The health of your eyes is no different from your overall health in that preventative care can help prevent many eye conditions with damaging affects. Many times, patients with eye conditions don’t know there is a problem until they experience vision loss or it is seen in an eye exam.
Even though many eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration are genetic or age-related conditions, preventative care can slow the damaging effects and prevent potential vision loss. Here are a few things you can do to help maintain your eye health:
Eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Some nutrients, such as vitamins B, C and E, carotenoids, zinc, magnesium and Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids can protect your vision. Colorful fruits and vegetables are a rich source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C and carotenoids.
A lack of vitamin A in your diet can cause night vision problems, dry eyes and can lead to some eye infections. Vitamin A is also found in beef, chicken liver, cod liver oil, milk and eggs. Vitamin C is thought to reduce the risk of developing cataracts or macular degeneration and is found in many orange and red fruits, green bell peppers, broccoli and kale. Carotenoids found in colorful vegetables, including lutein and zeaxathin can protect your eyes from retina damage by the sun’s UV rays.
Wear protective eyewear. When outside, even on cloudy days, be sure to wear sunglasses that protect against 100 percent of the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays. Overexposure to the sun can increase your risk of developing cataracts or macular degeneration. Some contact lenses also protect against UV rays, though they should not be counted on to protect your eyes alone. When possible, wear a wide-brimmed hat as well as sunglasses to best protect your eyes. It is also important to wear protective eyewear when participating in sports activities or work-related activities that could result in injury to the eye.
Don’t smoke. Smoking is associated with vision loss as it can increase chances of cataracts, macular degeneration and dry eyes, which can result in infection.
Maintain your overall health. High blood pressure and diabetes can result in eye conditions leading to vision loss. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and maintain your body’s overall health to help reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and other eye conditions.
See your eye doctor regularly. Just as you should make an appointment with your primary care physician for an annual checkup, maintaining regular eye care appointments could actually save your vision. In the same way, just as you exercise and eat a specific diet to keep your body healthy, the similar preventative care can protect your eyes as well. Click here to schedule a comprehensive exam with an experienced eye doctor at Key-Whitman.
Don’t wait until you experience vision loss to see your eye doctor. Your health and daily routine can help slow the effects of many eye conditions and may even prevent eye conditions all together.
When considering your eye care, be sure to stay up to date with the latest news and information about our life-changing services at Key-Whitman Eye Center. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay connected!
