Do Carrots Help You See In The Dark?
Well, yes and no. Carrots contain a high level of Vitamin A which your body needs to produce rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a light-sensitive pigment in the eyes that works in low-light environments.
A deficiency of Vitamin A can cause difficulty seeing in low light conditions, and in people with a severe lack of Vitamin A, night blindness can occur.
If people with Vitamin A deficiency eat carrots it would help correct this and improve their low light vision, but it will only correct their low light vision to the point of a person with normal levels of Vitamin A.
If a person with sufficient Vitamin A levels eats more carrots, it will not give them better night vision than is normal and will never let people see in total darkness.
The myth that carrots improve night vision all started back in World War II by the Air Ministry. Britain developed and started using a secret radar to stop German bombers on night raids, and to avoid the German’s finding this out they issued a press release saying British pilots were eating lots of carrots to give them excellent night vision.
Not only did they fool the German Military, but also the British public was encouraged to eat more carrots to help them see better during blackouts, and so was born the old wives tale.
For more information about foods that contribute to healthier vision, please read our article 3 food options to eat your way to healthier vision.
About the expert
Mr Hamada | Consultant Ophthalmologist and Corneal Surgeon
MD, MSc, DO (hons), FRCSEd, FRCOphth I am Samer, founder and consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in ophthalmology. I am a world-renowned specialist in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. I’m not only a leading surgeon but also the only dual fellowship trained in corneal diseases in children from reputable institutions in the UK. At Eye Clinic London I work closely with other consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. Our main aim is to make sure our patients get the safest and best treatments available to them. We put your safety before anything else so you can rest assured that if you choose us you will be in the best and safest hands.
