There are many things that we can do to keep our eyes healthy and protect our eyes from diseases. The first step to protecting our eyes is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This is a simple and painless way to ensure that your eyes are free from any conditions or diseases. Even if your eyes feel healthy, some eye problems are painless and asymptomatic at an early stage. A dilated eye exam is the only way to check for diseases early on and can be managed earlier as well.
Although aging is inevitable, the aging process can increase your risk of some eye diseases. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, this can increase the risk of ocular changes which can include diabetic retinopathy that can lead to vision loss or blindness. It is also important to know your family history as certain eye conditions can be genetic. These conditions most popularly include macular degeneration and glaucoma but there are several different eye conditions that can run in families.
Take control of your own systemic health early on. Protecting your overall health can go a very long way in keeping your eyes healthy. It is very important to make healthy choices when selecting foods and staying active during the week. Taking these steps can prevent the conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure which can then in turn manifest in your eyes. Eating healthy foods which includes dark, leafy green vegetables and foods rich in omega 3’s are great for your eyes. If you are a smoker, it is a good idea to try to quit smoking as it can increase your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts as well as cause harm to the optic nerve and blood vessels of your eyes.
Other everyday steps that you can take to protect your eyes include wearing sunglasses when your outside even on cloudy days. You should ensure that your sunglasses block UVA and UVB radiation. Wear protective eye wear such as safety glasses or goggles when performing activities such as construction work, home repairs or playing sports. Rest your eyes when working on computer screens for an extended amount of time by practicing the 20/20/20 rule. This rule states that every 20 minutes you should look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If you are a contact lens wearer, it is important to follow your eye doctors’ recommendations in regards to cleaning, care and length of lens wear in order to prevent infection. You should also always wash your hands before and after touching your eyes.
If you would like to further discuss ways in which you can keep your eyes healthy, call 860-233-2020 to make an appointment with one of our eye care specialists today. Your health is of utmost importance to us and we would love to discuss ways to help keep your eyes and body healthy and functioning.
