Your sight is important to who you are. You use it all day, every day. It’s definitely something that is hard to lose. Taking care of your eyes is just as important as watching your weight, or getting physical examinations. Here’s how to best keep an eye on your sight.
Routine Examinations
By far the most important method of eye care is routinely visiting an eyecare professional. This means visiting once every year or two, depending on several factors including age and genetic history. The best and sometimes only way to correct a problem before permanent vision loss occurs is to treat a problem before it gets out of hand!
Be Aware of Changes
If you notice your vision becoming blurry, if you notice that you are more sensitive to light, or if your vision changes in any significant way, contact your eye doctor immediately. Do not wait for the problem to become worse, as this may lead to permanent vision damage.
Know Your Family History
Check with other family members to see if you’re genetically predisposed to certain eye diseases. A history of high blood pressure or diabetes in your family can contribute to certain disorders such as glaucoma or cataracts. Differences in race or ethnicity may have an impact on genetic predisposition.
Diet and Exercise
Studies show that regular exercise and a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and dark, leafy greens can reduce the risk of eye diseases such as macular degeneration or cataracts. Be sure to eat a balanced diet and exercise for at least 30 minutes each day.
Protect Your Eyes From Sunlight
UV radiation can wreak havoc on the internal systems of your eyes. Always wear sunglasses when outdoors during the day, and make sure the sunglasses have UV protection.
Avoid Too Much Screen Time
Be sure to look away from your screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes and take a 15 minute break every hour. Frequent overuse of computer screens can lead to trouble focusing on distant objects, dry eyes, and headaches.
Quit Smoking
Smoking affects every part of your health, including your eyes. Smoking increases the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, and many other eye related ailments.
Avoid Eye Injury
Wear safety goggles when working with chemicals, playing sports hockey or lacrosse, or operating machinery. Always be sure you are protecting your eyes. Simple eye injuries can lead to more problems if left untreated, so seek medical attention if you become injured.
If you have questions about eye health, or would like to start scheduling appointments, contact Commonwealth Eye Center at your earliest convenience.