CINCINNATI (WKRC) — As the fall season ushers in a variety of colorful foods, experts highlight the benefits of incorporating these into your diet for eye health.

Dr. Jennifer Mercado, an optometrist at Vision One, emphasized the importance of regular eye exams.

“That’s one of the biggest benefits of keeping up with the yearly eye exam, because we will see subtle changes much more easily than if we are seeing people five years apart for their appointments,” said Mercado.

Laura Brown, the Director of Nutrition for Kroger Health, advocates for a diverse diet.

“We want people to eat the rainbow, every different color has a different super power that’s going to really help you to nourish your body, nourish your plate,” said Brown.

She noted that certain plant foods contain phytonutrients, which are beneficial for fighting disease.

When it comes to eye health, lutein and zeaxanthin are two key nutrients found in yellow and green foods such as carrots, peppers, corn, spinach, kale, and collard greens.

“What I always say about your greens, especially the spinach, the kale, buy them fresh and make a beautiful salad, but then as you are starting to see that maybe they are going to go bad throw them in your freezer,” said Brown.

These nutrients are also present in fruits like blueberries and mangoes, as well as in eggs. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only dietary carotenoids that accumulate in the retina, making them critical for vision.

Experts suggest aiming for five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, ensuring that at least one serving is green.