Tips to prevent vision loss

Your eyes are an important part of your health.There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure you see the best you can. Follow these simple guidelines to maintain eye health well into your golden years.

Perform a comprehensive examination of dilated eyes.You may think there is nothing wrong with your vision or that your eyes are healthy, but visiting a vision rehabilitation center for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to truly be sure. When it comes to common vision problems, some people don't realize that they could see better with glasses or contact lenses. Additionally, many common eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration, often have no warning signs. Examination of dilated eyes is the only way to detect these diseases in the early stages.

During a comprehensive dilated eye exam, your ophthalmologist puts drops in your eyes to dilate or widen your pupil to allow more light into the eye—just like an open door lets more light into a dark room. This process allows your ophthalmologist to take a good look at the back of your eyes and examine them for any signs of damage or disease. Only your ophthalmologist can determine whether your eyes are healthy and whether you can see well.

Maintain your blood sugar levels. 90% of blindness caused by diabetes is preventable. Ask your healthcare team to help you set and achieve goals for controlling your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, also known as ABC diabetes.

  • A1c: The goal set for many people is less than 7% for this blood test, but your doctor may set different goals for you.
  • Blood pressure: High blood pressure causes heart disease. For most people, the goal is less than 140/90 mmHg. Art., but your doctor may set other goals for you.
  • Cholesterol: LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, accumulates and clogs blood vessels. HDL or “good” cholesterol helps remove “bad” cholesterol from the blood vessels. Ask what your cholesterol numbers should be.

Find out your family's eye health history.Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It is important to know if someone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition as many are hereditary. This information will help determine if you are at higher risk of developing an eye disease or condition.

Eat right to protect your vision. You've heard that carrots are good for your eyes. But a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale or collard greens, is also important for keeping your eyes healthy. Research has also shown that Eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and halibut, is good for eye health.

Maintain a healthy weight.Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic diseases that can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.

Wear safety glasses. Wear safety glasses when playing sports or doing household chores. Safety eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, face shields and goggles that are specifically designed to provide adequate protection for the activity you are doing. Most eye protection lenses are made from polycarbonate, which is 10 times stronger than other plastics. Many eye doctors sell safety glasses, as do some sporting goods stores.

Quit smoking or never start.Smoking is just as bad for your eyes as it is for your entire body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and optic nerve damage, which can lead to blindness.iii, iii

Stay calm and wear dark glasses.Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun's UV rays. When shopping for sunglasses, look for ones that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation.

Let your eyes rest.If you spend a lot of time on the computer or focus on one thing at a time, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes may become tired. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This short exercise can help reduce eye strain.

Wash your hands and contact lenses thoroughly. To avoid the risk of infection, always wash your hands thoroughly before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. Be sure to disinfect your contact lenses according to the instructions and replace them as needed. 

Follow eye safety guidelines in the workplace.Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment. When safety glasses are required as part of your job, get into the habit of wearing appropriate glasses at all times and encourage your co-workers to do the same.

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