• 5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR EYES HEALTHY FOR YEARS

    If you think that your vision is something that was determined by your genetics before you were even born, you’re only partially right. If nearsightedness or farsightedness run in the family, you may need glasses. However, you can avoid a lot of eye problems and keep your vision healthy and sharp for years to come if you live a healthy lifestyle and pay attention to your eye health.

    EAT LIKE A RABBIT

    Your parents probably told you to eat your carrots, “Because you’ve never seen a rabbit wear glasses.” Sure, it wasn’t a very funny joke, but they may have been right. Beta-carotene is really great for your vision. Eating carrots, dark leafy greens, and plenty of fruit will keep your diet rich in beta-carotene, iron, vitamin K, and vitamin C, all of which are known to help your vision.

    In addition to eating a nutritious diet, cold-water fish is another great addition to your diet. It’s rich in zinc — another eye-healthy nutrient. Other eye-healthy foods you should eat for eye health include eggs, beans, nuts, tuna, and salmon.

    QUIT SMOKING AND WEAR SUNGLASSES

    Smoking is strongly linked with the development of both glaucoma and macular degeneration. That’s right, not only is smoking terrible for your lungs and heart, but it can also make you go blind. In addition to that, it’s linked with high blood pressure, which is a cause of diabetic retinopathy, another serious danger to your vision.

    While you’re quitting smoking, wear your favorite sunglasses whenever you go out in the sun. They’ll not only prevent you from getting crows’ feet from squinting too much, but they’ll also protect your eyes from dangerous UV ray exposure. UV rays don’t just cause sunburns; they cause cataracts, too. So, put on your shades, and save your eyes from a permanent sunburn.

    TAKE BREAKS FROM THE SCREEN

    If you work on your computer a lot, you may be putting a lot of stress and strain on your eyes from staring at the monitor. Take periodic breaks throughout the day to look away from the screen, close your eyes, open them, un-focus, focus on something far away, and take a walk and look around at things that aren’t on your computer.

    You’ll feel more energized, and you’ll feel like you can see better because you’re not putting as much strain on your eyes. That means you’ll get fewer headaches, and you’ll feel more relaxed, too. You’ll probably even be more productive at your job, all while saving your eyes!

    REGULAR EYE EXAMS

    Undergoing a regular eye examination is the most important tip for maintaining healthy vision for the rest of your life. Visit your eye doctor for a full eye exam at least once every two years. If you have a prescription, you may want to go once a year. 

Visiting the ophthalmologist (eye doctor) is a great way to make sure that your retinas, corneas, and everything else involved in your vision are all healthy and functioning properly. These exams allow your doctor to see potential problems and disorders before they become symptomatic, which means it’s a lot more likely that your treatment will be painless and effective!

    Call Silverstein Eye Centers today to make an appointment for an eye exam.

    Posted July 29, 2014 by Silverstein Eye Centers
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