Your vision is important, and it can be easy to take for granted, especially if you’ve always had good eyesight. Protecting your eye health is essential to ensure that you continue experiencing clear vision.
Every month the American Academy of Ophthalmology dedicates attention to raising awareness on an eye health topic. At Eyecare Medical Group, we believe these observances are vital, as they help patients learn about eye health and vision concerns.
As May is Healthy Vision Month, it’s an excellent time to learn about the overall importance of healthy vision and get tips on keeping your eyes healthy. Keep reading to learn how to nurture your eyes during Healthy Vision Month!
The Importance Of Healthy Vision Month
Even if you have great vision and don’t need glasses or contacts, it’s still crucial to protect and monitor your eye health. As people age, problems like cataracts and age-related farsightedness are extremely common.
So, you can’t be sure your vision will never change. Understanding how to care for your eyes and prevent vision issues can lessen the risk of developing certain problems.
It’s also important to note that some vision problems are genetic and unavoidable. However, you can still follow daily tips to keep your eye health from worsening.
How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy
If you’ve noticed signs your vision is getting worse, the best thing to do is contact your eye doctor at Eyecare Medical Group. However, it’s also important to follow these five simple tips to help maintain your eye health:
Drink Enough Water
Drinking water is a super simple way to help your eye health. Your eyes have lots of fluid, and this liquid ensures your eyes can remove debris when you blink.
So, staying hydrated ensures your eyes are adequately moisturized.
Plus, drinking enough water is also good for overall health and wellness, so keeping a water bottle with you is always a good idea.
Help Your Eyes During Screentime
Many people have to use digital screens for their jobs, communication, or leisure time. While you might not be able to cut down on screentime, there are still things you can do to reduce the strain on your eyes.
When looking at a computer screen, take a 15-minute break every two hours. You should also take a 20-second break every 20 minutes where you focus on a point far away from the screen. This is called the 20-20-20 rule.
Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses look great and come in many different styles, so you can show off your personality and fashion sense. Even more importantly, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays from the sun.
So, when you buy sunglasses, check that they protect from UV-A and UV-B radiation. Make sure you always wear sunglasses when out in the sun or while driving in the sun.
Use Protective Eyewear When Needed
Eye and vision health is also about preventing injury and damage from external sources. So, always wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities where your eyes are at risk.
Also, if you work in certain professions, such as with chemicals or in construction, ensure you follow all the safety regulations surrounding eye protection.
Some examples of protective eyewear include safety goggles, safety shields, and eye guards. You can find these products from an ophthalmology office or most sporting goods stores.
Get Routine Eye Exams
Even if your vision seems normal, you should see an eye doctor regularly for an eye exam. These exams are the only way to know for sure that your eyes are healthy and your vision is stable.
In fact, you might not even know that you’d see better with glasses.
Most adults should see an ophthalmologist once per year, especially if they already have a prescription or have underlying conditions like diabetes.
Is it time for you to have an eye exam? Schedule an appointment at Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, ME, today!
