In the ever-evolving landscape of eye care, practitioners are increasingly recognizing the critical role that nutrition plays in both systemic and ocular health. While pharmacological treatments and surgical interventions remain essential tools in managing eye diseases, a more foundational approach—centered on what patients eat—is gaining momentum. At the heart of this movement lies the plant-based diet.

Dr. Rudrani Banik welcomes Ocean Robbins, CEO and co-founder of the Food Revolution Network, to explore how food choices—specifically a whole-food, plant-based diet—can serve as medicine. The episode delivered compelling insights into how diet impacts not just general well-being but also eye health, making a strong case for integrating lifestyle medicine into clinical optometry and ophthalmology practices.

What’s Covered :What Is a Plant-Based Diet?Whole vs. Processed: Why Food Quality MattersThe Role of Diet in Ocular InflammationPlant-Based Diet and Eye Disease PreventionProtein: A Common MisconceptionFiber, Phytonutrients, and the MicrobiomePolicy, Access, and the Bigger PictureTakeaways for Eye Care Professionals

What Is a Plant-Based Diet?

As Ocean Robbins explained, the term “plant-based” refers to a diet centered around foods that originate from plants—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. While often confused with veganism, a plant-based diet is less about strict exclusion of animal products and more about prioritizing plant foods in their most natural forms.

Robbins emphasized the distinction between simply plant-based and whole-food, plant-based eating. French fries and refined grains, for example, are technically plant-based but offer little nutritional value. Whole-food plant-based diets, by contrast, aim to minimize or eliminate ultra-processed foods, focusing instead on nutrient-dense, fiber-rich options.

Whole vs. Processed: Why Food Quality Matters

The difference between eating plants and eating real plants is not just semantics—it’s the difference between health and disease.“Every step counts. That movement can create profound life-giving benefits.” – Ocean Robbins

Research supports this assertion. A 2019 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that participants who consumed more healthful plant-based foods had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed more processed plant-based items. This aligns with Robbins’ emphasis on returning to foods “Mother Nature would recognize.”

In eye care, where diseases like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are tightly linked to systemic health, these dietary nuances matter deeply.

The Role of Diet in Ocular Inflammation

One of the most recurring themes in eye disease is inflammation—whether in dry eye, AMD, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. “One of the best ways to fight [ocular] inflammation is through antioxidants—and our best source of antioxidants is our diet.” – Dr. Rudrani Banik

Plant-based diets are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids—all of which combat oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. These nutrients are particularly abundant in foods like leafy greens, berries, turmeric, and dark chocolate.

Robbins pointed out that chronic inflammation is not just a contributing factor to eye disease but a systemic issue impacting multiple organ systems, including the brain and cardiovascular system. Since the eye is a highly vascular organ, improving overall circulation and reducing systemic inflammation can yield direct benefits in ocular health.

Plant-Based Diet and Eye Disease Prevention

While large-scale clinical trials specific to eye health are still emerging, the foundational principles are clear: better circulation and lower inflammation promote better vision.

Dr. Banik highlighted the relevance of macular carotenoids—like lutein and zeaxanthin—which are plentiful in dark leafy greens and have been shown to protect against AMD and cataracts. Similarly, flavonoids found in colorful fruits and vegetables may help improve retinal blood flow and reduce intraocular pressure, a key concern in glaucoma.

In fact, a study published in Nutrients in 2020 concluded that plant-based diets are associated with reduced risk of glaucoma and cataracts due to the high concentration of these bioactive compounds.

Protein: A Common Misconception

A common barrier for patients considering a plant-based diet is concern about protein intake. Robbins dismantled this myth with clarity.

“All whole plant foods contain all the essential amino acids,” he noted, adding that the concern for “complete proteins” is outdated. From soy products like tofu and tempeh to legumes, nuts, seeds, and even vegetables, it is entirely possible—and in many cases beneficial—to meet protein needs without animal products.

Moreover, excessive animal protein has been linked to increased inflammation and higher cancer risk. Robbins cited research from Dr. Valter Longo indicating that high-protein diets, especially those rich in animal protein, were correlated with increased mortality and disease.

Fiber, Phytonutrients, and the Microbiome

Another standout insight from the episode was the role of fiber and its impact on the gut microbiome—something of increasing interest to both general health and eye care.

Less than 4% of Americans meet the recommended fiber intake, and yet fiber is essential for feeding the beneficial gut bacteria that regulate immune responses, inflammation, and even mental health. Fiber is only found in plant foods, making it a critical part of any lifestyle medicine plan.

When fiber-rich diets improve gut health, the downstream effects often include reduced systemic inflammation, better glucose control, and improved vascular function—all of which are essential in managing and preventing eye disease.

Policy, Access, and the Bigger Picture

Perhaps the most eye-opening part of the episode came during Robbins’ discussion of public health policy. He revealed that 83% of agricultural land is devoted to livestock production, yet it produces only 18% of the world’s calories. Meanwhile, government subsidies make ultra-processed foods cheaper than fresh produce, especially affecting underserved populations.

This inequality has profound implications for eye health disparities, particularly in minority communities where the prevalence of chronic eye diseases is higher. By advocating for produce prescriptions, insurance-covered nutritional counseling, and policy reform, Robbins and the Food Revolution Network aim to make healthy food accessible to all.

Takeaways for Eye Care Professionals

So what does this mean for eye care providers?

1. 
   
2. Start the conversation. Ask patients about their diet and offer simple, evidence-based suggestions.
   
   
3. Educate and empower. Share resources, recommend books like Robbins’ Powered by Plants, and refer patients to nutrition-savvy professionals.
   
   
4. Lead by example. As healthcare providers, your own lifestyle choices can inspire and validate change.
   
   
5. Advocate for access. Support local and national efforts to bring healthy food into schools, communities, and healthcare systems.
   
   
6. Integrate lifestyle medicine. Diet is a powerful form of preventive medicine. Use it as a tool in your clinical toolkit.
   

Nutrition is foundational to health—and as eye care professionals, embracing the plant-based movement not only enhances your patient outcomes but positions you at the forefront of a transformative shift in medicine. Whether it’s macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or glaucoma, the science is increasingly clear: food is medicine, and plants hold the prescription.