When you shop online or walk into a store looking for a vitamin, what's the first thought you have when deciding what you need? Do you look at the ingredients on the bottle and know what any of them are? Let's make it easy for you: look for these top 3 ingredients that will improve and protect your vision.

1. Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin is a nutrient found in the back of our eyes that acts as our "internal sunglasses," protecting our vision from harmful blue light and other oxidants that can cause age-related eye health issues. If your eyes have the right amount of zeaxanthin, your vision is protected from these issues. We're all born with this nutrient, but it fades as we age because our bodies are unable to reproduce it. This means that in order to get the correct amount of zeaxanthin needed to protect vision, we need to eat foods containing it like dark leafy greens and orange peppers. In the typical American diet however, we don't eat enough of these foods. Fortunately, taking a zeaxanthin vitamin can help you get the right amount of this nutrient needed to protect your vision.

2. Lutein

A healthy eye contains a 2:1 ratio of zeaxanthin and lutein. This nutrient serves as the second component of nature’s internal sunglasses and can be found in marigolds and green, leafy vegetables. Like zeaxanthin, the body does not produce lutein. That's why taking a vitamin with both zeaxanthin and lutein is the best way to protect your vision.

3. Omega-3s (fish oil)

An essential nutrient that promotes eye, heart and skin health. Deficiency in Omega–3 can result in poor eye and brain function. Omega–3 can be found in cold-water fish, flaxseed and walnuts. It can also helps those suffering from occasional dry eye. Finding a premium and refined brand is the best way to ensure you're getting the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Know what's in your vitamins to make sure your eyes are getting what they need most.