February is low-vision awareness month, which means now is a good time to check up on your vision and take care of your eyes. As you age, it is vital that you take care of your eyesight, especially as vision is one of the first things to get impacted as you get older. Eyes are delicate organs and thus require extra care in order to keep them healthy and functioning. Below are some recommendations to maintain your vision and protect your sight for years to come.
Schedule an Annual Eye Exam
Life gets so busy that it’s easy to forget to go to the eye doctor. However, eye exams are essential to protect your visual health. Unlike regular physicals where your primary care physician shines a line into your eye to check your eye health, optometrists conduct a series of routine examinations to check on every part of your eye. These examinations include retinal exams, corneal exams, vision exams, and much more; these tests can help catch problems such as glaucoma and cataracts, which could lead to blindness if left untreated. Past the age of 40, eyes tend to have trouble focusing on smaller print, a problem that can be fixed by a visit to the eye doctor. Optometrists can write new or adjust old glasses prescriptions, as well as advise you on treatments best suited for your specific visual needs.
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
In today’s age, many of us are spending hours in front of a screen, whether you work from home or at the office. Prolonged blue-light exposure can lead to irritation and strain in the eyes. Focusing on a screen that’s close in proximity to your face can also make it harder for your eyes to adjust to objects farther away. A good rule to put into practice is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a break from the screen and focus on an object that’s approximately 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. By taking frequent breaks, you can mitigate eye strain and preserve your eye health. Make sure to enable the blue-light filter on your mobile devices to reduce strain during night-time.
Eat Your Vegetables
Although eating carrots to improve your eyesight has been proven as a myth, it is important to make sure you are intaking enough vitamins and nutrients to maintain your health, especially in your eyes. Vitamin A and beta carotene are big factors in preserving eye health, and deficiencies in these nutrients can negatively impact your vision. Lack of vitamin A can lead to dry eye and night-blindness, a condition where one is unable to see in low-light. Studies have also shown vitamin E as a contributing factor in preventing cataracts. Major sources of vitamins are fruits and vegetables, including carrots. Make sure to have a balanced diet with 3-4 servings of fruits/vegetables every day.
Vision is one of our most important senses, and with February being low-vision awareness month, it’s important to learn how we can best protect our precious eyesight. By following these tips and checking in with your eye doctor, you can keep your eyes healthy and continue to see for many years to come.
If you or anyone you know needs care, please visit our website for information or contact us at (732)-964-0062.
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