Healthy Vision Month is a reminder to get a check-up on your eyes regularly. Knowing your eye health for risks of diseases or potentially needing eyeglasses or contacts is imperative.
As we age, our eyes do as well. You may have always had great vision, but it is essential to receive regular eye exams to ensure that your vision is not changing.
Adults tend to have more vision problems, but children are also at risk especially when young and unable to communicate effectively (CDC)
Important Ways to Ensure Eye Health (NEI.NEH.GOV)
Live a healthy lifestyle
Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam
Wear protective eyewear
Limit phone usage
1. Live a healthy lifestyle
If you have eyeglasses or contacts you should wear them regularly. When wearing contacts, it is important to always take them out with clean hands and wash or dispose of them properly.
Eating foods such as leafy greens or fish can also reduce the risk to your eye health. Foods like spinach and salmon contain omega-3's which reduce the risk of high eye pressure as well as treat dry eye syndrome.
Other foods that contain omega-3s (Healthline)
Mackerel
Cod liver oil
Herring
Oysters
Sardines
Anchovies
Caviar
Flaxseed
Chia seeds
Hemp seeds
Walnuts
Brussel sprouts
Soybeans
Pastured eggs
Omega-3 enriched eggs
Meat and dairy products from grass-fed animals
2. Get a Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam
This eye exam requires a doctor to insert eye drops into your eyes to dilate the pupils. The doctor will look at your eyes and determine what impairments you have or risk for diseases.
3. Wear Protective Eyewear
When in work facilities or on the job, it is crucial to wear protective eyewear to prevent fragments or particles from getting into your eyes.
90 percent of eye injuries can be prevented through the proper usage of protective eyewear.
For leisure or regular days, it is effective to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun's harsh UV rays.
4. Limit Phone Usage
Although the blue light from electronics doesn't directly cause an effect on your eye health, it is vital to limit phone usage. Limiting phone usage will decrease the risk of developing retina problems associated with blue light.
Blue light is found in many different electronics such as:
TV's
Computers/Laptops
Smartphones
Tablets
Fluorescent/LED lighting
Decreasing the amount of time you spend on these devices could save your retinas in the long run.
Medical Conditions that Affect Eye Health
It is important to note that eye problems also advance when there are underlying health conditions. These conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, measles, Lyme disease, autoimmune diseases, etc.,
