Healthy Vision Month: How You Can Protect Your Eyesight

It’s important for those of all ages to protect their vision. This is especially the case for aging adults. May is National Healthy Vision Month.

Do you know the steps necessary to keep your eyesight in peak condition?

If you have blurry vision, double vision, floaters, eye pain, headaches, trouble seeing up close or far away, you absolutely need to be seeing an ophthalmologist on a regular basis. Eye disorders can escalate quickly, and many times, eye problems are overlooked but can be debilitating or even cause blindness. This is the case with glaucoma and macular degeneration. Keep in mind that many eye diseases do not have any initial symptoms.

EYE EXAMS ARE ESSENTIAL
The first and most critical step is to see your ophthalmologist for dilated eye exams regularly. Dilated exams are critical for your eye doctor to determine any new or changing vision issues, or in many cases, other disorders can also be detected during an eye exam. Some patients may require eye exams more often if a warning indicator or disorder is being watched for progression.

PROTECT YOUR EYES
Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside or while driving, even on cloudy days. Just like our skin, our eyes absorb large amounts of UV rays, and over time, this can lead to age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and eye melanomas. Protecting your eyes with sunglasses that have UV protection coatings is imperative.

NUTRITION
The food and supplements that are critical for heart and brain health are also important for eye health. The American Academy of Ophthalmology lists 36 foods and supplements to improve or maintain eye health, including Vitamin A, C, and E, brightly colored fruits and vegetables, Omega 3-fatty acids, and cold-water fish, leafy greens, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc to name a few.

KEEP DIABETES AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHECK
Diabetes and high blood pressure can exacerbate eye disorders and diseases like glaucoma. If you have diabetes, it is especially important to know that regular eye exams can save your sight. Many people with diabetes develop issues that can lead to blindness or very low vision.

TAKE BREAKS FROM SCREEN TIME
Excessive time in front of our devices seems inevitable, but it’s important to take breaks and allow your eyes to refocus. Too much screen time leads to dry eye, irritation and vision issues.

THE NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTES AREDS & AREDS2 STUDIES
Researchers with the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) reported in 2001 that a nutritional supplement called the AREDS formulation can reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The original AREDS formulation contains vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-
carotene, zinc and copper.1

In 2006, the same research group, which is based at NIH’s National Eye Institute, began a second study called AREDS2 to determine if they could improve the AREDS formulation. They tried adding omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are in the same family of nutrients as beta-carotene. The researchers also tried substituting lutein and zeaxanthin for beta-carotene, which prior studies had associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. The study found that while omega-3 fatty acids had no effect on the formulation, lutein and zeaxanthin together appeared to be a safe and effective alternative to beta-carotene.1

Quigley Eye Specialists, founded in 1988, creates patients for life by providing the highest level of quality eye care and service to the community. Core Values include:

Technical Excellence – They always strive for excellence in everything they do.

Treat All Patients as Guests – They create patients for life with care and kindness.

Teamwork – All Quigley team members are equally important.

Productivity – They take initiative to be efficient and innovative.

For more information, call (239) 466-2020 or visit www.QuigleyEye.com.

Quigley Eye Specialists
675 Piper Blvd., Naples, FL 34110
(239) 466-2020 | www.QuigleyEye.com

About Quigley Eye Specialists
Technology leaders in eye care, Quigley Eye Specialists is one of the nation’s leading multispecialty ophthalmology practices specializing in cataracts, laser cataract surgery, glaucoma, LASIK, dry eye, eyelid surgery, retinal issues, corneal conditions and routine eye care. As the number one choice for cataract treatment in Southwest Florida, Quigley Eye Specialists is committed to providing the highest level of quality eye care and service to the community. The practice has served the region for more than 30 years and offers patients convenient locations throughout Florida including: Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehjgh Acres, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Coral Gables.

 

Reference:
1. AAO, “Healthy Eyes,” Vitamins, American Academy of Ophthalmology aao.org, 2019
https://www.nei.nih.gov/areds2