Tips for Healthy Vision
Most of us know the importance of taking care of our hearts and other organs as we age, but sometimes it’s easy to overlook other aspects of our health, such as our vision. July is Healthy Vision Month. It’s a time for us to check in with our vision and ask ourselves what we can do to maintain our healthy vision.
Protect Your Eyes
One of the best ways to maintain your vision is to protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses when you’re outside to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Be aware that not all sunglasses protect the eyes. You’ll want to find a pair that blocks up 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. And sunglasses aren’t just helpful for sunny days. They can also keep your eyes from over-drying on windy days.
You’ll also want to protect your eyes during activities that have the potential to cause an eye injury. If you’re doing home maintenance, swimming, or anything else that could harm your eyes, be sure to wear protective eyewear.
If you wear contacts, take care of your contacts to reduce the risk of developing an eye infection. Make sure you’re changing your contacts when you’re supposed to and only wearing them for the recommended amount of time. Also, make sure to never place a dirty or used contact in your eye, as it’ll significantly increase your risk of developing an infection.
Allow Your Eyes to Rest
We live in a digital age where we’re spending a lot of time on our phones and other smart devices. If you spend a lot of time looking at a screen, be sure to give your eyes a break every so often. Not allowing your eyes time away from the screen can cause eye discomfort and headaches.
Smart devices are not the only screen that can cause discomfort. You also want to give your eyes a break from computer screens and televisions. If you are looking at a screen and feel mild eye pain, take a few minutes to look away from the screen or close your eyes. Just a few minutes of rest may be all you need for the discomfort to subside. If eye pain persists even after a rest, talk to your doctor to make sure there’s no underlying condition causing the pain.
Attend Routine Eye Exams
Even after your doctor prescribes glasses, you still want to visit your eye doctor regularly. Your eyes will continue to change with age, which means you may need to update your prescription yearly. And if you do wear prescription glasses, make sure to wear them as prescribed by your doctor. Failing to wear your glasses can cause unneeded strain and damage to your eyes.
But routine eye exams are not just for those who wear glasses. They’re an excellent way for your eye doctor to monitor your overall eye health. Attending exams regularly also helps your doctor identify potential risks early on.
When visiting with your eye doctor, be honest about any vision changes you may have experienced, even if they don’t seem alarming at the time. Giving your doctor updates on your vision makes it easier for them to monitor for potential health concerns. And the sooner they are alerted to a problem, the easier it is for your doctor to provide care and limit the chances of severe or long-term symptoms.
Take Care of Your Overall Health
Maintaining your overall health can go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy. Do your best to stay active and eat fresh produce and lean meats. Eating nutritious foods and regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing diabetes and high blood pressure that can lead to vision problems.
In addition to your exercise and food habits, you also want to limit unhealthy lifestyle choices such as excessive drinking and smoking. Smoking is one of the most harmful habits and can cause vision conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts. If you’re having trouble quitting, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
If you or a loved one lives with a vision impairment that makes it difficult to complete household tasks, the team at Visiting Angels Grand Junction, CO can help. Our caregivers work with seniors to make independent living possible. They assist with everything from light housekeeping and meal preparations to transportation and personal grooming. Our Grand Junction office serves those in Mesa Country, Colorado. If you’d like to learn more about our services, you can complete this online form or give us a call at 970.254.8888.