It’s never too soon to start taking steps to protect our eyesight.
Wear Sunglasses to Protect Against the Sun
- Wear sunglasses when outdoors in the sun.
- Wear sunglasses when driving, especially on sunny days and at nighttime.
- Always wear them during sports activities, such as playing tennis or golfing (you can even get prescription lenses if you need them).
Get Regular Eye Exams
One of the most important things you can do to protect your eyesight is to get regular eye exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends an annual comprehensive eye exam for everyone and says that those over age 60 should have their eyes checked every year or two.
- If you have a family history of vision problems, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, then scheduling regular eye exams is especially important because these conditions tend to run in families.
- If you have diabetes or other health problems such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels (which are common among people with diabetes), then it’s essential that you see an optometrist at least once per year so that any changes in vision can be caught early on before they become permanent damage.
A Healthy Diet Can Benefit Your Eyesight
A healthy diet is one of the best ways to help protect your eyesight. The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) recommends eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as drinking plenty of water (about eight cups per day). This can help reduce the risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration and age-related vision loss.
Drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes can damage the optic nerve and increase your chances for eye disease such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy—a severe form of diabetic eye disease that damages retina cells. If you smoke, stop! You’ll also benefit from getting enough sleep: Research shows that sleep deprivation can increase pressure inside your eyeballs (intraocular pressure), which may lead to glaucoma or other eye problems over time.
It’s Never too Soon to Start Taking Steps to Protect Our Eyesight
The first step is wearing sunglasses that block UV light, especially when you are in the sun for long periods of time. Sunglasses can also help protect your eyes from windblown dust and sand, which can scratch the surface of the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped front part of your eye).
If you have any signs of vision problems, such as blurry or double vision; sensitivity to light; or pain behind one eye that gets worse when you blink or squint, schedule an appointment with an optometrist immediately, so they can diagnose what’s causing the problem and recommend treatment options if needed.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand the importance of protecting your eyesight. As we’ve seen, there are many things that can damage it, but it’s never too late to start taking steps toward keeping your vision healthy.
Get in touch with our eyesight specialists today at 519-941-6761.
