Every year since 2003, the National Eye Institute has observed "Healthy Vision Month" in May. Around 37 million adults in the United States have a serious eye disease, such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. All of these eye diseases can cause significant vision impairment or blindness. However, the risk of these eye illnesses can be reduced by making healthy choices and regular eye exams.
Every year, you check off your annual physical and every six months you get your dental appointment on your calendar; however, often our yearly eye exam falls to the wayside. It's vital to take care of your eyes, and Healthy Vision Month is the ideal time to find out how you can best take care of your eyes. There are many easy ways to protect your eyes during your late twenties and early thirties that will also benefit your overall health.
Here are 5 ways to re-focus yourself this month for the benefit of your overall health, specifically your eye health.
1. Watch what you eat - Eating foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids, such as tuna and salmon, and dark leafy greens can help your maintain a healthy weight and provide benefits to your eye health. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important because excess weight can increases the risk of developing diabetes, which can lead to vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
2. Quit smoking & Get moving - What might seem like a harmless vice can be damaging to your eye health, just as much as your risk of cancer is elevated through smoking. Smoking can increase the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts. Replace your unhealthy habit of smoking with going to the gym. Exercise will help improve your circulation, which leads to increased blood flow. Your eyes greatly benefit from good blood flow.
3. Ask your mom - It is important for you to know your family medical history. Use the month of May to ask your family if anyone you are blood related to has been diagnosed with any eye diseases. Eye diseases are often hereditary, which can make you have a higher risk for developing these diseases yourself.
4. Get your shades out - Sunglasses are incredibly helpful in protecting your eyes from the damage that the sun's rays can cause. Excessive exposure to sunlight can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygiums. It is important to check the labels on your fashionable shades to make sure that they have been approved to block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays.
5. Book an appointment - Now is the time to schedule your annual eye exam. It can often fall through the cracks. But Health Vision Month is the perfect time to turn your attention to your eyes. By taking care of your eyes now, even if you are only in your twenties, you can help prevent vision loss in the future. Let our team at Allied Eye help you find the best ways for you to keep your eyes health throughout your whole life.
