When you were young, your parents might have told you to avoid reading in dimly lit rooms and to sit back from the television. While these pointers can help to reduce strain on your eyes, you can also do so much more to preserve their health over the years. These five strategies are all easy enough to start doing today, and each one can play a role in how well you see as you get older.
Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake
Smokers are twice as likely to develop age-related macular degeneration compared to people who never use tobacco products. Smoking and drinking excessively both impact the blood vessels in your eyes. When the vessels are constricted or blocked, then your eyes can’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need to stay healthy. If you find it hard to quit using this substances, then check into support groups that can make it easier.
Plan Regular Visits to the Eye Doctor
Approximately 93 million adults in the United States are at a high risk for vision loss, but only about half of these people saw an eye doctor within the past year. Annual checkups help you to identify eye conditions earlier when treatment works the best. If you have a known condition, then meeting with an eye specialist can help to keep them under control. Whether you need surgery or injections, staying on top of your current eye care needs helps you to stay healthy.
Practice Good Weight Management
Being overweight increases your risk for heart disease, which can restrict blood flow to your eyes. It also raises the possibility that you could develop diabetes or already have this condition. In either case, you’ll want to work on achieving a target weight that offers you the best protection against developing vision loss.
Protect Your Eyes From UV Rays
Exposure to UV rays increases your risk of developing eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Find sunglasses that offer the highest level of protection against the sun’s rays, and wear them anytime you are outside. You can also use hats and try to stay in the shade as much as possible to further protect your eyes. If you are receiving treatments for eye conditions at a Brooklyn NY ophthalmology clinic, then remember that eye protection is essential for improving your outcome.
Prevent Infections and Injuries
If you play sports or work in an industry that raises the risk of eye injuries, then make sure to wear safety goggles and other eyewear that is designed to prevent you from getting hurt. You’ll also want to follow the proper procedures for handling contacts or administering eye drops after a procedure. Avoiding infections and injuries helps you to keep your eyes from experiencing damage that could lead to permanent vision loss.
Many of the things that you can do to take care of your eyes are just good for your health all around. Eating well, avoiding injuries and quitting smoking all help you to feel and see better at the same time. As a final note, remember that these strategies can prevent eye conditions but they can’t cure existing ones. Continue to work with your eye doctor to treat known conditions as you watch out for any new symptoms that need professional attention.