Each May, we celebrate Healthy Vision Month and it offers a great opportunity to learn about eye health and to ensure you recognize the importance of regular comprehensive eye exams in maintaining overall eye health. It’s easy to take our vision for granted, but vision is arguably the most important of the five senses, and any type of vision loss can significantly impact your quality of life.

One of the goals of Healthy Vision Month is to encourage people of all ages to take proactive measures to protect their vision and address potential vision problems before they can become big issues affecting your eyesight permanently. Here are some great tips to help keep your eyes in top shape:

1. Schedule Annual Eye Exams: Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good eye health. By visiting your eye care provider annually, they can detect potential problems before they become serious issues, and comprehensive eye exams can aid in the early identification of health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure before they become bigger issues later in life.

2. Take breaks from digital screens: Spending long hours staring at digital screens can cause eye strain and fatigue, headaches, and blurred vision. When viewing digital screens, make sure to take regular breaks, and follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for 20 seconds, and focus on something 20 feet away.

3. Eat “eye-friendly” food: A healthy diet is crucial for maintaining good eye health, so now is a great time to look at your diet and make some changes. Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, can help reduce the risk of eye diseases including macular degeneration and cataracts. Some foods that promote eye health include leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, and fatty fish.

4. Protect your eyes from the sun: UV rays from the sun can damage the eyes, so it's important to choose and wear sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection when you are outside. Additionally, wearing a hat with a brim can help block out some of the sun's harmful rays.

5. Avoid smoking: Smoking is linked to a higher risk of several eye diseases, including macular degeneration and cataracts. Eliminating a smoking habit can reduce your risk of these eye diseases and also improve your overall health.

6. Wash your hands frequently: Ensure that your hands are clean, especially before touching your eyes, and avoid sharing towels or other personal items that may come into contact with the eyes. Doing this simple step will greatly help prevent the spread of eye infections.

Maintaining healthy vision not only benefits your vision, but your overall health. By scheduling regular eye exams in addition to physical exams, your healthcare providers can work together to make your vision last a lifetime! Call us today to schedule your annual exam!