Eye health problems are responsible for millions of Americans suffering from severe vision loss. These problems aren’t limited to the elderly or those who experience an unfortunate accident. Anyone who takes their vision for granted risks poor vision health. In many ways, the body is like a machine such as a car. Those most likely to experience car problems are precisely those who never do preventative maintenance. Likewise, if you aren’t doing anything now to keep your eyes in good health, the chances are good that your luck will run out someday.
Healthy adults should see an eye doctor every other year. If you have vision problems, adhere to your doctor’s suggested follow-up appointments. Don’t wait until a vision problem occurs before seeing a doctor, because some conditions don’t have obvious early symptoms. By the time you notice that something is wrong, the eye condition could be at an advanced stage.
Pay Attention to Your Diet
The eyes require specific nutrients for good function and to fight off age related problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. These nutrients include zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, zeaxanthin, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids. These are found in citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, oily fish, beans, nuts, eggs, and oysters. A healthy diet also prevents other health problems that adversely affect eye health such as type-2 diabetes.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking increases your risk of getting age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Smoking also causes type-2 diabetes, which as mentioned previously, can harm your eyes. Type-2 diabetes is a major cause of blindness.
Protect Your Eyes from UV
UV blocking prescription glasses or sunglasses protect the eyes from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. UVA in particular, deeply penetrates the eye and slowly damages its lens and the macula on the inside back surface of the eye. UVA accelerates age related problems such as eye cataracts and macular degeneration. It also causes wrinkles around the eyes and increases the risk of skin cancer of the eyelids and the skin area below the eyes. UVA is a hazard even on overcast days.
Nike prescription glasses offer complete UV protection in the form of a lens coating or with UV blocking lens materials such as polycarbonate and Trivex. These options are also available with Nike prescription sunglasses.
Be Careful When Using Digital Screens
Computers, tablets, and smart phones can cause eyestrain, headaches, and dry eyes. Staring at a digital screen without rest breaks can cause the eye muscles that control the shape of the lens to “cramp” so that it can’t relax enough for the eyes to adjust to far distances. This causes blurry vision when looking up from your device. Too much staring at a screen also reduces tear production, which leads to dry eyes. Take a 20 second break every 20 minutes by looking at a distant object at least 20 feet away. When looking at a screen, deliberately blink your eyes more to stimulate tear production.
Of the above digital screen issues, dry eyes cause the most problems. Dry eye complications include increased risk of infection, inflammation, increased risk of corneal abrasion, and corneal ulcers. The cells that make up the eye’s outside surface are completely dependent on a tear film, and will die without it.
Look after the health of your eyes because they’re both indispensable and irreplaceable. The above tips are especially important if you have a family history of eye health problems, because many eye conditions are hereditary. Seeing your eye doctor in this case is particularly important. If you’re looking for a new pair of glasses or sunglasses, please check out our large selection of Nike prescription eyewear.Contact us if you require our help.
