Our eyes can be affected by many conditions and diseases, but a good portion of them can be prevented simply by taking proper care of ourselves. In this article we will take a look at a few things that you can do in order to keep your vision healthy.
1. Keeping fit
Exercising is one of the most beneficial activities a person can do for themselves. It boosts confidence, lowers depression and anxiety and helps you be physically healthier, to name a few. Exercising frequently could help you in preventing a number of ocular conditions.
Exercise can help you keep your cholesterol low, which could otherwise affect your vision. When it's too high, it can build up in your eyes in the form of deposits of fatty proteins, called drusen. While having smaller deposits can be somewhat common, a build-up of drusen can eventually damage the macula of your retina and develop into diverse conditions, such as AMD (age-related macular degeneration), which could lead to the loss of your central vision.
High blood pressure and obesity have also been linked to eye conditions such glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Exercising more often can be beneficial in keeping your blood pressure levels under control and reducing the pressure on your arteries, because your heart will grow stronger and become able to pump blood with less effort. It will also help you maintain a healthy weight.
2. A healthy diet
This ties in with keeping yourself fit and goes extremely well with exercises. There are a number of foods which have beneficial effects and can help in the prevention of some conditions. Foods that include zeaxanthin, lutein, vitamins A, C and E are among the healthier choices out there. Here are some foods that have them and that would make a great addition to your diet:
- Many vegetables, like carrots, but especially leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale.
- Foods rich in protein; like eggs, nuts, avocados and fish.
- A number of citrus fruits.
A diet containing these nutrients, combined with exercise, will also help you stay away from type 2 diabetes, which can be very damaging to your organs, including the eyes.
If you're finding it hard to take all the nutrients you need, you can also consider taking nutritional supplements that have been especially designed to aid eye health.
3. Regular medical exams
One of the easiest ways to keep your vision healthy is by having regular eye exams. Visiting your ophthalmologist once every one or two years will allow you to identify and keep track of any conditions that can pose a threat to your vision.
A lot of conditions progress slowly and can sometimes go unnoticed unless observed in an eye exam. Your ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose a condition and, if needed, recommend a treatment to cure it or stop it from developing further, as well as to alleviate any symptoms you might be experiencing.
4. Quitting unhealthy habits
Smoking and drinking alcohol are two major risk factors of many health conditions, including eye diseases.
The abuse of alcohol and cigarettes causes a constant build-up of toxins that can damage different parts of the eye, like the optic nerve and the retina. This can lead to an accelerated rate of macular degeneration, increase the risk of cataracts and even cause toxic amblyopia, which can severely damage vision.
Quitting these habits can help you significantly improve your health and reduce the risks of developing many conditions, but we are aware that this can be very difficult and challenging. Just reducing the frequency with which you smoke or drink alcohol can be beneficial for your health, and your doctor could offer you diverse solutions that can help you if you do make the decision to quit.
In Conclusion
The eyes are our window to the world, which is why it is so important to do our best to keep them healthy. Even if you have lost some sight or have low vision, it is still important to protect your eyes and keep a healthy lifestyle to avoid any further damage.
Aside from these tips, there are also different low vision aids and tools that can help you make the most of your remaining vision so you can perform your daily tasks and enjoy your favourite hobbies. Have a look at our collection of magnifying glasses.