0In this second in a series on eye health, Anne Akers interviews Dr. Rudrani Banik, a leading neuro-ophthalmologist and functional medicine expert, who is redefining how we care for our eyes as we age. Her “Ageless Eyes Signature Program™” blends science-backed nutrition, lifestyle strategies, and root-cause healing to address common midlife vision concerns like dry eye, cataracts, and macular degeneration.  Dr. Banik offers empowering, actionable insights for women navigating hormonal shifts, chronic conditions, and the cosmetic changes that affect the eyes.

Q: Your Ageless Eyes program specifically targets vision challenges that develop with age. What are the 3 most common eye conditions you see in the mature woman, and how does your integrative approach differ from conventional treatment?

 A: The three most common age-related eye concerns I see in women are:

1. Dry Eye Syndrome
2. Cataracts
3. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Conventional treatments for these typically involve artificial tears for dry eye, surgery for cataracts, and a wait-and-watch approach until advanced forms of AMD develop, after which monthly procedures may be needed to salvage vision.

Instead, the integrative approach that I teach in my “Ageless Eyes Signature Program™,” focuses on prevention, root cause identification, and resolution of these 3 eye issues. Ageless Eyes also helps address many other common eye issues such as presbyopia, cataracts, and cosmetic age-related changes that happen around the eyes, such as dark circles, eye bags and sags, and wrinkles around the eyes.

For example, for AMD, based on the principles I share in Ageless Eyes, instead of waiting for devastating vision loss to occur, only after which treatment with eye injections can begin, I emphasize targeted dietary changes. By substantially increasing your intake of the macular carotenoids – lutein and zeaxanthin- key nutrients necessary to fight against AMD, one can reduce progression and risk of vision loss by 43%.

Also, for dry eye, rather than simply recommending lubricating drops, I work with my patients and students to help them restore healthy meibomian gland function, support their hormones, and reduce inflammation, as described above.

In the Ageless Eyes Signature Program™, I also teach lifestyle modifications to promote eye health, such as avoidance of toxins, optimizing exposure to light wavelengths (photobiomodulation), exercise and movement, stress modulation, and evidence-based supplementation.

Q: In your book, Beyond Carrots, you discuss nutrients for essential eye health. Which nutrients are most critical and which are age-specific?

Contrary to popular belief that carrots and the beta carotene they provide are the be-all and end-all for ocular nutrition, there are over 30 nutrients needed for healthy

vision, and over 40 foods that provide them! Some of these eye nutrients become even more important with age due to changes in absorption and increased oxidative stress. The most critical include:

• The 3 macular carotenoids- lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin: To protect against AMD and excessive blue light exposure
• Vitamin C, E, and A: To serve as powerful antioxidants that fight free radical damage and support overall ocular health.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA/EPA): To support retinal structure and tear film stability, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
• B vitamins (B2, B3, B6, B9, B12): To support optic nerve function and energy production by our mitochondria
• Magnesium, Selenium, and CoQ10: For mitochondrial function, especially relevant in aging eyes.

You can learn more about these eye nutrients in my free downloadable guide, The 30+ Nutrients Your Eyes Need to Stay Healthy, or via my book, Beyond Carrots – Best Foods For Eye Health A to Z, available on Amazon in print and Kindle.

Q: How do you address the root causes of chronic eye conditions, particularly for women dealing with multiple health concerns?

As an integrative and functional medicine provider, I look upstream to identify imbalances within the body that result in disease processes that affect the eyes. These root causes need to be first identified and then addressed. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, hormone dysregulation, and gut dysbiosis are often at the core of eye disorders. For example, women with autoimmune conditions, diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions, or thyroid disorders are at greater risk of chronic eye issues.

I use a personalized, systems-based approach that includes comprehensive history taking, functional testing, targeted nutrition, lifestyle interventions (like sleep optimization, stress management, and movement), and pharmaceutical-grade supplementation. This whole-body, root-cause approach sets integrative eye care apart.

RUDRANI BANIK, M.D. is a Board-certified Ophthalmologist, fellowship-trained Neuro-Ophthalmologist, and Functional Medicine expert. She is fully trained in ophthalmic surgery and Botox, and she has a special interest in treating Headache and Migraine. Dr. Banik manages a wide spectrum of conditions affecting vision, as well as the complex connections between the eye and brain. She is the author of Beyond the Carrot. Visit her website.