(Ed speaks: I found this an interesting question, since I’m blind as a bat! Sadly, in my case, no amount of carrots will help..) 

1) Source: Website
www.abc.net.au/health/talkinghealth/factbuster
/stories/2008/03/19/2176569.htm

“…While there is some truth to the old wives’ tale regarding carrots and eyesight, Professor Algis Vingrys, from the University of Melbourne’s Department of Optometry and Vision Services, says no amount of carrots will improve your eyesight if you already have a well balanced diet.
A diet with sufficient vitamin A, iron and other provitamins (substances that our bodies can convert into vitamins) is vital for eye health…”

2) Source: Website
www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au/hav/articles.nsf/docs/carrots?Open

“The short answer is no. Carrots cannot improve your eyesight, however there are many benefits that can be gained from consuming carrots…”

3) Source: Website
www.nytimes.com/2005/05/03/health/03real.html

“The facts your mother probably told you that carrots are good for your eyes – and you probably dismissed it as just an old wives’ tale. But the claim is not baseless.
Carrots are high in beta carotene, a component of vitamin A, which is critical to normal vision. It’s no coincidence that in countries where rice is a dietary staple but carrots and other sources of the vitamin are scarce, poor vision is rampant. So should you forget about glasses and just eat carrots? Probably not. Studies show that while taking vitamin A can reverse poor vision caused by a deficiency, it will not strengthen eyesight or slow decline in people who are healthy…”

4) Source: Book
Title: The World Book encyclopedia
Publisher: Chicago : World Book, Inc. cc2008.
Call number: R q031 WOR

“carrot is a plant with an orange root that is eaten as a vegetable. Carrots contain vitamin B1 and small amounts of vitamins B2 and C. Carrots also contain carotene, a substance that is used by the human body to produce vitamin A. In addition, carrots are rich in sugar and potassium…”

All websites last accessed on 21 Nov 2008

Originally answered by Ms Norah Ismail, Librarian, Adult and Young People’s Services

 Posted by Yen Yen Toh, Librarian, Adult and Young People’s Services

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