5 Vision-Saving Tips for National Save Your Vision Month
March is here — and it's National Save Your Vision Month! In honor of this special month, which not only signals the start of spring but reminds us to protect our eyes, we've put together a list of 5 essential ways that you can save your vision.
It goes without saying that routine eye exams are a top priority when it comes to taking care of your eyes, so here are 5 additional things you can do to keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear.
1. Maintain a Healthy Diet
A balanced diet consisting of all different types of nutritious foods contains the vitamins and nutrients you need to keep your body healthy and strong. Eating foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as vitamins A, B, C and E, can protect your eye health and help save your vision from sight-threatening eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
If you don't think your daily meals offer enough of these essential vitamins and nutrients, ask your doctor whether you should add a daily supplement to your diet.
2. Limit Screen Time
The digital world has created a new eye condition called computer vision syndrome (CVS) — also called digital eye strain (DES) — that's a growing concern among eye care professionals. Not only can too much screen time affect productivity in work and school, but it can also result in dry, red, irritated eyes, blurry vision, headaches, and neck, back and shoulder pain.
This month, take it upon yourself to be more aware of how much time you spend in front of a digital screen. You can also practice the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for a minimum of 20 seconds.
3. Use Protective Eyewear
Every day, thousands of people receive emergency care for an eye-related accident. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is by wearing protective eyewear for all activities that pose an eye health risk — from sports to home-improvement projects that involve small particles like saw dust flying into your eye.
4. Wear Sunglasses All Year Round
Sunglasses shield your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays, which can damage your vision and lead to serious eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. Make sure they offer 100% UV protection. Wear your sunglasses all year round, even on cloudy and snowy days, because the sun's UV rays can penetrate the clouds and reflect off the snow-covered ground.
5. Quit Smoking
If you've been thinking about quitting, now's the time! Smoking is not only dangerous for your overall health, it increases your risk for sight-threatening eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
In honor of National Save Your Vision Month, why not try some of these vision-saving habits that can help you keep your eyes and vision healthy for a lifetime. Interested in learning more? Contact Eyecare Professionals of Gahanna in Gahanna today to schedule an appointment.
Q&A
Do children need to wear sunglasses? Yes, sunglasses are essential for protecting your child's eyes both now and in the future. A child's eyes are still maturing and are therefore even more susceptible to UV damage than adults.
What are sports goggles? Sports goggles are a type of protective eyewear worn by many athletes. These goggles contain impact resistant, durable polycarbonate lenses, offering the ultimate eye protection during sports activities.