Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in General Eye Health on May 15, 2020
Are you trying to learn more about how you can keep your eyes healthy? Did you know there is a whole month dedicated to healthy vision?
May is Healthy Vision Month. Why do we need a whole month dedicated to healthy vision? It’s important to educate people and help them realize their vision is priceless.
Keep reading to learn more about Healthy Vision Month and how to keep your eyes healthy!
How do you keep your eyes healthy?
The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to get regular eye exams. Having a comprehensive eye exam includes getting your eyes dilated to check your vision.
Your eye doctor will also check your eye pressure, refraction, the interior of your eyes, the retina, and depending on your age, they will look for glaucoma.
Eye exams are the perfect time to talk to your ophthalmologist about if you need glasses or want to try out contacts. Make sure to stick to the schedule for eye exams that your eye doctor recommends.
Are eye exams important at a specific age?
Eye exams are important at all ages. While it is more common to hear about older adults having vision issues, younger children can have them too.
Most preschools do not offer vision screenings or eye exams. For this reason, make sure your child has an eye exam. Preschoolers can have a lazy eye or sight problems.
For adults, conditions your eye doctor looks for are:
- Cataracts: Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma happens when increased eye pressure causes damage to the optic nerve.
- Age-related Macular Degeneration: This condition happens when your central vision is slowly affected.
When should you see your eye doctor?
Besides getting your regular eye exam, it is important to pay attention to your vision. If you start to notice any changes, it is important to see your eye doctor.
Early detection is key to preventing many eye conditions from progressing or causing blindness.
It’s not normal if you experience the following:
- Vision problems
- Eye pain
- Red eyes
- Double vision
If you do start experiencing any of these, you should see your eye doctor and rule out any problems with your vision. You may also want to see them if you see floaters in your vision, notice halos around lights, or see bright flashes of light.
What foods should I eat for healthier eyes?
Eating healthy is one of the keys to staying healthy. It allows you to maintain a stable weight, prevent diabetes, and keep your eyes healthy.
Eating foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals is important. For the healthiest eyes, eat lots of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
This includes foods like halibut, oysters, salmon, eggs, milk, flaxseed, walnuts, kale, spinach, and canola oil. There are many more but this is a good starting point!
How can I protect my eyes?
When you are outside, make sure to wear sunglasses. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun.
Also, if you play sports, make sure to wear proper eye protection, so your eyes stay safe. Prescription eyeglasses are not enough to protect your eyes. Make sure you wear goggles or other eye protection when playing sports for the most protection.
Do you think it is time for an eye exam? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR to see one of our eye doctors!
