and cod liver oil, you will support the eye, especially the retina, with the exact nutrients it needs.”

What is good for my eyes?

According to the Macular Society, the retina is one of the most metabolically active parts of the body. That leaves it open to oxidation – the process where cells lose electrons or gain oxygen – meaning the potential for more cancer-causing free-radicals.

Your body’s ability to clear them with antioxidants diminishes with age, making diet crucial for eye health. Research known as the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS) has led us to some key points on diet that we should be noting to protect our eyes:

• Lutein – Found in the likes of spinach, kale, red pepper, and egg yolks, it is thought to function as a light filter, protecting the eye tissues from sunlight damage.
• Antioxidants – Located in lots of fruits and vegetables, they can fight off harmful free radicals, which have been linked to health conditions like diabetes and cancer.
• Exercise – Plenty of exercise can help keep your cardiovascular system healthy, including your blood vessels. This helps deliver nutrients and oxygen around your body, including the eye.

Other tips

The Moorfields Private Eye Hospital also urges people to have regular check-ups, be aware of eye-related conditions, and eat healthily. Keeping active and not smoking or drinking too much are also important.

People are also advised to protect their eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This can cause damage to your eye known as photokeratitis. This is an inflammation in the cornea’s outer layer which results in pain, swelling and watering of the eye. Long-term damage of UV exposure can also include a significantly increased risk of developing age-related conditions, such as cataracts.

Brits are urged to wear decent sunglasses which carry the CE or British Standard BS EN 1836: 1997 marks. They should filter at least 99 per cent of UVA and UVB light to keep your eyes safe. You should also wear suitable eye wear when working or playing sport. Sport is the main cause of eye injury hospital admissions in the UK and the British Safety Council estimating that around 20,000 eye injuries occur every year as a result of DIY.

Finally, if you spend a lot of time looking at a screen, take regular breaks. Blue light from devices can lead to digital eye strain. Also, try to sleep well to give them the rest and recovery they need.