Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy
According to the CDC, almost 12 million people who are over 40 years old in the United States, have vision impairment. Since your eyesight is important, helping you to process the world around you, taking care of your eyes is essential to your overall health. January is National Eye Care Month so start 2023 off right with tips to help you care for your eyes.
If you can’t remember the last time you had an eye exam, now is a great time to schedule one. Annual eye exams can help monitor developing eye diseases. Early detection allows your doctor to address any issues before they progress, helping to maintain your vision. Having a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the best way to detect issues like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration which often won’t present warning signs.
Smoking negatively affects your eyes as it does the rest of your body. Quit smoking now or run a higher risk of cataract and optic nerve damage, which can result in loss of sight.
We can find ourselves spending lots of time on our electronic devices and your eyes need a rest from the strain of squinting, especially when looking at the small screen of a smartphone. To minimize eye fatigue, practice the 20-20-20 rule. When using your electronics, look away every 20 minutes for 20 feet for 20 seconds. Make this a regular habit and help the strain on your eyes.
Use sunglasses all year round to protect your eyes from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. If you’re not using prescription lenses, shop for sunglasses that block out up to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays for optimal benefit.
Your diet impacts your sight, so incorporate fruits and vegetables for eye health. Spinach, collard greens, kale and other dark leafy greens provide nutritional benefits as well as omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like tuna and salmon.
By following these simple hints, it is possible to maintain your eye health all year long. Remember to schedule your annual eye exam. By doing so at the same time each year, around your birthday or right after the new year begins, it is easy to remember when to make an appointment.
If you’re thinking about senior living options for yourself or a loved one, CarePatrol is here to help. By asking the right questions about your needs, requirements, desires and budget, we can give you options for communities that would be the right fit for you. We are committed to staying by your side during the process, from accompanying you on community visits to making move in day less stressful.