February 4, 2022
Why is eye health essential?
Your eyes are a crucial part of everyday life, regardless of your age. With your eyes, you are able to see – to connect to other individuals, view your surroundings, complete work, and much more. In fact, 80% of what you perceive around you, comes through your sense of sight. No matter how old you are, your eye health is important.
Are there any food suggestions or natural remedies for eye health?
Important nutrients to help support healthy eyes include: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc. Overall, it is best to focus on dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, egg yolks and fish such as tuna, salmon and halibut. These vitamins may help slow down the progression of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—a disease that results in vision loss in the macula, where the eye controls central vision.
What are some facts that you think people should know?
To keep your eyes healthy, there are many steps you can take. The first is to get a dilated eye exam. You could have a problem and not even know it because many eye diseases don’t have symptoms. It’s also important to take care of your overall health. Maintaining healthy eating habits, being active, knowing your family’s health history and quitting smoking all can contribute to good eye health. Another excellent step is to protect your eyes. You can do this by wearing sunglasses (even during the winter and on cloudy days), wearing safety goggles while doing home repairs or playing sports and resting your eyes when using the computer for a long time. For those who wear contact lenses, it’s important to remember to wash your hands before you handle your contact lenses. Don’t forget to disinfect your contact lenses and get new ones regularly.
How often should people see their eye doctor?
Regular visits will vary, depending on the patient’s age, family history and current health. To give an approximation, a good idea is to see the doctor once every three years if you’re under 50 and once per year when you turn 50.
What are some tips for people who work at a computer all day for their eye health?
One recommendation is the 20-20-20 rule. Individuals should take a break every 20 minutes to look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s also important to keep your monitor bright, so there is less “computer flicker,” which can lead to eyestrain and headaches.
