A Guide to Caring for Your Vision
October 16th, 2017
It’s hard to underestimate how much you depend on your vision throughout your daily life. You use your eyes for everything — when you are driving, reading a book, playing with your children, and cooking dinner.
But in spite of how important your eyes are, many people neglect their eyes and don’t take care of them like they should. Don’t take your vision for granted — here are 6 ways you can care for your vision:
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Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Did you know that a diet rich in antioxidants could reduce your risk for cataracts? The foods you eat play a significant role in the health of your eyes. Make sure you are eating plenty of dark, leafy greens and foods that are rich in omega 3’s.
And according to the AAO, regular exercise can reduce your risk for macular degeneration. And you should avoid smoking or excessive drinking.
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Wear sunglasses outdoors
Remember how everyone made such a big deal about wearing special glasses during the eclipse? That’s because the sun is hard on your eyes.
Exposing your eyes to the sun’s UV rays puts you at increased risk for cataracts and other eye problems. Make sure you wear sunglasses with UV protection every time you are outside.
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Get regular checkups for high blood pressure
If left untreated, high blood pressure can wreak some serious havoc on your body. Along with heart and kidney problems, high blood pressure can also cause problems with your vision.
It can damage the blood vessels in your retina causing a serious condition called hypertensive retinopathy. Make sure you stay on top of your yearly checkups with your primary care doctor.
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Watch out for eyestrain
Do you spend a lot of time working on a computer or other digital device? Then you could be at risk for something called eyestrain. Eyestrain can cause headaches, blurry vision, and dry eyes. Plus, it can make your workday a lot less enjoyable.
To protect yourself from eyestrain, make sure the lighting in your office is not too bright and causing a glare from the computer screen. Sit at least 20 inches away from the computer screen. And make sure you give your eyes regular breaks.
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Watch out for changes to your vision
The truth is, even if you live a healthy, active lifestyle you could still develop a common eye disease. Fortunately, most vision problems are treatable if caught early enough. Make sure you look out for any changes to your vision and call your doctor immediately if you notice anything.
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Have yearly comprehensive eye exam
Of course, the best way to protect your vision is by scheduling yearly comprehensive eye exams with your doctor. Your doctor will make sure your prescription is up-to-date and check for signs of eye disease and other vision problems.
If you have fallen behind on your yearly eye exams there is no reason to fret — schedule your eye exam with Dr. Danny Lee in Huntsville or Decatur, AL today!
