Can too much zinc affect your vision?

Doctors have known for a long time that your vision won't stay sharp if you're not getting enough zinc. But a study in the Archives of Ophthalmology shows that getting too much zinc can damage your eyes.


What are the symptoms of too much zinc?

Zinc supplements are generally well-tolerated. But taking too much zinc can cause side effects like diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting.
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What are the symptoms of taking too much zinc?
  • Diarrhea.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Headaches.


Does zinc play a role in vision?

Zinc, a trace element that influences cell metabolism through a variety of mechanisms, appears to play an integral role in maintaining normal ocular function. This element is present in high concentrations in ocular tissue, particularly in retina and choroid.


Does zinc affect eye pressure?

Levels of zinc in the aqueous humor of the three aforementioned types of patients were all significantly higher than that of controls. 3. Aqueous humor [Zn] positively correlated with intraocular pressure (IOP) and increased significantly when IOP was higher than 21mmHg.

Can zinc make macular degeneration worse?

Zinc supplementation is reported to slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but there is no general consensus on the beneficiary effect on zinc in AMD. As zinc can stimulate autophagy that is declined in AMD, it is rational to assume that it can slow down its progression.


What happens if you take TOO MUCH Zinc?



Does zinc help eye floaters?

Ireland and Germany-based researchers found the supplement blend of L-lysine, vitamin C, Vitis vinifera​, zinc and Citrus aurantium​ decreased visual discomfort caused from these floaters.

How much zinc should I take for eye health?

According to the American Optometric Association, taking 40–80 mg of zinc each day, alongside certain antioxidants, could slow the progression of advanced AMD by 25%. It could also reduce visual acuity loss by 19%. Sources of zinc include: seafood, such as oysters, crab, and lobster.

Can low zinc cause blurry vision?

Blurry vision can be a result of zinc deficiency. The eye contains high concentrations of zinc, and when someone is zinc-deficient, they may experience altered vision. In severe cases, zinc deficiency can cause changes in the retina.


Which vitamin is responsible for weak eyesight?

Vitamin A

Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common causes of blindness in the world ( 1 ). This vitamin is essential for maintaining your eyes' light-sensing cells, also known as photoreceptors.

Can some vitamins cause eye problems?

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is used for lowering hyperlipidemia or cholesterol and comes in prescription and over-the-counter forms; it can produce a rare toxic reaction called niacin-induced cystoid maculopathy, a form of retinal swelling.

What supplements cause blurred vision?

Vitamin A (fat-soluble): Too much can cause hypervitaminosis A, symptoms of which may include blurry vision, bone pain, decreased appetite, liver disease, high calcium levels and osteoporosis.


Which vitamin is most associated with vision?

Vitamin A is especially important for eye health. The American Academy of Ophthalmology explains that vitamin A helps your eyes produce pigments that make it possible to see the full spectrum of light. Vitamin A also nourishes other parts of your eye.

What supplements should I take to improve my eyesight?

Here are 9 key vitamins and nutrients that help maintain eye health.
  1. Vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in vision by maintaining a clear cornea, which is the outside covering of your eye. ...
  2. Vitamin E. ...
  3. Vitamin C. ...
  4. Vitamins B6, B9, and B12. ...
  5. Riboflavin. ...
  6. Niacin. ...
  7. Lutein and Zeaxanthin. ...
  8. Omega-3 Fatty Acids.


How do you flush zinc out of your system?

Chelation is a process that removes excess metals, such as zinc, copper, or lead, from the body. During this treatment, a doctor gives the person a drug that helps bind the excess zinc and remove it from the body through the urine.


How much zinc per day is too much?

But taking doses higher than 40 mg daily might decrease how much copper the body absorbs. Taking very high doses of zinc is likely unsafe and might cause stomach pain, vomiting, and many other problems. Single doses of 10-30 grams of zinc can be fatal.

Is 50mg of zinc too much?

Barnett, PhD, a scientist in Tufts' HNRCA Nutritional Immunology Laboratory who has studied zinc, replies: “The Upper Limit (UL) of the essential mineral zinc intake for adults is 40 milligrams per day. This includes intake from dietary, fortified and supplementary sources.

Why is my vision getting worse?

As you get older, particularly around the age of 40-50, your eyesight ability may decline for close-up tasks such as reading. This is because the crystalline lens in your eye becomes less flexible, which makes it harder to focus on close-up objects.


Is zinc good for your eyes?

One of the biggest benefits of taking either a zinc supplement or adding more zinc filled foods into your diet is that it has been shown to protect your eyes against macular degeneration and some forms of night blindness.

What deficiency causes vision problems?

Vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining the eyes' photoreceptors— the light sensing cells. Without this vitamin, night blindness, dry eyes, or other severe ocular conditions can develop. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common causes of blindness.

What causes blurry vision and fatigue?

Blurred vision can also be a symptom of another medical condition, such as:
  • diabetes.
  • migraine.
  • stroke.
  • head injury.
  • low blood sugar.
  • pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure) if you are pregnant.
  • psoriasis (a skin condition that sometimes can also affect the eyes)
  • multiple sclerosis.


How can I test my zinc levels at home?

How to test for zinc. Have the patient “hold two teaspoonfuls (10 mL) of liquid Zinc Test (approx. 5 mgs of zinc sulfate) in the mouth for at least 10 seconds. A lack of taste or a delayed taste perception in the mouth may indicate a possible zinc insufficiency.

Why do my eyes feel weak and blurry?

Common causes of eyestrain include: Looking at digital device screens. Reading without pausing to rest your eyes. Driving long distances and doing other activities involving focusing for a long time.

Does zinc help with night vision?

Dietary zinc deficiency is common, and a lack of zinc may reduce the activity of retinol dehydrogenase, an enzyme needed to help vitamin A work in the eye. Zinc helps night blindness in people who are zinc-deficient; therefore, many physicians suggest 15 to 30 mg of zinc per day to support healthy vision.


Is zinc Good for optic nerve?

New research by Larry Benowitz, PhD, and colleagues shows how zinc regulates the survival of retinal ganglion cells, and by binding it (zinc chelation), can help the optic nerve to regenerate.

How to improve eye vision?

Other Tips to Increase Eyesight
  1. Eat Healthy Foods.
  2. Stop Smoking.
  3. Always Wear Sunglasses.
  4. Wear Protective Eyewear.
  5. Take Breaks from the Computer Screen.
  6. Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly.