Are you protecting your vision with appropriate eye care? Keeping your eyes healthy with regular eye care will help ensure eye health as you age.
Regular Eye Care Appointments
You should visit your optometrist for a complete eye exam every year or every other year, even if you have no vision problems. Some eye conditions don't produce signs or symptoms, including glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. The only way to detect them is through an eye exam.
Your eye doctor will likely start an exam by taking a physical history. Tell your doctor about your family's eye-health history, so your doctor can determine if you are at high risk for eye conditions that may run in families.
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Your eye doctor will perform a series of vision tests that can spot potential problems early. The first test will determine how well you can see. If your vision is not where it should be, your doctor may prescribe glasses or contact lenses to improve your sight.
An eye pressure test will check if you have glaucoma. This disease causes high amounts of pressure inside the eye. It can lead to blindness if not treated.
Other tests check various measures of eye health, such as:
- Depth perception
- Color vision
- Eye muscle movements
- Peripheral vision
- Pupillary response to light
If you have vision problems, your doctor may do additional tests to fit you with the most appropriate corrective contact lenses or glasses.
Guard Your Eyes
Eye care means keeping your eyes safe every day. Avoid sun damage and physical damage by choosing sunglasses that block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Wear protective glasses when you play sports or are working in an occupation or situation that presents eye hazards. An ounce of prevention may just save your vision.
Let your eyes rest. Too much computer or screen time can result in eye fatigue. Take periodic breaks to prevent eye strain.
Also, prevent eye infections through good eye care. Keep your hands clean when touching your eyes. Follow your eye doctor's instructions carefully when caring for your contact lenses. That includes keeping lenses disinfected and replacing them as recommended.
Eat for Eye Health
Your overall health is an important part of eye care. Maintain a healthful diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach.
Look for foods rich in these nutrients that assist eye health:
- Vitamin C protects your eyes against damage from ultraviolet light.
- Vitamin E helps prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common eye disease that is a leading cause of vision loss and can lead to blindness.
- Zinc also helps prevent AMD.
- Beta-carotene helps both your daytime vision and night vision.
- Omega-3 fatty acids also protect eye health. These acids are found in fish, particularly fatty fish like salmon or tuna.
Maintain a healthy weight. It will reduce your chances of developing diabetes, which can lead to eye disease, and it can also help prevent glaucoma.
Finally, don't smoke. Cigarettes can increase your risk of developing diseases including AMD, cataracts and other problems that may lead to blindness. For more information about eye care and to learn more about common eye medicine available to treat eye health conditions, visit our Eye Care Page.
