Eye Q: Do You Really Know How To Take Care Of Your Eyes?

Eye Q. Do you have it? Do you know how to take care of your eyes? Can you recognize symptoms that may indicate you’re developing cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration?

Here are some tips and suggestions that will help you.

Eye Q: Get Your Eyes Tested at Least Once A Year

It’s very important that you start off by getting a base line eye exam.

A recent survey by the Harris Poll, commissioned by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), found that only 52 percent of people visit their eye doctor on a regular basis.

That’s not a good idea, at all. Not smart. Most serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, are more successfully treated if diagnosed early.

Eye doctors strongly recommend that you get a baseline screening at age 40, with yearly or bi-yearly appointments thereafter.

But, if you or your family have a history of eye problems, more frequent eye doctor appointments make sense.

Eye doctor appointments are comprehensive and can detect more than just eye problems. No pun intended, but your eyes are a window into your entire body. The ophthalmologist can spot diabetes and even certain autoimmune conditions.

Need another reason to book an appointment? Consider this: Eye exams don’t detect only optical conditions.

Eye Q: Eat Smart and Exercise

Eating the right foods can help your eyes stay healthy. For example, spinach, kale and collard greens are loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin. These ingredients help protect your eyes by filtering out high-energy wavelengths of light that can damage the retina.

Also, keep a regular scheduled exercise program. It doesn’t have to be anything high intensive. For example: Fifteen to twenty minutes a day of brisk walking is great. It will keep you at a healthy weight, and lower your risk for Type-2 diabetes. Type-2 diabetes is the number one cause of adult blindness in the United States.

Eye Q: Get Enough Sleep

A 2019 study of more than 6,700 people over age 40 in the U.S. discovered a possible link between glaucoma and sleep deprivation. Vision problems were three times higher for those who got either three or less — or 10 or more — hours of sleep a night. The recommended amount is 7 hours.

Give your eyes a break from the computer screen. Staring at the screen for long periods without taking a short break will cause eyestrain. Take a break every 20 minutes, stretch and walk around your space. Focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

It works, you’ll feel a lot better.