A colourful salad featuring grilled salmon, leafy greens, and berries, highlighting nutrient-rich superfoods known to support dry eye relief.

Summer Superfoods Support Dry Eye Relief

Jun 10, 2026

What Are Dry Eye Superfoods?

Dry eye superfoods provide more than just basic nutrition. The term “superfood” refers to foods or groups of foods packed with exceptional nutritional benefits. Some of these foods naturally help relieve dry eye, making them truly super! While they won’t give you superpowers, they deliver essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats that promote eye health and help ease dry eye symptoms. Summer in Saanich is the perfect time to take advantage of local produce that supports not only your eyes but also your community!

Which Superfoods Support Dry Eye Relief?

  1. 🥬 Leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, kale, and spinach rank among the best foods for eye health. In BC, leafy greens like kale and spinach are freshest in late summer through early to mid-fall. These vegetables contain antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which help cells function properly and stay healthy. By including leafy greens in your diet, you can help prevent many chronic eye conditions, including dry eye syndrome.
  2. 🫐 Berries like blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries also support eye health. During the summer months, these fruits are fresh on Vancouver Island and can be frozen to enjoy their health benefits year-round. Their rich colours indicate high levels of disease-fighting nutrients. The vitamin C found in berries protects against oxidative stress and plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy tear film.
  3. 🐟 Fish such as cod, salmon, and trout provide essential vitamins and omega fatty acids that promote tear production. Vitamin B6 supports a healthy tear film, while vitamin B12 helps keep your eyes lubricated and comfortable.

How to Choose the Best Quality Superfoods

Buying fresh, local, and seasonal produce not only feels good, but tastes delicious! Shopping local supports your Greater Victoria community and ensures you get the freshest, most nutrient-rich foods available. Seasonal superfoods are harvested at their peak, which enhances their flavour and nutritional value. When it comes to fish, the five main types of Pacific salmon are abundant in the summer, with some varieties (such as Chum and Chinook) still available into early fall. Local seasonal guides like BuyBC can help you find seasonal superfoods in British Columbia.

A farmer holds a basket of strawberries at a Saanich farmers market.

Local Saanich Farmer Markets Near You

Here are some local summer Saanich Farmer Markets where you can find some of these superfoods:

  • PKOLS Market at Lambrick Park every Sunday from May 31 to September 13, 2026. This market focuses on locally grown vegetables, fruit, and handcrafted goodies from the Saanich farm community.
  • North Saanich Farm Market is where you can find strawberries, lots of fresh greens, and even eggplant on summer Saturday mornings from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm.
  • Peninsula Country Market runs from June 6 to October 10, 2026, every Saturday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Many of this market’s vendors use eco-friendly, sustainable practices in growing their products, ensuring a positive impact on the environment.
  • Check out the BC Farmers Market Trail to find your local Farmers’ Market, wherever you might be in BC.

What is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease, also called dry eye syndrome, happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. If left untreated, dry eyes can progress from a minor irritation to a more serious problem that damages the surface of your eyes.

Common Symptoms of Dry Eye:

  • Stinging
  • Burning
  • Scratchy
  • Stringy mucus
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Eye redness
  • A sensation of having something in your eyes
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  • Difficulty with nighttime driving
  • Watery eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye fatigue

A superfood-rich diet is one way to support relief from dry eye. Another is to book a dry eyes consultation with Royal Oak Optometry. Our team of dry eye experts are here to help you find dry eye relief.

This post does not provide medical advice and is intended for informational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of information on this blog. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor (the Royal Oak Optometry Clinic phone number is 250-479-8206) or dial 911.

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