Vision is a gift—seeing a child’s face light up with joy, watching a spectacular sunrise, looking out over a mountain vista are all beautiful sights we can enjoy. Considering how precious good vision is to you and your loved ones, taking some time to learn how to protect that vision is a worthwhile investment.
The board-certified ophthalmologists at Colorado Ophthalmology Associates of Denver, CO, in conjunction with the National Eye Institute recognize May as National Healthy Vision Month. Let’s look at a few easy ways to protect our vision.
Your Ophthalmologist is your friend
Going to your annual comprehensive dilated eye exam is the easiest and most painless way to track your eye health from year to year. A dilated exam is essential for looking for eye diseases in their earliest stages. Our experienced ophthalmologists know just what to do when examining your eye health.
Knowing your risk factors for eye disease can help in your discussions with your ophthalmologist. Try to come to the appointment with a family history of eye conditions, if possible. Your weight, family history and nationality are all contributing factors that may put you in the higher risk category.1
Some eye diseases can cause blindness or impairment. Among these are cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.2
Exercise is not just for muscle tone
Getting regular exercise can contribute to healthy vision. Keeping a healthy weight can reduce your risk of eye disease. By keeping chronic diseases at bay, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart and high cholesterol, you can maintain healthier vision.1
You are what you eat
Some foods are good for the eyes such as green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, carrots, and omega-3 rich foods like salmon, trout and tuna.2
Blow off bad habits
If you smoke or vape, now is the perfect time to stop. Smoking is hard on your eyes and can contribute to eye disease such as macular degeneration and cataracts. It can also harm the optic nerve.1 Some of these harmful results are not reversible. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking.
Shades are more than cool
Wear UV-rated protection via sunglasses to protect your eyes against damaging rays from the sun. Choose glasses rated to block 99 to 100% of ultraviolate A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.2
Play it safe
Wear protective eye gear when playing sports, working in the shop, working at your job or working around the house.3 This is the easiest way to prevent eye injuries. Talk to your ophthalmologist about the right eye protection for your favorite activities.
Get a comprehensive eye appointment today
Ready to take the first step towards healthier vision? Call one of our two Colorado locations in Denver or Lakewood today to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive, dilated eye exam.
Bring your family health history for comparison so your ophthalmologist can gauge your risk factors. Schedule visits for the whole family, even preschoolers. Many conditions can be helped if caught early, such as lazy eye.
Denver: 303-320-1777
Lakewood: 303-989-2023
1 https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/keep-your-eyes-healthy
2 https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/healthyvisionmonth/index.htm
3 https://www.aoa.org/news/inside-optometry/aoa-news/may-is-healthy-vision-month?sso=y