By now, most people appreciate the value of maintaining a healthy body, understanding that when our bodies are strong, we tend to look better, feel better and perform better. Too often overlooked, however, is the importance of eye health. Your eyes are your windows to the world, and without proper care, they could be ailing without you even knowing it. That’s why, in 2003, the National Eye Institute (NEI) established May as Healthy Vision Month.
Healthy Vision Month is a reminder for all of us to take better care of our eyes. From using proper eyewear during potentially dangerous activities to eating a diet rich in eye-healthy nutrients, there are several steps you can take today to ensure your eyes are on the right path to deliver optimum vision throughout your life. And it all starts with getting regular comprehensive eye exams.
5 Ways to Protect and Improve Your Eye Health
1. Get an Eye Exam
Half of all Americans have vision problems, many of which are undiagnosed. The most effective way to identify these eye health issues is through a comprehensive eye exam. During a comprehensive exam, your eye doctor will evaluate everything from peripheral vision and pupillary response to eye muscle strength and eye pressure, among other things. This can reveal most eye health issues.
2. Use Protective Eyewear
Eye injuries are a major cause of blindness among adults and the leading cause of blindness for U.S. children. On the job or on the playing field, protective eyewear is a must when participating in any potentially dangerous activity. Safety glasses, goggles, safety shields and the like can go a long way towards protecting your eyes from injury.
3. Wear Sunglasses
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause serious damage to unprotected eyes. Your eyes can even get sunburned. Exposure to sunlight also increases your risk of cataracts, retina damage and growths on or around the eye. Quality UV-blocking sunglasses are your first line of defense. Select sunglasses that block out 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and 75-90% of visible light.
4. Eat Well
Nutrition plays an critical role in keeping your eyes healthy and working well. Several foods, including leafy greens like kale and spinach, oily fish like tuna and salmon, nuts, beans, citrus and berries have key nutrients that promote eye health. And, of course, carrots are also a great source. The beta-carotene in carrots helps prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, blindness and more.
5. Don’t Smoke
Smoking increases your risk for a variety of eye diseases, including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and more. It also increases your chances of developing diabetic retinopathy and uveitis, a condition affecting the middle layer of the eye. Smoking can also make dry eye symptoms worse.
Do your eyes a favor during Healthy Vision Month by contacting North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Our talented eye physicians will evaluate your overall eye health and identify any issues you should be aware of today or looking ahead to the future.
Call our practice today at 352-373-4300.