Your eyes are something you rely on every day, and when your vision is clear and your eyes feel fine, you probably don’t give them much thought. But just like every other part of your body, your eyes benefit from healthy habits and routines that help spot problems early and even prevent them in the first place.
Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts is dedicated to helping patients maintain optimal eye health at every age and every stage of life. Here, our team reviews five simple habits that can help you enjoy good vision for years to come.
One of the most important things you can do for your eye health is to schedule comprehensive eye exams regularly. Many eye conditions and vision issues develop slowly, without noticeable symptoms, until irreversible damage has already occurred.
Eye exams aren’t just for people with glasses and contacts. Comprehensive exams give our team a chance to thoroughly evaluate your eye health and look for subtle signs that could indicate a developing problem. Even if you haven’t noticed any changes in your vision, routine eye exams still provide valuable information about your eye health that can help us spot and track changes over time.
Most of us know ultraviolet exposure from the sun or tanning beds is bad for our skin, but the fact is, it’s bad for our eyes, too. Every time you step outside, your eyes are exposed to UV rays, so taking steps to protect them and avoid potential damage is essential.
Fortunately, providing that protection is simple: You just need a good pair of sunglasses. Sure, fashion and style matter, but most importantly, you should choose lenses that block both UVA and UVB rays. A wide-brimmed hat offers additional protection, especially from light that can “sneak in” around the edges of your rims.
For most of us, spending hours staring at our screens is just a part of life. From work and school to leisure and social activities, laptops, phones, tablets, and even televisions have become part of our daily reality.
When it comes to our eyes and our vision, data show excessive screen time is a major cause of digital eye strain (also called computer vision syndrome), with symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and eye fatigue. Fortunately, a few simple changes are all it takes to reduce discomfort and protect your vision.
Start with the 20-20-20 rule: Take a break every 20 minutes to look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Adjusting your screen position, improving lighting, and remembering to blink more often can also help keep your eyes more comfortable while preventing potential long-term problems.
It’s true: As we age, our vision does undergo noticeable changes — for instance, needing reading glasses to see up close. But not all changes are “normal,” and even age-related changes need to be checked to ensure there’s nothing more serious going on.
Even subtle vision changes are always worth reviewing with our team. The tiniest change now could indicate a far more serious problem that could worsen significantly over time, especially when treatment is delayed. That includes changes in the way your eyes feel, too.
You may not realize it, but your eye health is closely connected to your overall health. Chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can affect your eyes, too, which is why managing your health is an important part of protecting your vision as you get older.
Eating a balanced diet full of eye-healthy foods is a great starting point. Getting plenty of exercise, managing your weight, avoiding (or quitting) smoking, and taking steps to manage underlying chronic health issues are also important.
Best of all, these steps don’t just protect your vision — they help you enjoy a better overall quality of life as you age.
Healthy vision is something worth protecting at every stage of life. While you can’t control every change that happens throughout your lifetime, you can take meaningful steps to support your eyes every step of the way.
To learn how we can help or to schedule your next comprehensive eye exam, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts in Bellmore and Great Neck, New York, today.
