See How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Imagine losing your sight or suffering from seriously diminished vision. It could be challenging. That’s why it’s so important to do what you can now to protect your eyes and keep them as healthy as possible. The National Institute on Aging (NIA)¹ suggests these seven actions to protect your eyes:

• Prevent eye strain by taking breaks when using the computer
• Wear sunglasses and a hat to shield your eyes from sunlight
• Choose healthy foods
• Stay active and maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking if you still do
• Keep your blood pressure in check
• Manage diabetes if you have it

Frequent Eye Exams Are Vital

To maintain healthy vision, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)² recommends you get your eyes examined regularly. That’s because early treatment is extremely important if you want to keep common eye disease from leading to permanent vision loss or even blindness says the CDC³. You may have heard of these ailments mentioned by the CDC⁴ before:

• Cataracts which can cause vision loss
• Diabetic retinopathy which leads to blindness per the CDC⁵
• Glaucoma which can damage the optic nerve
• Macular degeneration which breaks down eye tissue with age according to the CDC⁶

Unfortunately, many adults don’t visit the eye doctor regularly. In fact, of the 93 million adults in the US only half went to an eye doctor over the past year notes the CDC⁷. That’s not good. Per Mayo Clinic⁸, if you’re over 60 you should get your eyes examined every 1 to 2 years. That’s especially true if you need to use eyeglasses, eye disease runs in your family, or you have diabetes or another chronic disease says Mayo Clinic⁹.

Watch For These Warning Signs

As noted, you should see your eye doctor every year or so. But if any of the following occur, you should call your doctor right away per WebMD¹⁰:

• Light flashes
  
• Sudden changes to your vision
• Pain in your eye
• Tunnel vision
• Eye redness or swelling
• Double vision

According to the American Academy of Ophthamology¹¹ June is Cataract Awareness month, making it the perfect time to put getting your eyes checked for this debilitating disease on your calendar. Cataracts are a common condition that if untreated can lead to vision loss says the Cleveland Clinic¹². Cataracts are cloudy areas that develop in the lens of the eye states Cleveland Clinic¹³. Surgery to address cataracts is very safe and one of the most common surgeries in the US notes Cleveland Clinic¹⁴.

The CDC¹⁵ reports that the number of blind and visually impaired people in the United States will likely double by 2030. Take action now to help avoid becoming part of this large and growing group. If you haven’t already, set up your next eye doctor visit so you can detect any problems early says WebMD¹⁶ — when they’re easiest to treat. Then, as WebMD¹⁷ recommends, be sure to eat healthy, don’t smoke, protect your eyes from injury, and manage any chronic diseases that may arise. Your vision is too precious to risk.