July Is National Vision Month: Here Are Five Eye Care Tips

The eyes have it! 

July is recognized as National Vision Month, bringing into focus the value of proper eye health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is partnering with the National Eye Institute to promote vision awareness. 

As we age, the risk for some eye diseases and conditions increases. Seeing a doctor is the best way to ensure good health, but there are some things you can do to give your eyes some love.

• Monitor screen time. Experts advise observing the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 seconds of screen time, take a 20 second break and focus on something 20 feet away. This small tweak goes a long way in helping you avoid eye fatigue when you are on a digital device.

• Eat well. Yes, a good diet rich in nutrients can actually benefit your eyes. Look for items rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc and vitamin C and vitamin A. These are known to ward off some age-related eye conditions. Including macular degeneration and cataracts. Good sources are found in leafy greens, salmon and oily fish along with non-meat proteins, citrus and carrots.

• Put down the cigarettes. Smoking can damage the optic nerve, plus kicking the habit is good for overall health.

• Wear sunglasses. It’s not just your skin that needs protection from damaging ultraviolet rays. Choose a pair of shades that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays. Don’t be fooled thinking polarized lenses will do the job, they don’t necessarily filter out UV light. 

• Stay on top of your health. Conditions like diabetes can impact the eyes. So stay on top of your blood sugar levels. Properly controlling blood pressure is important too, as high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the retina.

Keeping your eyes in good health today can see you well into the future.