May is Healthy Vision Month

What does that mean for you? It means that now is the time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.

While these are one of the exams we may often let fall by the wayside, they are extremely important to maintain our eye health. Comprehensive eye exams serve several purposes. During these exams, pupils are widened with eye drops or viewed without dilation through a special camera. This allows your eye doctor to check for vision problems and eye diseases, verify what stage of diseases your eyes may be in, and helps determine if you need glasses, contacts or other treatments.

Why Comprehensive Eye Exams Matter for All Ages

Children: Pediatric exams test for visual acuity, lazy eye, color vision, ocular health, and more. These are extremely important to test for the school years ahead.

Older children and teenagers: Myopia (nearsightedness) is one of the biggest concerns. It is important to identify and treat early with glasses or contacts as children and teens begin to learn in larger spaces, play sports, and drive.

Adults: Adult exams are recommended at least every two years. Exams for adults are necessary to catch eye conditions that can cause vision loss including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.

5 Ways to Protect Your Vision

1. Healthy eating. Add dark, leafy greens and seafood high in omega-3 fatty acids to your plate.
2. Protective eyewear. Whether you're chopping wood, mowing the lawn, or working on DIY projects, protective eyewear is key. Blue-light protection glasses should also be considered.
3. Sunglasses. Sunglasses help protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation. Not all sunglasses provide the same level of protection — let us help you pick the best pair!
4. Clean hands. Wash your hands before putting in and taking out your contacts to avoid infection.
5. Stop smoking. Smoking can increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and more.

Happy Healthy Vision Month! Get your appointment in the books with Eyecare Professionals of Gahanna today.