A new nutrition and eye health study from the United Kingdom looked at various causes for cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye and cataracts cause poor vision even with glasses or contact lenses. Dietary intake was observed for 2054 Caucasian female twins. Twin studies are important in that they allow an assessment of genetic contributions to disease. In this study, called the TwinsUK Study, it was found that genetics only play a 35% role in the timing of the development of cataracts, which means that 65% of the cause for developing cataracts is environmental or nutritional. In the study, the researchers found that taking Vitamin C supplements was associated with a 19% reduction in the baseline chance of developing cataracts, while manganese consumption accounted for a 20% reduction in the baseline chance of having cataracts. This study confirms the importance of nutrition, and nutritional supplements, on eye health. Interesting, we see a very important role for Vitamin C in laser vision correction. Studies have suggested that the use of Vitamin C both before and after PRK laser vision correction may improve the healing of the surface of the cornea. Similarly, studies have shown that the use of topical Vitamin E may have some beneficial role in healing after PRK. Oral omega-3 supplements also have been shown to improve healing after PRK or LASIK laser vision correction through both anti-inflammatory effects and improvement in tear quality.