How to Maintain Healthy Vision

Unfortunately, our eyes are one of the last things we think about taking care of. Unless someone needs a new prescription, they often don’t even visit an eye doctor. However, taking care of your eyes and maintaining good vision health is extremely important.

May is Healthy Vision Month, and we want to share a few tips on how you can protect your eyes to have healthy vision for years to come.

Get an Eye Exam

While you might think your eyes are healthy, the only way to know for sure is to get a comprehensive eye exam. Some eye diseases don’t have noticeable symptoms early on, and an eye exam is the only way to detect them. During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist may dilate your eyes to assess the health of your eyes. At our office, however, Dr. Ball uses Optomap, a non-dilating camera. This camera takes a 200-degree picture of the retina. This process allows Dr. Ball to get a detailed look at the retina without dilation.

Invest in Sunglasses

Sunglasses protect your eyes from ultraviolet light that can cause serious damage. But it’s not enough to purchase a cute pair from the store. Look for sunglasses that completely block out UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Diet and exercise have a lot to do with your vision health. For example, being obese can increase your risk of diabetes or other conditions that can lead to vision problems. Eating nutrient-rich foods can contribute to your eye health. Carrots aren’t the only food that’s good for your eyes. Other fruits and vegetables, especially dark greens, are great for keeping your eyes healthy. Additionally, if you smoke, quit! Smokers have a higher risk of developing macular degeneration, cataracts, and other vision problems.

Study Your Family History

If vision problems run in your family, it’s good to know about. Talk to your family members to find out if anyone in your family has an eye disease. Many eye diseases are hereditary, and you may be at a higher risk of developing vision problems if someone in your family has been diagnosed with an eye disease.

Use Protective Eyewear

Wearing protective eyewear during certain activities can protect your eyes from being damaged by accident. For example, athletes should wear protective eyewear during sports, even if the eyewear isn’t required to play. Use UV protection during all outdoor sports like soccer, baseball, snowboarding, or water skiing. And if you’re just working on projects around the house, you should still have a pair of protective eyewear to protect yourself from hazardous chemicals, flying debris, or projectile objects.