Eye conditions are ever-more common, and many of them are associated with age. This should not be perceived to mean that your vision will naturally degrade as you grow older. While there are genetic factors in the development of eye conditions, research is indicating that our general health and lifestyle habits have a lot more to do with optimal visual function than we may imagine.
This is good news! Who doesn’t like to know that they can decrease their risk of conditions such as cataracts and even presbyopia? Here, we outline a few of the insights gained from research.
Protected eyes are healthier eyes.
Just like any other part of the body, the eyes are susceptible to injury. Many people recognize this as it pertains to contact sports, and athletes protect their eyes with special glasses. It isn’t only on the football field that an injury could occur, though; activities such as gardening are common sources of eye injury or irritation. No special eyewear is needed, just a good pair of sunglasses or work-glasses that are sold in home improvement stores will do.
Wearing lenses that protect you from impact or flying debris is one thing. Another way to make sure your eyes are protected is to wear sunglasses every time you go outdoors. UV rays, especially in the middle of the day, are incredibly strong. Proper sunglass protection will block both UVA and UVB rays.
The eyes need nourishment, too.
Too often, we eat to feed our senses, not the various parts of the body. The food that goes in needs to have some value, especially if we desire to enjoy vitality throughout life. According to studies, the eyes can gain a lot from proper nutrition. A diet that is rich in fresh foods such as spinach and kale and ample amounts of omega-3 fatty acids is believed to support optimal eye function.
A Word about Weight
Weight management goes hand in hand with a healthy diet, and it also correlates to eye health. One of the most common weight-related health conditions is diabetes. This chronic disease is also a direct risk to eye problems such as glaucoma and retinopathy. So, while eating habits can be improved to support eye health, simply eating to control your weight also benefits the eyes.
The team at Central Florida Eye Institute provides friendly, professional care to meet your needs. Call (352) 237-8400 to schedule your consultation and ophthalmic exam.