Almost 20 million Americans — roughly 8% of the population — have vision problems, including permanent vision loss. While vision loss affects people of all ages, it’s especially common among older people; in fact, people over age 65 have about three times the risk of vision loss compared with younger people.
The team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts is dedicated to helping patients maintain good vision throughout life, with comprehensive eye exams and guidance tailored to each person’s unique needs. Here, learn nine steps you can take to maintain healthy eyes and reduce your risk of vision problems.
You are what you eat, and that includes your eyes. Be sure to include plenty of foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with zinc and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, nuts, and fatty fish are all good staples to include in an eye-healthy eating plan. Watch your intake of sodium (salt) and sugars that can increase your risks of hypertension and diabetes, chronic illnesses that can cause eye damage and vision loss, too.
Physical activity benefits your health in many ways, including your eye health. Regular exercise improves circulation, ensuring your eyes get the needed oxygen and nutrients. Plus, exercise has also been shown to reduce the risk of glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness.
Many of us spend long periods staring at computer screens or phones, a habit that can lead to chronic eye strain and dry eyes. Adopting the 20-20-20 rule can help: Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to look at an object about 20 feet away to relax eye muscles and avoid strain.
We all know too much ultraviolet (UV) exposure from the sun or tanning beds can be bad for our skin — but it’s not good for your eyes, either. Before heading out, make it a practice to protect your eyes with sunglasses that block out 99%-100% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays to reduce the risk of vision problems and eye cancers.
Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs and your heart — it’s bad for your eyes, too. Smoking damages the tiny vessels that supply your eyes with oxygen and nutrients, increasing your risks of glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as damage to your optic nerve.
Whether engaging in sports, home repair, or work-related activities, wearing protective eyewear, safety shields, or goggles designed specifically for your activity is important. Protective eyewear helps avoid impact injuries or exposures to chemical fumes or other products that could damage or irritate eyes and lead to vision problems.
Finally, having regular comprehensive eye exams is one of the best ways to prevent vision problems at every age and every stage of life. Comprehensive eye exams use an array of special techniques to evaluate eye health and look for early signs of vision problems so they can be addressed as early as possible. Exams can spot early signs of some systemic health problems, too.
Our team is dedicated to providing patient-centered care tuned to the needs of the individual patient. During your exam, we’ll evaluate your personal and family risk factors for vision problems, helping you make informed choices to reduce those risks and help you enjoy clear vision.
To schedule your exam or have any current vision issues evaluated, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts in Bellmore and Great Neck, New York, today.
