Maintaining good vision is closely tied to caring for your whole body. The National Eye Institute offers eight straightforward habits that can help you safeguard your eyesight as you age.
1. Choose an eye doctor you trust
Many eye conditions develop without early symptoms. A trusted eye doctor can detect problems before they cause vision loss. Ask friends and family for recommendations and verify coverage through your health‑insurance plan.
2. Schedule dilated eye exams as advised
A dilated eye exam is the most effective way to catch eye disease early, when treatment is easier and vision can be saved. Your doctor will set the exam frequency based on your personal risk factors.
3. Increase daily movement
Regular physical activity reduces the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure—both of which can harm vision. Incorporate movement into everyday tasks: walk while on the phone, stretch during TV breaks, or dance while doing chores.
4. Discuss eye‑health history with family
Conditions such as glaucoma and age‑related macular degeneration can run in families. Talking with relatives about any known eye problems helps you and your doctor assess risk and take preventive steps.
5. Eat foods that support eye health
A diet rich in dark, leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens) and omega‑3‑rich fish (salmon, tuna, halibut) helps prevent diabetes and hypertension, lowering the chance of vision‑related complications.
6. Wear sunglasses that block UV rays
UV exposure can damage both skin and eyes. Choose sunglasses that block 99‑100% of UVA and UVB radiation to reduce the risk of cataracts, even on overcast days.
7. Manage chronic conditions
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, work with your physician to keep these conditions under control. Proper management can significantly lower the risk of glaucoma and other eye diseases.
8. Quit smoking
Smoking increases the likelihood of macular degeneration and cataracts. Developing a quit‑plan can improve overall health and protect your eyesight.
Test your eye‑health knowledge with a quick quiz and find more resources at nei.nih.gov/hvm.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
