Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Dr. Katia Taba, Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist
The American Academy of Ophthalmology published the following article on Being Proactive about your vision.
As populations age and expand, we will see a significant number of vision problems increase.
Here are 10 ways to care for your eyes today so that you can enjoy healthy vision for years to come.
1. Know your family history: It plays a big role in your vision.
• Many eye conditions are inherited. You have a much higher chance of developing macular degeneration if a close family member is affected by this condition. Your risk of glaucoma is four to nine times higher than average if a family member has it.
• Ask family members about their eye conditions. This can help you and your ophthalmologist watch for conditions before they appear. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision loss.
2. Watch children’s eyes carefully as they grow.
• In childhood, eyes grow and change quickly. Watch for problems like misaligned eyes – these can signal a serious eye condition.
• Keep young children away from cleaning products and sharp objects to prevent permanent eye damage.
• Balance screen time with time outdoors. Too much screen time can cause dry eye and eyestrain.
3. Eat well and exercise.
• Many studies have shown that exercise and a diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables can protect against blinding eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma.
• Eating a diet rich in plant-based foods and low in saturated or animal fats is best for healthy eyes.
• Exercising moderately for 30 minutes a day, five times a week can help protect you from the same eye conditions.
4. Stop smoking.
• Smoking increases the risk for eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Tobacco smoke, including second-hand smoke, also makes dry eye.
• Smoking also raises the risk for cardiovascular diseases which can indirectly influence your eye health.
5. Keep other health conditions under control.
• Chronic health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, if left untreated, can affect your vision. For example, diabetic eye disease is one of the most common causes of blindness.
• Follow your doctor’s guidance carefully and attend all regular medical appointments. Do everything you can to remain in control of your health.
6. Wear sunglasses outdoors.
• Long-term exposure to UV radiation can damage the cornea and the lens and eventually lead to cataracts and eye cancers.
• Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation and wear them even when it’s cloudy outside.
7. Minimize eyestrain at work.
• If you work in an office, sit at least an arm’s length away from the computer and use the 20–20–20 rule throughout the day to give your eyes a break.
• Wear protective goggles if you work in construction or with chemicals or enjoy home improvement projects. More than 90% of eye injuries can be avoided by wearing proper eye protection.
8. Care for your contact lenses.
• Make sure you are washing your hands, storing contacts properly, and using cleaning solution for disinfection.
• Sleeping, showering, and swimming in contact lenses increases your risk for a potentially blinding eye infection.
• If you develop redness, changes in vision or pain, stop wearing your lenses and reach out to your ophthalmologist immediately.
9. If you’re 65 or older, pay close attention to vision changes.
• Starting at around age 40, you may notice blurry close-up vision. This is called presbyopia and it’s fairly common. You may require reading glasses.
• Blurry vision sometimes signals a more serious eye condition such as macular degeneration. Pay close attention to worsening symptoms and get regular eye screenings by an ophthalmologist.
• If you take medications, such as prescription eye drops, be sure to follow the directions as instructed. Talk to your doctor if you are having trouble doing so.
10. Regular eye exams can help you catch problems before it’s too late.
• An ophthalmologist is able to spot eye diseases early—when treatment is most effective—simply by looking into your eye.
Personalized Retina Care of Naples
If you are experiencing any changes in your eye health, whether it is blurry vision, pain, impaired vision, or any other visual irregularities, you should see an ophthalmologist right away. The earlier a disease is detected, the better the outcome and treatment options are for you. You will find a friendly and warm environment at Personalized Retina Care of Naples.
Please call (239) 325-3970 today to schedule your eye exam. When necessary same day appointments can often be accommodated.
Personalized Retina Care of Naples provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for retinal disorders. Dr. Taba also gives second opinions on retinal and general eye conditions. Dr. Taba is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and is Fellowship trained in surgical and medical retinal diseases.
www.retinanaples.com | 239-325-3970
3467 Pine Ridge Rd., Suite 103, Naples 34109
Source:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/healthy-lifestyle-
now-good-vision-later
